Rapids finish spring training in Florida undefeated
March 1, 2004 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release
The Rapids' final scrimmage in Florida against the Columbus Crew was cancelled due to severe weather in Bradenton, meaning that the Rapids returned to Colorado undefeated in the preseason, with their last match being a thrashing of the USA U-20 National Team. Here's the game report from last week:
RAPIDS DEFEAT FREDDY ADU, USA U-20 NATIONAL TEAM 6-1 The Colorado Rapids, very much looking in mid-season form, crushed the United States U-20 National Team, 6-1, last week at the IMG Academy. Jordan Cila, a former U.S. youth international, paced the Rapids with two goals. Mariano Arrua got the lone tally for the U20s.
Speed of play, both mentally and physically was the big difference. Colorado used that difference to jump out to 5-0 lead before Watson played a part in the U.S. goal. David Castellanos, Chris Henderson, John Spencer, Zach Kingsley and Jordan Cila (2) scored for Colorado.
Post-game quotes: "When you play an MLS team you have to come ready to play," said midfielder/forward Jamie Watson. "Like today I don't think we were ready to play. You've got to give it to Colorado. They just finished every single chance they had and played solid all over the field."
"They play one-touch and it's nothing to them, it's normal," added Watson. "That's the big difference, the speed of play. They're (Colorado) at the level where we are trying to get to. We see what it takes with Colorado putting on a clinic. We did get worked. It's good and bad. We'll look at the result and it's tough to look. At the same time the lessons learned are much more important."
"We were a little overwhelmed today," U20 Head Coach Thomas Rongen said after the game. "Tim Hankinson came out today with essentially his starting eleven."
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- D.C. United Waives Midfielder Jose Alegria - D.C. United
- Burn Tops Stabaek of Norway, 2-1, In La Manga Cup Action - FC Dallas
- Rapids finish spring training in Florida undefeated - Colorado Rapids
- MetroStars to Battle Rapids in Final Preseason Tune-up - New York Red Bulls
- MetroStars advance to La Manga Cup Final with 3-2 victory over Dynamo Kyiv - New York Red Bulls
- D.C. United Launches Soccer Academy - D.C. United
- Crew home opener: 33 days and counting - Columbus Crew SC
- D.C. United Single Game Tickets Now on Sale - D.C. United
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