Rapids Open Soldout Dick's Sporting Goods Park with Victory
April 7, 2007 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release
Commerce City, Colo. - The Colorado Rapids opened Dick's Sporting Goods Park with a bang by defeating DC United 2-1 in front of a sellout crowd of 18,086 in the team's fist opening day victory.
Rapids goalie Bouna Coundoul made his first stop of the game in the eighth minute as he slid to pop up a shot from Luciano Emilio.
Niko Hernandez had the Rapids first scoring opportunity in the 11th minute when he was inches away from redirecting a Herculez Gomez cross into the net.
One day after his 25th birthday, Gomez put the Rapids up 1-0 in the 19th minute as he headed home a Terry Cooke corner kick. Last year Cooke lead the league in assists with 12.
Roberto Brown made to 2-0 in the 35th minute. After playing a layoff to Kyle Beckerman the Panamanian floated to the middle of the penalty area. Meanwhile Beckerman's cross was put back into the middle by Cooke.
Coundoul saved a Christian Gomez free kick in the 49th minute to keep his side up 2-0 against last year's Supporters Shield winners.
DC got a goal back in the 80th minute. Emilio headed in a Kasali Yinka Casal cross as he stood wide open in Colorado's penalty area.
In the 86th minute Cooke put in a dangerous ball from the right. The Rapids' Gomez was leveled as he attempted to get to the cross.
United's Ben Olsen nearly leveled the score in the game's stoppage time. His 20-yard shot was smothered by a diving Coundoul.
The Rapids will play their next game on April 15 at 6 p.m. against the Chicago Fire at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Tickets are available at coloradorapids.com or by calling (303) 825-GOAL.
Major League Soccer Stories from April 7, 2007
- Chicago Takes Season Opener 1-0 over New England - Chicago Fire FC
- Early Chicago Goal Drops Revolution in Season Opener - New England Revolution
- Rapids Open Soldout Dick's Sporting Goods Park with Victory - Colorado Rapids
- Fire Signs Veteran Goalkeeper Jon Busch - Chicago Fire FC
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