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MLS Colorado Rapids

Colorado Rapids Back Home to Face San Jose Earthquakes

May 4, 2015 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release


Off the back of two testing trips on the road, the Colorado Rapids return to Dick's Sporting Goods Park this Friday to face Western Conference opponents San Jose Earthquakes, kickoff 8:00 p.m MT.

Friday's match will come exactly 19 years to the day since the sides first met in MLS, on May 8, 1996 at Spartan Stadium - home to the Quakes until 2005. Marcelo Balboa gave the Rapids an early lead in that first encounter, netting after just two minutes. The home side responded with two goals before the break, the second of which was scored by Paul Bravo. Indeed, the current VP of Soccer Operations and Technical Director had a hand in all three Quakes goals, with an assist on the first and third.

On the Rapids' roster that season, although not involved in the match with San Jose, was the current head coach of the Quakes, Dominic Kinnear. He would depart Colorado at the end of the campaign, with Bravo coming in the other direction.

Rapids' lineup vs. San Jose (05/08/1996): Hudock; Butterworth, Cannon, Hamlett, Kmosko; Balboa, Benedetti (Wegerle 71'), Henderson, Trittschuh; Bartlett, Harbor.

The Quakes won 3-1 in that first match. They would win all four meetings in that inaugural season, and though the Rapids would enjoy some success down the years, the California club has - for the most part - had the upper hand. The Rapids are 18-26-13 all-time in regular season meetings. San Jose, meanwhile, has not lost any of the previous 10 encounters (there have been five ties and five wins for the Quakes).

At Dick's Sporting Goods Park, the Rapids are without success in the six most recent meetings. Their last victory over San Jose at home came on August 7, 2010, courtesy of a Jon Busch own goal.

Goals have been hard to come by in the last four games, with just three scored. Indeed, two sides that clearly match-up well against each other, tied all three meetings in 2014.

Their match against the Rapids will be a third successive road trip for the Quakes. They drew 1-1 at Real Salt Lake last Friday, and are at Houston Dynamo on Tuesday night, before arriving in Colorado this Friday.

Two players will be eager to face their former teammates. Midfielder Sam Cronin spent five seasons with the Quakes, before arriving in Commerce City during the offseason. Marvell Wynne left the Rapids for San Jose at the end of 2014, after five seasons in Colorado.

For the Rapids, a chance to rest some weary limbs ahead of their next contest after a coast-to-coast trip taking in two games - both of which ended in battling 1-1 draws - before they go gunning for their first home win of the season.

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