Thursday, June 25, 1998
Mile High Stadium
Denver, CO
7:00pm Kickoff - clear, sunny, 91deg.
Colorado Rapids vs DC United
Excerpted from Live Game Update ...
... in a replay of the 1997 MLS Championship Game.
In the 2nd minute, Colorado's Ross Paule scored in a scramble in front of DC United's goal on an assist from Waldir. This is Paule's 5th goal in the last 6 games.
The matchup in 1998 is lopsided. Coming into today's game, Colorado is in 5th place in the Western Conference with 6 wins and 9 losses. DC United is in 1st place in the Eastern Conference with 13 wins and 4 losses.
In the 20th minute, Waldir's soft finesse touch on the ball, drove past DC United's defender, ran for goal, passed to Paul Bravo to Adrian Paz who scored. Colorado leads 2 - 0, and is playing with confidence.
Colorado attacks continue. Waldir is playing with increased determination.
In the 27th minute, Colorado's Chris Martinez made a run on goal, passed the ball to Chris Henderson, heading it to Paul Bravo, who scored. Colorado's lead is now increased to 3 - 0.
DC United is star studded, with Marco Etcheverry, John Harkes, Jaime Moreno, and Roy Lassiter. Colorado Rapids team is climbing out of a poor season start, very similar to the 1997 season. It appears that they are succeeding in digging themselves out. Coach Mooch Myernick has reshuffled his team, and has been successful ever since. He benched many of his initial starters, and brought on several of his younger players. Ross Paule has certainly justified Mooch's confidence. He has been scoring once or twice in the last few games.
In the second half, DC United has increased its attacks. Colorado's Goalkeeper, Marcos Hahneman made several saves, with the help of Trittschuh and Vermes.
Etcheverry has moved up as the attacking midfielder, to try to increase DC United's chances to score.
DC United scored in the 68th minute. AJ Wood scored, assisted by Ben Olsen and Geoff Aunger. This was Wood's 1st goal for DC United.
The game ended with the Colorado Rapids winning 3 - 1
Player of the game is Colorado's Goalkeeper, Marcus Hahnemann ... a well deserved selection.
The Colorado Rapids announced the official attendance for tonight as 9,132.
The game has been very entertaining for Colorado fans, and certainly deserves a much larger crowd.
Colorado Rapids' next game is scheduled for Sunday, June 28, 1998, against Leon of Mexico in their 1st of their 2 game home and home series in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.