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MLS Colorado Rapids

Rapids Eliminated From U.S. Open Cup with 3-0 Loss in Dallas

July 20, 2004 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release


Dallas, TX- The Colorado Rapids were eliminated from the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tonight with a 3-0 defeat at the hands of the Dallas Burn at the Cotton Bowl. Eddie Johnson scored twice and added an assist, and Ronnie O'Brien scored the game-winning goal for the Burn who now advance to a quarterfinal meeting with the Kansas City Wizards.

Making his first start 2004, Rapids keeper Scott Vallow was called into action for the first time in the eighth minute when Ronnie O'Brien got free in the box on the right and fired a shot from close range that Vallow slid out to block. Seven minutes later, O'Brien got free in the right side of the box again, dribbling through a pair of Colorado defenders, only to see Vallow come up with another big save.

Just seconds after Vallow denied O'Brien for a second time, the Rapids nearly grabbed the lead. Chris Henderson played a long ball from the midfield to Mark Chung who was breaking into the Dallas penalty area on the left wing. Chung collected the ball and took two touches before firing a low, hard shot that Jeff Cassar dove out to save, keeping the game scoreless.

Despite the pressure put on by the Burn in the game's opening minutes, their best chance of the opening 45 minutes did not come until the 22nd minute Oscar Pareja hit a right-footed shot from 21 yards out that beat Vallow to his right post, only for the ball to crash off the corner of the post and crossbar and rebound clear of any danger.

The Rapids began the first half with more of an attacking mindset as Mark Chung and John Spencer each went close from long range in the opening five minutes of the second half.

Despite being on the defensive early in the second half, it was the Burn that got on the board first in the 60th minute. Jason Kreis crossed the ball into the center of the box from the right wing, and Eddie Johnson flicked a header to the far post where O'Brien was waiting. The Irishman hit a powerful first time volley from eight yards out that beat Vallow to the top corner at his right post, putting Dallas ahead 1-0.

The lead was doubled seven minutes later as Eddie Johnson grabbed his first goal of the match and his first goal in the Open Cup this season. O'Brien collected a short pass from Brad Davis and cut across the top of the box. His first shot was blocked, but the ball came right back to him and he fired a low, curling shot that hit Vallow's left post. Johnson was the first one to the rebound and he curled a left-footed shot past the Rapids' keeper.

Following the goal, Vallow was forced to leave the match after suffering severe cramping in his legs. Joe Cannon was called upon to replace Vallow who made seven saves before exiting the match.

Johnson struck again in the 75th minute when he broke free on the right wing and chipped a shot past Cannon from inside the box, giving the Burn a 3-0 lead. Simo Valakari started the attack by finding Ramon Nunez who had come on just a minute earlier. Nunez then played the ball down the flank for Johnson who was able to get his second goal of the match despite Cannon getting a hand on Johnson's shot.

The Rapids were forced to play the final nine minutes with just 10-men as midfielder Kyle Beckerman, a halftime substitution, was sent off by referee Marcel Yonan.

The Rapids return to action on Saturday afternoon, at 3:00 p.m. (MT) when they host the Columbus Crew live on MLS Soccer Saturday on ESPN2. Tickets for this game, and all other Rapids home matches are on sale now. Call 303-825-GOAL or visit coloradorapids.com for tickets or more information.

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Major League Soccer Stories from July 20, 2004


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