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Colorado Rapids

Rapids drop 1-0 decision to Earthquakes

June 29, 2005 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release


Late Goal By Dwayne De Rosario Hands Colorado Loss On the Road; Black and Blue Returns to Denver for July 4th Firework Extravaganza at INVESCO Field

SAN JOSE, CA (June 29, 2005)- The Colorado Rapids dropped a 1-0 decision to Western Conference rivals San Jose Earthquakes tonight at Spartan Stadium with a late goal by forward Dwayne De Rosario.

The first opportunity of the night came in the fourth minute, when Alain Nkong's shot 20 yards out went just inches wide of Pat Onstad's left post. Nkong found a rebound at the top of the area and did not hesitate to try a powerful right shot on goal that had the Earthquakes goalkeeper beaten, but bent to the outside of the post.

The second opportunity of the night for the Rapids came six minutes later, when Jeff Cunningham was denied by Onstad's right post. The league's leading scorer found another free ball bouncing 10 yards outside the home team penalty area before one-timing it with a right-footed shot. The ball bounced once in front of Onstad, who attempted to make the save, but was unable to touch the shot that hit the post before being cleared off danger.

Joe Cannon was called upon a couple of minutes later, when he came quickly off his line to steal a through ball from the feet of the onrushing Alejandro Moreno.

A 20-yeard shot by midfielder Guy Melamed in the 29th minute off a free kick was contained by a well positioned Onstad to keep the score even.

San Jose's Ricardo Clark came close to scoring for the home team in the 48th minute when he finished a 50-yard sprint with a powerful shot that hit Cannon's left post. Clark collected the ball in midfield before running down the right flank of Colorado's territory leaving his opponents behind. His shot attempt was not a clear one thanks to the close marking of Rapids defender Mike Petke, who pressured him while he pulled the trigger.

Luchi Gonzalez' shot in the 61st minute was denied by Onstad with a spectacular save. The Rapids forward, who collected a ball 10 yards from the San Jose area made a quick move to his left leg on the run to create enough space to get a shot on goal from seven yards out. The low shot, aimed to the left post of Onstad's goal, was deflected by the 6'4" goalkeeper, who stretched his full frame to deny the goal.

A minute later Ronald Cerritos was denied by Cannon on a one-on-one situation. Cerritos found himself running alone towards the goal on a quick breakaway, but his attempt to beat the 2004 Goalkeeper of the Year to his near post was denied by Cannon, who once again came quickly off his line.

Gonzalez had a golden opportunity to put the visiting team ahead in the 76th minute when he found a loose ball just at the top of the Earthquakes area. He controlled the ball and unleashed a low shot that was contained by Onstad to preserve the shutout.

The Earthquakes found their way onto the board with a late goal by Dwayne De Rosario in the 88th minute of the match. Brian Mullan drove the ball down on the right side before passing it to Nash, who was at the top right corner of the visiting team's penalty area. Nash turned and returned the ball to Mullen who slipped a pass into the heart of Cannon's penalty area where De Rosario collected it, turned and scored with s powerful right shot giving the Earthquakes the three points.

The Black and Blue will travel back to Denver where they will host the Kansas City Wizards in the already traditional July 4th Fireworks extravaganza on Monday, July 4th at 7:30 p.m. (MT) at INVESCO Field at Mile High. For the 10th season in a row, the Rapids will treat Colorado fans to the Biggest and Best Fireworks show in the state, that will include this year close proximity Fireworks on top of the almost 20 minutes of continuous Fireworks display.

LINEUPS- COL- Joe Cannon, Ricky Lewis, Mike Petke, Nat Borchers, Eric Denton(Wolde Harris 90'), Leo Cullen, Kyle Beckerman (Ritchie Kotschau 52'), Guy Melamed, Alain Nkong (Jean Philippe Peguero 71'), Luchi Gonzalez, Jeff Cunnigham

SJE- Pat Onstad, Kelly Gray, Danny Califf, Eddie Robinson, Wade Barrett, Brian Mullan, Ricardo Clark, Dwayne De Rosario, Mark Chung, Ronald Cerritos, Alejandro Moreno(Julian Nash 83')

SCORING- COL- NONE SJE- Dwayne De Rosario(Brian Mullan, Julian Nash 88')

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