MLS Colorado Rapids

Rapids game notes

Published on May 15, 2006 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release


Rapids vs. Galaxy Head-to-Head

The Rapids have a 13-23-4 all-time regular season record against the Los Angeles Galaxy and split the season series last year with each team winning twice on their home pitch. The Rapids' record when playing in Los Angeles is 3-16-1, with their last win in 2003. In Colorado, the Rapids' record is 10-7-2, including a 4-1-3 record at INVESCO Field. The Rapids have played the Galaxy more than any other MLS team.

Colorado-Los Angeles Connections

Despite being two charter MLS clubs, the Rapids and Galaxy have few current connections. At the end of the 2005 season the Rapids acquired Jovan Kirovski from Los Angeles and just before the 2006 preseason they picked up Aaron King, both for draft picks. Earlier this season Cornell Glen was traded to the Galaxy also for a draft pick. Los Angeles defender Tyrone Marshall was a Rapids draft pick in 1998 but only played 17 minutes in one game.

World Cup Send-Off

The Colorado Rapids held a special send-off ceremony for Team Captain Pablo Mastroeni that took place at halftime of their match against DC United on Saturday, May 6. On behalf of Kroenke Sports Enterprises, Rapids VP and Managing Director Jeff Plush presented Mastroeni with Colorado and USA flags to take with him on his trip to Germany. Clint Mathis presented him with a framed US National Team jersey that had been signed with good luck wishes from all his Rapids teammates and the Rapids coaching staff, and members of the Rapids' Supporters Clubs presented Pablo with a giant banner that read "Good Luck Pablo: Do Colorado and the USA Proud"! The banner had been out for fans to sign at the supporters clubs' pregame tailgates at the previous two home games and was decorated with hundreds of good luck wishes.

Rapids Reserves Stay Undefeated

The Rapids Reserves, won their third game in a row 3-2 over the Columbus Crew Reserves on Sunday, May 30th. Thiago Martins scored twice to continue to lead the MLS Reserve Division in scoring. The Brazilian has scored five goals in two games with the Rapids Reserves and had one with the New York Red Bulls Reserves. The Rapids Reserve side maintained their unbeaten status (3-0-0, 9pts) despite trailing by two goals after 29 minutes. Fabrice Noel scored his first reserve team goal to match his first team goals total. The Rapids Reserves gave up their first goal of the season just six minutes into the match.

In the Scoring Race

Rapids forward Jovan Kirovski has scored four goals in six games, setting him in a tie for second place of MLS's Golden Boot race with D.C. United's Alecko Eskandarian. Houston's Brian Ching, who has scored seven goals in six games, five of them against Colorado is at the top of the table.

Assist Man Terry Cooke

Englishman Terry Cooke's four assists in six games have him tied for first place in that department in the league. The top spot is shared by Cooke with Houston's Dwayne DeRosario, New England's Jose Cancela and the Galaxy's Landon Donovan. The former Manchester United midfielder is currently tied for the Rapids record for the most assists in one game, along with Colombian international Carlos Valderrama and former Rapids stalwart Ross Paule.

Local Talent Gets Playing Time

Continuing with their constant efforts to identify and develop local talent, the Colorado Rapids have already had two local players on the pitch representing the club this year. Fort Collins native Colin Clark, who played at all levels in the state of Colorado, made his MLS debut with the Rapids on Saturday, April 29 in the 1-0 loss to the Houston Dynamo. Another local talent, Daniel Wasson, who grew up in Colorado Springs, made his debut in the 2-1 win over D.C. United. The Rapids have the third most local players in their roster of all the six Western Conference teams, and the fourth most in Major League Soccer. The Galaxy and Chivas USA lead the pack, followed by the Red Bulls. Here is the count of local players with their respective club: Chivas USA (10 players born in CA); Los Angeles Galaxy (9 players born in CA); Red Bulls (6 players born in NY/NJ); Colorado Rapids (5 players born in CO); DC United (4 players born in DC metro area); Chicago (2 players born in IL), New England (2 players born in NH and RI), Dallas (2 players born in TX), RSL (2 players born in UT); Houston (1 player born in TX), Kansas City (1 player born in MO) and Columbus (1 player born in OH).

DC & Columbus Go Winless All-Time at INVESCO Field

With the 2-1 win over DC United on Saturday, May 6th, the Rapids have closed another page in the team's history. With their victory over DC, they assured themselves an all-time undefeated record against United at INVESCO Field at Mile High. Saturday's game was the last time United will ever play at INVESCO Field, with the Rapids moving to their new stadium next season. The Rapids never lost to DC at INVESCO, recording a 4-0-2 record against DC and outscoring them 7 goals to 3 since 2002, the first year of the Rapids' occupancy at the stadium. The Rapids hold the same record against the Columbus Crew, having never dropped a game to that Eastern Conference team either at INVESCO Field.

Rapids All-Time vs. Opponents at INVESCO

The Rapids will be opening their new stadium in Commerce City in April 2007, and as they close their final season at INVESCO Field, the numbers tell the story of a home field advantage that will only increase at the new facility. DC and Columbus have already played their final games at the stadium and the records will be updated as opponents play their final games at the mile high venue this season.

Rapids Final All-Time Records vs. Opponents at INVESCO Field:

vs. DC United (4-0-2)

vs. Columbus (4-0-2)

Karanka's Debut

Spanish central defender Aitor Karanka made his official debut with the Rapids in the team's 2-1 win over D.C. United. Karanka, who began his professional career in 1992 and spent a total of seven seasons with Athletic Bilbao before being sold to Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid in 1997, played a solid game, going the full 90 minutes in the match. During his five year stint with Real Madrid, Karanka played in all European competitions, winning 3 European Champions League Trophies (1997-1998, 1999-2000 and 2001-2002), 1 Intercontinental Cup (1998), 1 League Cup (2000-2001) and 2 Spanish Super Cups (1997-1998, 2000-2001)

One-On-One: Mastroeni and the Rapids

Colorado Rapids Team Captain Pablo Mastroeni is the star in the current edition of Altitude's show "One on One". The show, which is hosted by Mike Haynes, is designed to show the real person behind the public figure and allow fans to get to know their stars in a more personal way. The show began airing on Altitude last Friday, May 5th and fans can currently catch it in Altitude's rotation.

Rapids Schedule Changes

The Rapids game at FC Dallas originally scheduled for Saturday, August 5 has been moved to Saturday, July 29 to accommodate the 2006 MLS All-Star Game.

Original Date Opponent New Date

Aug. 5 @FC Dallas July 29

Check out the Colorado Rapids Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Major League Soccer Stories from May 15, 2006


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central