MLS Colorado Rapids

Rapids weekly notes

Published on August 1, 2005 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release


RAPIDS DEFEAT RHINOS 4-2: The Colorado Rapids defeated the Rochester Raging Rhinos 4-2 in front of 7705 fans on Sunday night at Frontier Field in Rochester, NY.

Rochester took the lead in the forth minute with a goal by Edivaldo DaSilva. Just three minutes later Jean-Philippe Peguero stepped up and put a penalty kick into the corner of the goal. Kyle Beckerman won the penalty when he was pushed by Lenin Steenkamp as he went up for a header. Colorado took their first lead of the game in the 10th minute when Wolde Harris dropped a ball back for Beckerman who one timed the ball into the far corner of the Rochester net. Early in the second half Rochester was gifted penalty kick when Dan Gargan played the ball but was called for a phantom trip. DaSilva's shot went off Foss' glove and hit the post before it went into the goal. In the 74th minute Harris broke down the field and as his shot was stopped by Dusty Hudock, Sasha Gotsmanov leaned down and headed the rebound into the goal for a 3-2 Rapid's lead. In the waning minutes backup goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul found Fabrice Noel with an outlet pass. Noel used his speed to out run several Rhino defenders on his way to scoring his first goal as a member of the Colorado Rapids.

CUNNINGHAM SHINES IN ALL-STAR APPEARANCE: The high-flying Rapids striker Jeff Cunningham justified his All-Star selection with his two second-half goals, which lead the MLS All-Stars past Fulham FC 4-1 in a game played on Saturday, July 30 at Crew Stadium. Cunningham, the current MLS Leading goalscorer was a late addition to the All-Star team as a injury replacement. Despite the unusual method for his addition to the team, Cunningham displayed his full potential with a star performance as a substitute. The game took place in Columbus and it was a sweet homecoming for Cunningham, who played for the Crew from 1998-2004.

RAPIDS ENTER LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP ON WEDNESDAY: The Colorado Rapids will enter the 2005 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with a fourth round match this Wednesday, August 3rd, when they take on the Minnesota Thunder from the United Soccer League's First Division, at James Griffin Stadium in St. Paul, Minnesota at 6:00 p.m. (MT). This time under the reins of Head Coach Fernando Clavijo, the Black and Blue will make their run to conquer the trophy of the oldest and most distinguished sporting tournament in the United States. Clavijo's experience in this tournament with New England led the Revolution to the Championship game in 2001, where they were defeated 2-1 by the Los Angeles Galaxy at Fullerton Stadium in California. The Thunder shocked everyone by eliminating Real Salt Lake in the previous round of the tournament by the score of 6-4.

TUNNING UP FOR A-LEAGUE TEAMS: The Colorado Rapids defeated the Rochester Rhinos (USL 1st Division) 4-2 in and exhibition match played at Frontier Field on Sunday, July 31st. The Black and Blue goals came from Jean Philippe Peguero, Kyle Beckerman, Sasha Gotsmanov and Fabrice Noel to defeat one of the USL 1st Division's best teams. This game served as a good tune up for the team's US Open Cup presentation on Wednesday, August 3rd when they take on another USL 1st Division team, the Minnesota Thunder at 6:00 p.m. at James Griffin Stadium in St. Paul, Minn. The Thunder currently rides in the eight position of the standings with a 5-8-6 record.

RAPIDS IN THE POST-ALL-STAR BREAK: The Rapids are riding a four-game undefeated streak in their first game after the All-Star break. Since the 2001 season, the Rapids have achieved a record of 3-0-1 and are 3-0 the past three seasons following the MLS All-Star break.

RAPIDS ALL STAR REPRESENTATION: League-leading goalscorer Jeff Cunningham represented the Black and Blue in the 2005 MLS All-Star game in Columbus last weekend. Only once in the Rapids history has the team not been represented in the showcase of MLS' best talent. No Rapids players were chosen to the 2003 squad; in 1996 Marcelo Balboa was voted to the team but could not play due to injury.

FIESTA FUTBOLERA: The Colorado Rapids and Entravision Communications will present the first ever "Fiesta Futbolera" celebration, which will take place on Saturday, August 6th as part of the Rapids vs. Los Angeles Galaxy match at INVESCO Field at Mile High. The highlight of the special celebration will take place immediately following the game, when recording artists "La Autoridad de la Sierra" perform a free concert inside the stadium. The free concert will also feature kids entertainer "El Morro", a Grammy nominee whose album numbers have surpassed one million sold copies, entertaining children in Mexico and around the world.

IMPROVED SECOND HALF: The Black and Blue have started the second half of the 2005 MLS season with a stronger pace then they did the first half. The Rapids' first regular season win of 2005 came in the fourth game of the season and their first point only in the second match. If the season were split exactly in half, the Rapids have kicked off the second part of it with a 2-1-1 record, accumulating seven of the twelve total possible points. The Rapids' first half of the season started with a 1-2-1 record in the first four games.

MAN'S BEST FRIEND: The Colorado Rapids have announced the club's "Dog Days of August" promotion, which will allow fans to bring their dogs to INVESCO Field at Mile High at the Wednesday, August 17, 2005 game against the Revolution that will kick off at 7:30 p.m. (MT). The promotion will allow all canines to sit in the stands with their owners as they enjoy the Rapids match. Special seating at the stadium for this event will include a play area for the dogs in attendance, as well as other activities for the pets. Owners and their dogs will also sit together for the match itself in the south stands of INVESCO Field. Tickets for the Rapids Dog Days of August event are on sale for $15, and that price includes the dual admission of one owner and one dog. Proceeds will benefit the Denver Dumb Friends League. Fans can find registration forms online at ColoradoRapids.com.

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Major League Soccer Stories from August 1, 2005


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