MLS Colorado Rapids

Rapids Force Game 3 with 1-0 Win Over Dallas

Published on September 29, 2002 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release


DENVER, Colorado - Forward Chris Carrieri netted his first career postseason goal as the Colorado Rapids evened their MLS Cup Quarterfinal series against the Dallas Burn with a 1-0 Game Two victory at INVESCO Field on Saturday night. With the teams splitting the first two games of the series, the Burn and Rapids are now tied at three points apiece (three points for a win). The decisive Game Three of this series will be played at the Cotton Bowl on Wednesday, October 2 at 6:30 p.m. MT. The Rapids are attempting to advance to the MLS Cup Semifinals for the first time since 1997.

The Rapids owned the better of the play in the first half and outshot the visiting Burn 9-4 in the first 45 minutes. However, Colorado's best opportunities came on shots from outside the box and were never too threatening. In the fourth minute Colorado forward John Spencer sent his effort wide left from 20 yards out. The Scotsman and Rapids captain also had two shots on free kicks, with one trickling to goalkeeper Matt Jordan and the other slamming against the Burn's defensive wall in stoppage time.

Although the Rapids enjoyed the majority of the possession in the first half, the Burn had more shots on goal (3-2). On the most dangerous attempts at the Colorado goal, Colombian midfielder Oscar Pareja struck the right outside netting on a shot in the 19th minute.

The second half did not see either team come close early on if not for a Kramer tip of a veering Antonio Martinez cross over the bar seven minutes after the break. In fact, for the first time in six games between the two teams this season, the game was scoreless past the 53rd minute.

While the Burn brought on 18-year-old attacking phenom Eddie Johnson to replace forward Bobby Rhine, the Rapids saw two opportunities created by midfielder Mark Chung finish slightly off target. In the 64th minute his left-footed strike finished wide left and two minutes later, a free kick from the right flank crossed the face of the goal, only to roll past the end line for a Dallas goal kick.

With just 12 minutes remaining in regulation, Carrieri scored the only goal of the game on a lightning quick strike. Rapids defender Robin Fraser intercepted a Burn clearance on the right flank and knocked in a cross into the Burn penalty area. Eight yards from goal, Carrieri beat defender Tenywa Bonseu to the ball and made a stunning turn as he first-timed the ball into the back of the net. His powerful shot easily beat Jordan inside the right post. The second-year MLS player scored 11 goals during the regular season, tying Chung and Chris Henderson for the team lead in 2002.

The Burn brought in attacking midfielder Joselito Vaca in the 80th minute, but he was in turn substituted eight minutes later after taking a boot in the head from Carlos Valderrama. For the rest of the match Dallas would not pose a serious threat to the goal defended by David Kramer as the Rapids 'keeper netted his third postseason shutout.

After conceding four goals in Game One in Dallas on Wednesday, Rapids Head Coach Tim Hankinson made two tactical changes to his back line, inserting two fullbacks, Wes Hart on the right and Ritchie Kotschau on the left. They replaced central defender Rick Titus and Zach Kingsley, a right midfielder, in the starting lineup.

The first-to-five points series will resume at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas on Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. MT. With each team having won its home game, the series will be decided on Wednesday night. The winner of the series between Dallas and Colorado will meet the winner of the Kansas City Wizards-Los Angeles Galaxy series in the MLS Semifinal playoff round. MLS Cup will be contested at the home of the New England Revolution - Gillette Stadium - on October 20.

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Major League Soccer Stories from September 29, 2002


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