MLS Colorado Rapids

Colorado Rapids Game Notes

Published on August 4, 2005 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release


SIX POINT MATCH: Coming into Saturday's game vs. the Galaxy, the Rapids are in fourth place in the Western Conference and eight points behind the Galaxy, who are in third place. A win tonight will pull the Rapids within two wins of the third playoff spot, while also holding the Galaxy winless away from the Home Depot Center and stuck on 29 points.

COLORADO VS. LOS ANGELES: Los Angeles leads the overall series against Colorado 12-22-4. The Rapids gained a thrilling 1-0 win over the Galaxy in Denver on June 15th. Colorado currently sits eight points behind Los Angeles for third place in the Western Conference.

RAPIDS TRY TO MAKE A FIRST: With a win, the Rapids will have a shot to win three out of four games in a season against Los Angeles for the first time in franchise history. The two squads play the final regular season game against each other in Los Angeles on September 10th. Colorado will also be seeking a sweep at home against the Galaxy for the first time since 2000, when the Black and Blue won both games in overtime.

RAPIDS IN THE POST-ALL-STAR BREAK: The Rapids are riding a four-game undefeated streak in their first game after the MLS All-Star break. Since the 2001 season, the Rapids have achieved a record of 3-0-1 and are 3-0 the past three seasons following the MLS All-Star break.

RAPIDS ELIMINATED FROM US OPEN CUP: The Colorado Rapids were eliminated on Wednesday, August 3rd from the 2005 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup by USL's First Division team, the Minnesota Thunder in a game played at James Griffin Stadium in St. Paul, Minn. All four goals for the Thunder were scored by forward Melvin Tarley in an impressive one man show. The lone goal for the Black and Blue came from the booths of Cameroonian international Alain Nkong in the 69th minute. The Rapids become the second MLS victim of the Thunder in the 2005 US Open Cup tournament. Minnesota defeated Real Salt Lake 6-4 on July 14. Two of the six Thunder's goals that night were also scored by Tarley.

CALL HIM "DEDI": The Colorado Rapids announced on Wednesday, August 3rd, the signing of midfielder/defender David "Dedi" Ben Dayan to a multi-year deal. Ben Dayan's addition to the team, which will take place after the August 15th International Transfer Window, is pending proper work authorization from the U.S. government. Ben Dayan, who becomes the second Israeli to play in Major League Soccer (alongside current Rapids defender Guy Melamed), started his professional career with the prestigious Israeli club Maccabi Tel-Aviv, where he played for eight years, winning two league championships and three open cups, performing both as a defender and in the midfield position.

ON LOAN: Colorado Rapids announced on Thursday, August 4th that they have loaned defender Amir Lowery to the USL First Division's Atlanta Silverbacks for the remainder of the 2005 USL First Division season. The Rapids maintain Loweri's rights and can recall them back to Colorado at any point during the 2005 MLS season.

IMPROVED SECOND HALF: The Black and Blue have started the second half of the 2005 MLS season with a stronger pace then they did the first half. The Rapids' first regular season win of 2005 came in the fourth game of the season and their first point only in the second match. If the season were split exactly in half, the Rapids have kicked off the second part of it with a 2-1-1 record, accumulating seven of the twelve total possible points. The Rapids' first half of the season started with a 1-2-1 record in the first four games.

THE "JEFF CUNNINGHAM SPECIAL": In honor of Jeff Cunningham scoring two goals in the 2005 Sierra Mist MLS All Star Game, the Rapids are offering all fans the chance to get 2 Rapids home games for the price of 1! Purchase a ticket to the Rapids' home match on Wednesday, August 17th vs. the New England Revolution and receive a free ticket to the Rapids match on Wednesday, September 21st vs. Real Salt Lake! The free ticket will be of equal or lesser value based on availability. To take advantage of this great opportunity, or to receive more information, call the Rapids at 303-825-GOAL today and ask for the "Jeff Cunningham Special"

RAPIDS DEFEAT RHINOS 4-2: The Colorado Rapids defeated the Rochester Ragin Rhinos 4-2 in front of 7705 fans on Sunday night at Frontier Field in Rochester, NY. Rochester took the lead in the forth minute with a goal by Edivaldo DaSilva. Just three minutes later Jean-Philippe Peguero stepped up and put a penalty kick into the corner of the goal. Kyle Beckerman won the penalty when he was pushed by Lenin Steenkamp as he went up for a header. Colorado took their first lead of the game in the 10th minute when Wolde Harris dropped a ball back for Beckerman who one timed the ball into the far corner of the Rochester net. Early in the second half Rochester was gifted penalty kick when Dan Gargan played the ball but was called for a phantom trip. DaSilva's shot went off Foss' glove and hit the post before it went into the goal. In the 74th minute Harris broke down the field and as his shot was stopped by Dusty Hudock, Sasha Gotsmanov leaned down and headed the rebound into the goal for a 3-2 Rapid's lead. In the waning minutes backup goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul found Fabrice Noel with an outlet pass. Noel used his speed to out run several Rhino defenders on his way to scoring his first goal as a member of the Colorado Rapids.

CUNNINGHAM SHINES IN ALL-STAR APPEARANCE: The high-flying Rapids striker Jeff Cunningham justified his All-Star selection with his two second-half goals, which lead the MLS All-Stars past Fulham FC 4-1 in a game played on Saturday, July 30 at Crew Stadium. Cunningham, the current MLS Leading goalscorer was a late addition to the All-Star team as a injury replacement. Despite the unusual method for his addition to the team, Cunningham displayed his full potential with a star performance as a substitute. The game took place in Columbus and it was a sweet homecoming for Cunningham, who played for the Crew from 1998-2004.

FIESTA FUTBOLERA: The Colorado Rapids and Entravision Communications will present the first ever "Fiesta Futbolera" celebration, which will take place this Saturday, August 6th as part of the Rapids vs. Los Angeles Galaxy match at INVESCO Field at Mile High. The highlight of the special celebration will take place immediately following the game, when recording artists "La Autoridad de la Sierra" perform a free concert inside the stadium. The free concert will also feature kids entertainer "El Morro", a Grammy nominee whose album numbers have surpassed one million sold copies, entertaining children in Mexico and around the world.

MAN'S BEST FRIEND: The Colorado Rapids have announced the club's "Dog Days of August" promotion, which will allow fans to bring their dogs to INVESCO Field at Mile High at the Wednesday, August 17, 2005 game against the Revolution that will kick off at 7:30 p.m. (MT). The promotion will allow all canines to sit in the stands with their owners as they enjoy the Rapids match. Special seating at the stadium for this event will include a play area for the dogs in attendance, as well as other activities for the pets. Owners and their dogs will also sit together for the match itself in the south stands of INVESCO Field. Tickets for the Rapids Dog Days of August event are on sale for $15, and that price includes the dual admission of one owner and one dog. Proceeds will benefit the Denver Dumb Friends League. Fans can find registration forms online at ColoradoRapids.com.

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Major League Soccer Stories from August 4, 2005


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