April 10,1999
Mile High Stadium
Denver, CO
7:10pm Kickoff - 51 deg., clear, and warm
Colorado Rapids vs Miami Fusion
1999 marks the Rapids' 3rd Season in Denver, and we look forward to an exciting season and play offs.
Coach Mooch Myernick has put together a cohesive team with new international stars like Swedish Midfielder, Andres Limpar, and Panamerican forward, Jorge Dely Valdes.
Leading the Miami Fusion is Columbian Superstar, Carlos 'El Pibe' Valdorama.
Colorado's Rapids' Star Paul Bravo suffered an injury and will not be playing tonight.
Both teams have had a slow start:
The Colorado Rapids need a win today, but so does Miami Fusion. This promises to be an exciting game.
In the 5th minute of the game, a mistake by Rapids' Defender, Peter Vermes, resulted in an interception by a Fusion player. This started in a dangerous attack by Miami who almost scored, except for a great save by Rapids' GK, Marcus Hahnemann.
In the 12th minute, a shot by Balboa was barely saved by Fusion GK, Jeff Cassar.
So far, with 25 minutes into the game, the two most productive Rapids players are Balboa and Hahnemann.
The Fusion through passes, mostly by Valderama, are 'killer passes'. So far, the Rapids defense has been able to prevent the Fusion from scoring. So far both teams seem to be evely matched. Paul Bravo is sorely missed so far.
In the 32nd minute, the game remains tied 0-0.
By the end of the scoreless 1st half, the game lacks movement by players from both teams. Hopefully, Coach Myernick will be able to motivate the Rapids players to attack more dangerously.
In the 48th minute, Miami scored an own goal, giving Colorado a 1-0 lead. No Colorado Rapids player was credited with the goal.
In the 49th minute, Wolde Harris scored their 2nd goal, with assists from Ross Paule and Matt McKeon.
Score is now
Colorado Rapids 2 Miami Fusion 0
In the 54th minute, Miami Gaucho Ginchly counter attacked, dribbled through Colorado's defense and passed the ball to #17 who scored.
Score is now
Colorado Rapids 2 Miami Fusion 0
In the 67th minute, Colorado's Dely Valdes scored with a header ball, assisted by Andres Limpar. Dely delivers!!
The score is now
Colorado Rapids 3 Miami Fusion 1
The pace of the game has now picked up with both teams pressing. Miami has increased its attacks, but the Colorado Rapids are holding strong.
In the 77th minute, Wolde Harris scored on an assist from Balboa and Limpar.
The Score is now
Colorado Rapids 4 Miami Fusion 1
Colorado Rapids' Wolde Harris was announced as 'Player of the Game'.
Colorado Rapids 4 Miami Fusion 1