MLS Colorado Rapids

Rapids Celebrate Independence Day With 4-0 Win Over New York

Published on July 4, 2008 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release


COMMERCE CITY, CO. (Friday, July 4, 2008) - The Colorado Rapids upped their all-time record on the Fourth of July to 11-1-1 with a 4-0 defeat of the New York Red Bulls in front of a Dick's Sporting Goods Park record crowd of 18,776.

Colorado's game-winning goal in the 24th minute was only the third first half goal of the season. The Rapids would add another just 12 minutes later and became 6-0-0 on the year when scoring the first goal.

The Rapids jumped on the board first in the 24th minute when Tom McManus misdirected a Colin Clark cross in front of the net pass Jon Conway for the 1-0 lead. The Colorado score came from a well developed attack out of the Rapids' defense on a nicely timed pass to Clark from Facundo Erpen.

In the 36th minute, the Rapids increased their lead to 2-0 on another three pass play that set up Mehdi Ballouchy for his first goal of the season. Conor Casey pushed the ball out wide right to Terry Cooke, who sent a hard low-angle cross to the near post that an on-coming Ballouchy was able to finish.

Rapids ‘keeper Bouna Coundoul came up with a beautiful score preserving diving save in the 41st minute on an open look shot from Dave van den Bergh.

Clark put himself on the score sheet four minutes into the second half. After receiving the ball on the left side the Fort Collins native dribbled into the six yard box and slammed a shot to the far post.

Halftime substitute Omar Cummings scored his fourth goal of the season in the 69th minute. The Jamaican took a pass from McManus at the top of the box before beating one defender and slotting the ball past Conway.

The victory was Colorado's second of the season in which they won 4-0 in front of a home sell-out crowd, with the first coming in the season opener versus Los Angeles on March 29.

Colorado will play two matches next week as the Rapids host Mexican First-Division club Tigres on Wednesday, July 9 at 8 p.m. MT at Dick's Sporting Goods Park for their first international friendly of the season, and then travel to San Jose to face the Earthquakes on Sunday, July 12 at 2 p.m. MT.

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