MLS FC Dallas

Dallas Burn Weekly Update

September 23, 2002 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Dallas News Release


The Burn begins its quest for the 2002 MLS Cup as they host the Colorado Rapids in Game 1 of the quarterfinals this Wednesday, September 25 at 7:30 p.m. at the Cotton Bowl. Despite finishing tied with Colorado with 43 points, the Burn will enjoy home field advantage for the first time since 1999 based on their head-to-head record vs. the Rapids this season (2-1-1). Game 2 will be at Invesco Field in Denver on Saturday, September 28 at 8:00 p.m. (CT) and will be televised on KFWD - Channel 52. Game 3, if necessary, would be on Wednesday, October 2 at 7:30 p.m. at the Cotton Bowl.

BURN/RAPIDS SERIES NOTES

The Burn and the Rapids squared off four times in 2002, with the Burn winning both home games and losing and tying each one at Colorado...Colorado's 3-2 victory on September 1 snapped a Burn four-game unbeaten streak vs. the Rapids...Dallas is 8-4-0 all-time vs. Colorado at the Cotton Bowl but just 4-7-1 at Colorado...the Burn has won two straight vs. Colorado at the Cotton Bowl, outscoring the Rapids 7-2 in that span...Jason Kreis has six goals and seven assists for 19 points in 23 games vs. the Rapids.

BURN COMPLETES ONE OF MOST SUCCESSFUL SEASONS EVER

The 2002 season for the Burn was a success both on and off of the field. Following are some of the highlights attained by the Burn this year:

* With 43 points on the season, the Burn finished third overall in the general league table, a feat also accomplished in 1999. Their .554 winning percentage was second-best in the league.

* The team finished with their second-best record at 12-9-7. The three games over .500 marked the second highest mark over .500 in team history (six games over .500 in 1999).

* The nine losses tied Los Angeles for the fewest losses in the league.

* The Burn's final attendance average of 13,122 was the highest average since 1996 and was 4% higher than the 2001 season average. Attendance average has increased 36% since 1997.

CERRITOS UNDERGOES SUCCESSFUL KNEE SURGERY

Burn forward Ronald Cerritos underwent successful surgery on his right knee last week. The surgery repaired a tear to his posterior cruciate ligament and a tear to his lateral meniscus. Cerritos is expected to be sidelined for 6-8 months.

BURN CLINCHES BRIMSTONE CUP OVER CHICAGO

With the playoff pairings set, the Burn has captured the Brimstone Cup in their series vs. Chicago. Fans of both the Burn and the Fire united to create the cup, which is awarded to the winner of the head-to-head competition between the two teams in a calendar year. The Burn won both regular season meetings this year and, since the only way they could face Chicago again would be at MLS Cup, the Burn has emerged as the victor of this year's Brimstone Cup.

MLS ATTENDANCE INCREASES FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE SEASON

For the second consecutive season, Major League Soccer's attendance average increased by more than five percent. Boosted by an intense playoff race that concluded yesterday with the Chicago Fire's fourth consecutive sellout, the League's 2002 regular season campaign averaged 15,822, a six percent improvement over 2001's overall average of 14,961. With the 2002 MLS Cup Playoffs beginning on Wednesday, more than 19 million fans have enjoyed MLS action during the League's first seven seasons.

FINAL RADIO SHOW OF THE SEASON ON TUESDAY

The final "Inside Soccer" show of the season will be on Tuesday, September 24. Tuesday's show will include a soccer roundtable, with Brad Sham, Peter Welpton and Dave Dir in studio and ESPN broadcaster Rob Stone and ESPN The Magazine reporter Jeff Bradley via telephone. Tuesday's show will air from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. on FOX Sports 1190 AM.

Check out the FC Dallas Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from September 23, 2002


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