Sunday, June 28, 1998
Mile High Stadium, Denver, CO
6:00pm Kickoff - clear, sunny, 88deg.
Colorado Rapids vs Leon (Mexico)
Excerpted from Live Game Update
In their first major international game, the Colorado Rapids play Leon of the Mexican 1st Division, in the qualifying round of the CONCACAF Champions Cup tournament. The Rapids earned the right to play in this tournament by virtue of their reaching the MLS championship game vs DC United.
Since the 1st whistle of the game, the effort to take control by both teams has been decidedly physical, with numerous play stoppages. Leon players have been targeting Chris Henderson, taking him down at every opportunity. Referee Kevin Skinner has been trying to talk to them to stop hacking, but to no avail.
After 20 minutes of play, there seems to be more game stoppages than actual play. Both teams are guilty.
Finally, after the 23rd minute and 2 yellow cards, the teams have started to play. By the 30th minute, the game has finally become exciting with attacks and counter attacks.
Colorado's top scorer and key forward, Paul Bravo, is sitting out this game as a result of an injury incurred during practice this week. Waldir and Wolde Harris are the two strikers for the Rapids.
A curious spectacle, two Leon players were yelling at each other in the midfield, pushing and shoving... all this while other Leon players were taking a corner kick. Finally, Leon's goalkeeper and captain, Angel Comizzo, ran up and separated them.
At the end of the 1st half, the score is 0 - 0
USA World Cup player, Marcelo Balboa is back and dressed for this game. He is expected to play sometime in the 2nd half. Balboa played for Leon before joining the Colorado Rapids. This is a double homecoming for Balboa.
By the end of the 1st half, there were 23 fouls committed, almost 1 every 2 minutes (12 by Colrado and 11 by Leon) There were 3 yellow cards given: 2 to Leon and 1 to the Rapids.
In the 2nd half, both teams' play continues to improve, with several opportunites to score by each side.
In the 61st minute, Rapids coach, Mooch Myernick, walked over to Marcelo Balboa and asked him to warm up.
In the 71st minute, Colorado's Balboa came in for Waldir, and Marquis White came in for Wolde Harris. The crowd stood up and cheered for Balboa.
Attendance = 7,442
Balboa, in the 83rd minute, scored on a great cross from Adrian Paz.
Colorado leads 1 - 0
TAKE THAT, Steve Sampson!!