MLS Colorado Rapids

Rapids weekly notes

Published on May 2, 2006 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release


Rapids vs. D.C. United

The Rapids have a 7-12-5 all-time regular season record against D.C. United and split the season series last year with each team winning on their home pitch. In Denver the series is even at 5-5-2 but over the last five games in the Mile High City, Colorado has a 4-0-2 record.

Retro Jersey Night

The Rapids are going old school Saturday and are going to wear green uniforms for the first time since the 2002 season. The retro look is the Rapids' third jersey, and the club is wearing them in conjunction with the team's Free Jersey Night promotion, where the first 6,000 kids 16 & under into INVESCO Field will receive a replica jersey. Fans can also bid on the actual jerseys the Rapids players wear that night in an auction benefiting the Rapids Community Care Foundation.

Cinco De Mayo Celebration Stadium Access

Due to Cinco De Mayo festivities, no access to INVESCO Field will be available via Federal Boulevard for those attending the Rapids game at 7:00 PM on Saturday, May 6th. Please come to the stadium through routes other than Federal Boulevard. When coming to the game, those traveling South on I-25 should exit on 23rd Ave. Those traveling North on I-25 should exit on 8th Ave or 17th Ave. We anticipate significantly higher traffic levels and recommend arriving no later than ½ hour prior to the game start. For a parking map please go to www.coloradorapids.com.

Three for Three for Kirovski

Rapids forward Jovan Kirovski scored in 3 straight matches for the Rapids to begin the season but was shut out last weekend against Houston. Kirovski scored only one goal in seven games played with the Rapids last season. The former Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund striker is the only player in MLS with an active streak of 3 consecutive games scoring a goal.

Karanka, Ready to Play

Spanish central defender Aitor Karanka, who was signed by the Rapids on Sunday, April 2, was on the bench in the game again Houston but did not make it into the contest. 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, has all his paperwork stamped and approved and is ready to see action with the Rapids.

Rapids Send Aid to Iraqi Kids

The Colorado Rapids' partnership with Newsradio KOA 850am to donate soccer balls to needy children in Iraq was a total success. Listeners to KOA recently have heard Steffan Tubbs speak about his recent experiences being an embedded journalist in Iraq. On his trips over there he was touched by the children forced to survive in such harsh conditions. Due to the requests he received from American soldiers, Steffan created an effort to collect as many as 5,000 soccer balls as from Colorado to ship over directly to Iraq. With the overwhelming participation of local listeners and soccer fans, along with the 1,200 soccer balls donated by the Rapids, the goal of 5,000 was easily surpassed! The Rapids thank all fans who participated in the drive!

Reserves Continue Hot Start

The Rapids Reserves won their second game in a row to start the season 2-0 over the Houston Dynamo Reserves. Newly-acquired Thiago Martins scored both goals for the Rapids Reserves and Bouna Condoul posted his second straight shutout. The Rapids Reserves (2-0-0, 6pts) will next take on the Columbus Crew Reserves (0-2-0, 0pts) on May 14. In the first reserve game of the season the Rapids Reserves beat the Crew Reserves 4-0.

Three Assists- Tying a Club Record

Englishman Terry Cooke assisted on all three of the Rapids' goals against the Columbus Crew in the club's Home Opener on April 8, tying a club record for the most assists in one game. Colombian international and former Rapids great Carlos Valderrama, along with Ross Paule, were the only other Colorado players to achieve that same number of assists in a game. Paule did it in 2001 and Valderrama in 2002. The three assists puts Cooke into a tie for second in the league.

One-On-One: Altitude and the Rapids

Colorado Rapids Head Coach Fernando Clavijo and Captain Pablo Mastroeni will appear on 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 shows will begin to air on Altitude starting April 4th for Fernando Clavijo and May 5th for Pablo Mastroeni.

Rapids Kids Club

Children from around the globe can sign up for the 2006 Rapids Kids Club and receive a Rapids string sack, Rapids visor, Rapids Frisbee, tattoos and a membership ID card that will give a 10% discount on Rapids gear with every use. Members will also have the opportunity to participate in a clinic with Rapids players. Visit www.coloradorapids.com or contact the Rapids Kids Club Hot Line at (303) 405-1359.

2006 Rapids Soccer Academy

The 2006 Colorado Rapids Soccer Academy, developed by Colorado Rapids Assistant Coach and Youth Academy Director John Murphy, includes a Development Camp, Training Center, Fitness Camp, Goalkeeper Camp, Kickin' Kids Camp and Summit Select. Each Camp within the Rapids Academy will be run by Colorado Rapids players and coaches. Every participant will receive one-on-one attention from the players and coaches to enhance their soccer skills and prepare them for the upcoming season. For more information and to register please visit www.coloradorapids.com or contact the Rapids Youth Technical Staff at 720-931-2005. Spaces are limited.

Check out the Colorado Rapids Statistics

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Major League Soccer Stories from May 2, 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.

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