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MLS Colorado Rapids

Mastroeni & Cannon To Represent USA Wednesday

February 8, 2005 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release


Two of the three Colorado Rapids players that were in the US National Team's camp over the last few weeks have been selected to travel with the team for Wednesday's World Cup Qualifier at Trinidad & Tobago. Rapids Team Captain Pablo Mastroeni and Rapids goalkeeper Joe Cannon will both join the American squad as they depart tonight from Miami to Port of Spain, Trinidad.

Rapids defender Ritchie Kotschau is the only one of the three Rapids players called into the National Team camp that will not make the trip to Trinidad & Tobago for the 2006 World Cup Qualifier this Wednesday, which will be broadcast at 12:30 p.m. (MT) live on ESPN2.

The Colorado Rapids invite all fans to join us at Brooklyn's at the Pepsi Center (901 Auraria Parkway, directly next to the Pepsi Center) at 12:30pm this Wednesday for an official Viewing Party for this pivotal match for the United States.

The Black and Blue's goalkeeper Joe Cannon is still with the team, as he attempts go get his second cap with the Nats, this time in a World Cup Qualifier (his only cap was against New Zealand in a friendly match played on June 8, 2003). Cannon will be battling a familiar face for the starting position, as former Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann is reportedly joining Kasey Keller as the other two goalies making the trip.

ColoradoRapids.com was able to speak with Joe Cannon about his thoughts on Wednesday's game:

Cannon on how tough the US expects Trinidad & Tobago to be:

"We saw that Trinidad & Tobago lost to Haiti over the weekend, but to be honest, we don't give too much credence to it, as it was just a friendly. But we can learn from their shape and formation from that game. They will raise their level to play teams that have better reputations, and the US definitely has established itself as having a great one. This game on Wednesday will be a dogfight, don't forget, the last time we played there we were down 1-0 until injury time. But we'll take our chances and we will be bringing home a point, hopefully three points."

Cannon on his relationship with Rapids Alumni Player Marcus Hahnemann, who will also be making the trip:

"I know Marcus very well, we go way back. In fact, few people know this, but Marcus and I have a common bond, in Halo 2. I play X-Box live with him almost daily in the offseason, so we talk all the time. It's exciting to see him in the US Camp, as he's been doing very well playing for Reading, so it's a great reward for him. I'm happy for him."

Cannon on his plans to meet up with the Rapids for Spring Training:

"After the game in Trinidad, I'll be going home to California, because the US Camp was called while I was on vacation, so all my stuff is still there. I'll go get my stuff, go to Denver and drop it off, and then I'll be going to Ecuador to join up with the Rapids on either Sunday or Monday."

The other Rapids representative on the 23-man roster that will travel tonight to Port of Spain, Trinidad, is the Black and Blue's Team Captain, Pablo Mastroeni, who will be looking to acquire his 33rd cap with the National Team.

The entire 23-man roster for the match has not been officially released, but can be found online at websites like USSoccerPlayers.com.

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Major League Soccer Stories from February 8, 2005


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