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MLS Colorado Rapids

Burn Top Rapids 1-0 in Overtime in U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinal

August 8, 2002 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release


DALLAS (Wednesday, August 7, 2002) - A double-overtime goal in the 111th minute by Dallas midfielder Ronnie O'Brien was all the Burn needed tonight to earn a 1-0 victory and a trip to the semi-final round of the nation's oldest tournament - the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The back-and-forth game that saw 38 shots between the clubs ended following a high cross into the Colorado box, long after exhaustion had set in for both sides.

The first half of play opened up into a stalemate, somewhat reminiscent of the July 27 matchup between the clubs at INVESCO Field. The Rapids posted the first dangerous chance of the game in the 4th minute as midfielder Carlos Valderrama sent a high ball into the box for a streaking Chris Carrieri. A bit of defensive pressure saw the speedy forward lose his footing near the penalty spot as Burn goalkeeper Matt Jordan stymied the opportunity.

Dallas nearly took the lead in the 14th minute when defender Ryan Suarez ended a nice run up the wing with a low centering ball to forward Bobby Rhine on the top of the box. Rhine quickly collected and dropped a slow roller to an onrushing Chad Deering who unleashed a low rocket just wide of the net.

Five minutes later, the host team attempted to reverse the offensive roles when Deering sent a diagonal ball into the left side of the box to Rhine who's one-timer beat Kramer low, but sailed wide.

The Burn continued to bang on the door as a footrace in the 27th minute between forward Eddie Johnson and Rapids defender Rick Titus resulted in an foul and free kick for the host from the top corner of the box. On the ensuing kick, Johnson got loose in the box and sent a head ball just wide of the far post.

Perhaps reflective of the Burn's offensive frustration, Rhine was shown a yellow card by referee Jair Marrufo in the 40th minute for a hard tackle on Colorado defender Robin Fraser, leading the clubs to a very physical last five minutes of the half before finally heading into the locker room deadlocked at 0-0.

The Rapids opened up the second stanza with the first good scoring chance in the 57th minute. After a misplayed Dallas ball near midfield, midfielder Mark Chung dribbled unchallenged for 25 yards before unleashing a left-footed rocket from well outside the box that sailed just over the bar.

Colorado nearly broke the deadlock in the 60th minute when forward Carrieri came inches from finishing off a short pass from Wes Hart on top of the box after a skillful setup by Valderrama. Carrieri's shot from 18 yards had Jordan beat, but skipped just wide of the far stick.

In a fashion very characteristic of their 2002 season, the Rapids finally began to come out of their offensive slumber in the last 20 minutes of the half, often working their way into the Dallas box. Hart and Carrieri once again tried to put the Rapids on top ten minutes later when Hart sent a low cross to the penalty spot. A frustrated Carrieri sent a diving header right to the feet of a waiting Jordan.

Regulation ended in a way very similar to the first half, as the teams exchanged physical play right up to the final whistle and headed to the benches without lighting up the scoreboard after 90 minutes of exhausting play.

Colorado opened the first overtime period with a great chance after a nice sequence between Valderrama and Chung on the left side. Valderrama's through ball sprung Henderson behind the Burn backline, who sent his shot wide.

A 95th minute substitution resulted in an increased number of chances for the Burn attack as forward Ronald Cerritos entered the game for defender Steve Morrow. Colorado matched the intensity, though, with David Kramer making a number of quality saves and registering a handful of their own chances as the first overtime came to a close, still knotted at 0-0.

Dallas stole the victory just five minutes into the second sudden-death overtime when an Antonio Martinez throw-in to Paul Broome was sent high into the box and behind the Colorado backline to an open Ronnie O'Brien who placed a low ball past Kramer from just outside the six-yard box.

With the win, Dallas advances to the tournament's semi-final round where they will meet the defending Open Cup champion Los Angeles Galaxy. The Rapids return to MLS action on Saturday, August 10 when they host the Columbus Crew at 7:00 p.m. MT at INVESCO Field.

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