MLS Colorado Rapids

Rapids v. Metros Game Notes

Published on July 25, 2003 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release


DENVER (05-17-03) – The Colorado Rapids dropped a 2-0 decision to the MetroStars today at INVESCO Field at Mile High in front of 8,442. MetroStars goalkeeper Tim Howard recorded his third shutout of the season in the process and 15th of his career.

The MetroStars would take the lead just six minutes after the break through a goal by Mathis. The U.S. National Team striker sent a low diagonal shot from the top of the box through the legs of defender Robin Fraser and into the back of the net inside the left post. It was Mathis' third goal of the season.

The Rapids, who were playing without suspended Pablo Mastroeni, saw Roberts fall to injury in the 55th minute with rookie Casey Schmidt replacing the Liberian striker. Schmidt had the best opportunities for the Rapids in the second half with a 56th minute strike which hit the left side netting and a 59th minute header that struck the right post.

A stunned Rapids squad would concede a second goal moments later in the 60th minute as MetroStars forward Mike Magee sent home a rebound of a Guevara shot which was parried away by Rapids goalkeeper Scott Garlick. It was his second tally of the campaign.

With nine minutes remaining in the match MetroStars defender Joey Digiamarino, who was making his first appearance against Colorado since leaving the club after the 2000 season, received a second yellow card for a foul on Chris Henderson. The Rapids, who had brought on forward John Spencer and midfielder Alberto Rizo in the second half for more attacking punch, were unable to capitalize on the one-man advantage.

JULY 26 MISCELLANEOUS TEAM NOTES:

Third Time's a Charm: The two teams have met twice already this year, with the MetroStars taking both games to widen the all-time record to 10-7-1. In the first game in New Jersey on May 3rd, Rapids forward Zizi Roberts converted right before the half only to see the MetroStars come back with two to win the game. That day, Darryl Powell flew to Denver from England for an initial visit to with the Rapids. In game two on May 17 in Denver, Roberts suffered a torn Medial Caleteral Ligament in his right knee. For game three, both Powell and Roberts may both be able to see action.

Three In a Row: The Colorado Rapids are currently enjoying a three-game winning streak that started on July 4 with a spectacular 3-2 last minute win over the Kansas City Wizards. The last time the team had a three-game winning streak goes back to September 10, 1999, which began when they also defeated the Kansas City Wizards at Mile High Stadium with a 3-2 shoot-out win. The Rapids recorded the longest winning streak in the history of the team in 1999, when Colorado embarked on a seven-game winning streak at the beginning of the year. Two of those seven wins came as a result of the infamous shoot-out.

Kids Club Free T-Shirt Night at the Game: All registered members of the Rapids Kids Club can pick up their Free Pablo Mastroeni commemorative T-shirts at the game Saturday night. Kids must present their Kids Club Membership Cards to get their free t-shirts at the Kids Club booth just inside Gate 10. This is the second of 5 Free Rapids Kids Club giveaways in 2003. The Rapids Kids Club is Free in 2003, and kids ages 4-15 can sign up for the Kids Club online at www.coloradorapids.com

8th Annual Boy Scout Night at the Rapids: This game will also feature the 8th Annual Boy Scout Night at the Rapids, with the scouts getting the chance to spend the night camping out in the stadium! Scouts will enjoy the mach and then set up tents in the Club Level of the stadium, watch a movie on the big screen, and have breakfast Sunday morning. For more info. call the Rapids at (303) 299-1583.

Caution Points: Defender Ritchie Kotschau is still under League Warning for caution point accumulations, approaching the 21 total points mark. With 19 caution points, Kotschau must play one more clean game before he is lifted from the warning (to be a total of 3 games without a card). If Kotschau should get a yellow card in the next game, he would have to sit the following League game. Scott Garlick, though he received a yellow card in each of the last two games, is not under caution due to the fact that his yellow card points totaled 6 points. He is not in danger of the 11 points in 3 consecutive games since the most points given to a yellow card is 4 points.

Close in Numbers: F Chris Carrieri and M Mark Chung have each started 43 games for the Rapids in their careers. Carrieri has scored 18 goals and 14 assists for 50 points (7 all-time), while Chung has 17 goals and 13 assist (45 points) for 8 all-time. ... Henderson's last start pushed him to second on the all-time Rapids games started category, behind Marcelo Balboa (146)

Rapids-MetroStars Connections 1 and 2: Rapids midfielder Mark Chung was acquired from the MetroStars for the 4th overall selection in the 2002 Dispersal Draft. Chung spent three seasons with the MetroStars, playing 62 regular season games scoring nine goals, and 8 playoff games with two goals. In his first season with the Rapids in 2002, Chung led the team in scoring with 11 goals and 10 assists, being named to Pepsi Best 11 Team. Goalkeeper Paul Grafer posted a 1-12 record for the Rapids during the 1997 and 1998 seasons.

Rapids-MetroStars Connections 3 and 4: Current MetroStars Defender Joey DiGiamarino was a Project-40 Player for the Rapids during the 1998 MLS season. ‘Digi' went on to start 43 of the 67 games he played in for the Rapids, scoring 7 goals in three MLS seasons. Prior to joining the Rapids, DiGiamarino played the 1997 season with the A-League's Colorado Foxes. That year, he played for the Rapids in an exhibition game against Chivas. MetroStars midfielder Mark Lisi, who is from Englewood, CO, went to Regis High School and played club soccer with the Rapids' Wes Hart in the Colorado Rush Youth Soccer Club.

Rapids All-Stars: On Friday, July 18, Major League Soccer announced that the Rapids Pablo Mastroeni, John Spencer, and Mark Chung were selected as alternates for the 2003 MLS All-Star game that will be played against Chivas at The Home Depot Center in Carson, CA on August 2. The 2003 Pepsi MLS All-Stars were elected through voting by (a) fans, (b) media, (c) players and (d) coaches and general managers with each representing 25 percent of the final tally. The MetroStars coaching staff led by Head Coach Bob Bradley have the option of selecting from the alternates list should any of the first 18 not be able to play due to injury.

The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup: The Rapids will host the Kansas City Wizards in the 4th round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday, August 5 at the North Area Athletic Complex in Arvada at 7:00 p.m. (MT). This will be only the second time the Rapids have hosted an Open Cup game, having defeated the Seattle Sounders 1-0 in 1999. In the Rapids' first ever Open Cup game, the team defeated the Kansas City Wizards 3-2 in the 1996 Cup.

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Major League Soccer Stories from July 25, 2003


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