October 8, 1996
Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado (attendance=13,117)
In their 2nd game of the best of 3 playoff series, the Colorado Rapids defeated the Kansas City Wizards 3-2 in a well played, hard fought game.
In a do-or-die game, KC Wizards played a high pressure game in the first half, but had to resort to hacking, encroachment, and an obvious attempt to disrupt and intimidate the Colorado Rapids. They were more effective and dangerouse in the first half, which ended in a 1-1 tie. KC's goal was scored in the 9th minute by Digital Takawarra, assisted by Uche Okafor. Rapids' goal was scored in the 16th minute by Paul Bravo, assisted by Chris Henderson and Sean Henderson.
In the 2nd half, the KC Wizards setpped up the pace and increased their on and off the ball hits, earning several yellow cards. Rapids' defender, Matt Kmosko, made a brilliant run up the right, beat Wizards' midfielders and defenders and made a great cross to Paul Bravo who scored in the 68th minute.
Marcelo Balboa, the heart of Colorado's defense, was assigned the center midfielder position, and succeeded in effectively shutting down the MLS all time leading scorer, Preki. Balboa was subjected to numerous fouls. He did not allow that to distract him, but appeared to make him more determined.
In the 83rd minute, Wolde Harris, Colorado's most colorful forward scored a goal assisted by Paul Bravo and Marcelo Balboa. Balboa later demonstrated his scissor kick ability by clearing the ball down the field. In the 88th minute, with all the Wizards attacking the Colorado goal, Preki succeeded in scoring a goal, assisted by Digital Takawarra.
The 3-2 final score launched the Colorado Rapids to their next playoff round against the Dallas Burn ... the Western Conference Championship Series. Game #1 will be played in Dallas, October 12, 1997, and will be televised on ESPN at 11:00 am Denver time.
Special Commendation must be given to Colorado Rapids' Coach Glenn "Mooch" Myernick for his exceptional job, so far this year. He is certainly a candidate for Coach of the Year Honors.
Winners of both the Eastern and Western Conference playoffs all won by 2-0 best of 3 game series.
In the Western Conference, Colorado defeated Kansas City, and Dallas defeated Los Angeles. In the Eastern Conference, DC United defeated New England Revolution, and Columbus defeated Tampa Bay. DC United barely squeezed by the Revolution, winning after a long shootout.