MLS Colorado Rapids

Rapids weekly notes

Published on August 8, 2005 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release


AT THE TOP OF THE LEAGUE: Jeff Cunningham's strike against the Los Angeles Galaxy not only gave the Rapids a much-needed three points at home, but it also pushed him higher atop the league's goalscoring department. Cunningham, who has notched an amazing 73 goals during his MLS career, is currently at the top of this year's goalscoring list with 11 goals to his credit, two strikes ahead of his closest competitor, New England's Taylor Twellman.

TIGHT RACE: After Saturday's 2-0 win over the Galaxy at INVESCO Field, the Rapids have closed the gap between them and the LA club. The Black and Blue, who sit fourth in the Western Conference, are currently 5 points behind the Galaxy, who sit in third place. Expansion clubs Real Salt Lake and Chivas USA are fifth and sixth respectively in the West. Salt Lake are 5 points behind the Rapids and Chivas are 12 points behind. All three teams (Real, Galaxy and Chivas) play midweek games on Wednesday, August 10.

SERNA IN CAMP: Former Miami Fusion striker Diego Serna is in camp with the Colorado Rapids this week. The 13th -highest goalscorer in Major League Soccer history notched 57 goals during his stint in the league. He then left for the United Arab Emirates, where he played for one season before returning to Colombia to play for current Libertadores Cup Champions Once Caldas. He was most recently playing for Deportes Quindío, where he last performed last week in their 1-1 tie against Atletico Nacional on Wednesday, August 3rd.

A TALE OF TWO HALVES: The Black and Blue are starting to improve their play during the second half of the regular season. The team has posted a 3-1-1 record in their first five games of the second half of the season, outscoring their opponents 10 goals to 5. The Rapids posted a 1-3-1 record during the first five games of the regular season and were outscored by their opponents 7 goals to 5. The Rapids' goals in the first five games of the first half of the season came from only 3 different players. The Black and Blue have started the second half of the 2005 MLS season with 10 goals in 5 games, from five different players.

ALL-STAR BREAK A GOOD ONE: With last weekend's 2-0 win over the Galaxy, the Rapids have now notched a five-game undefeated streak in their first game after the MLS All-Star break over the last half-decade. Since the 2001 season, the Rapids have achieved a record of 4-0-1 in the first game following the All-Star game. The Rapids are also 4-0-1 over the past three seasons in the 5 games following the MLS All-Star break.

WHO'S YOUR "DEDI": The Colorado Rapids announced on Wednesday, August 3rd the signing of midfielder/defender David "Dedi" Ben Dayan to a multi-year deal. Ben Dayan's addition to the team, which will take place after the August 15th International Transfer Window, is pending proper work authorization from the U.S. government. Ben Dayan, who becomes the second Israeli to play in Major League Soccer (alongside current Rapids defender Guy Melamed), started his professional career with the prestigious Israeli club Maccabi Tel-Aviv, where he played for eight years, winning two league championships and three open cups, performing both as a defender and in the midfield position.

AMIR ON LOAN: The Colorado Rapids announced on Thursday, August 4th that they have loaned defender Amir Lowery to the USL First Division's Atlanta Silverbacks for the remainder of the 2005 USL First Division season. The Rapids maintain Lowery's rights and can recall him back to Colorado at any point during the 2005 MLS season.

THE "JEFF CUNNINGHAM SPECIAL": In honor of Jeff Cunningham leading the MLS in goals scored, the Rapids are offering all fans the chance to get 2 Rapids home games for the price of 1. Fans can purchase a ticket to the Rapids' home match on Wednesday, August 17th vs. the New England Revolution and receive a free ticket to the Rapids match on Wednesday, September 21st vs. Real Salt Lake. The free ticket will be of equal or lesser value based on availability. To take advantage of this great opportunity, or to receive more information, fans should call the Rapids at (303) 825-GOAL and ask for the "Jeff Cunningham Special".

FIESTA FUTBOLERA A TOTAL SUCCESS: The Colorado Rapids and Entravision Communications presented the first ever "Fiesta Futbolera" celebration during Saturday's game. The Fiesta started with the Rapids' 2-0 win over Western Conference rivals the Los Angeles Galaxy, and the match was followed by the live concerts by recording artists "La Autoridad de la Sierra", who performed a free concert inside the stadium. The free concert, which also featured kids entertainer "El Morro", a Grammy nominee whose album numbers have surpassed one million sold copies, entertaining children in Mexico and around the world, drew a crowd of 14,714 enthusiastic fans to Invesco Field.

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, which 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.

Check out the Colorado Rapids Statistics

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



Major League Soccer Stories from August 8, 2005


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