MLS Colorado Rapids

Rapids Weekly Report

Published on December 2, 2003 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release


1.) FOUR RAPIDS PLAYERS CALLED TO US NATIONAL TEAM DUTY

Four Rapids players (Goalkeeper Joe Cannon, Forward Chris Carrieri, Midfielder Kyle Beckerman and Defender Nat Borchers) were called to their respective United States National Teams for a training camp that will run from December 12th to the 19th at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA it was announced today by US Soccer.

Cannon, the 2002 Major League Soccer Goalkeeper of the Year, returns to the Full Men's National Team after having made his first appearance with the Stars and Stripes on June 8th, 2002 in a friendly match against the Netherlands. The 6-2 goalkeeper who was signed by the Rapids on August 19, 2003, was the starter for the Black and Blue during the team's playoff run this past season.

Carrieri will make his first appearance in a full National Team camp since starting his MLS Career in 2001. The 2003 two-time Pepsi Goal of the Week recipient netted three goals and recorded eight assists for the Black and Blue this season.

Beckerman, who has been a regular fixture with the Under-23 U.S. National Team, returns to the squad as the Stars and Stripes continue their preparation to compete for a ticket to the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. The 21-year old athlete recorded five assists with Colorado this season, ranking third in that department.

Borchers, who receives his third call up to the U.S. Under-23 National team, anchored the Rapids defense during 23 games in his rookie season, logging more than 2100 minutes in 2003. The Rapids 2003 Defender of the Year is a solid contender to make the U.S. final roster that will travel to Mexico to take part in the Olympic Qualifiers next year.

The two four-team groups for the final round of CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying are set, as all of the two-game series that made up the second round were completed last week, with Canada, Costa Rica, Honduras, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago advancing to join the USA, Panama (who qualified in late October over St. Lucia) and Mexico (who qualified automatically as the host nation). Group A will consist of Canada, Honduras, Panama and the U.S., with Group B featuring Costa Rica, Mexico, Jamaica and T&T. The top two teams in each group advance to the semi-finals, with A1 meeting B2 and B1 facing A2. The two finalists earn CONCACAF's automatic berths to the 2004 Olympics in Athens, which take place in August.

For more information on this story, click here: http://www.ussoccer.com/

2.) PABLO MASTROENI RE-SIGNS WITH RAPIDS

The Colorado Rapids announced that midfielder Pablo Mastroeni reached an agreement with the team, signing a new multi-year contract that will keep him with the Rapids through the 2007 season. Per MLS policy, details of the contract were not disclosed.

"Pablo has been a key player in the center of the park for our team during the past two seasons," Head Coach Tim Hankinson said. "He brings a wealth of experience that can disrupt any team's attack from his position. He will play an important role in our overall scheme as we begin the quest for the 2004 MLS Cup."

Mastroeni, 27, split his time with the Rapids and the US National Team during 2003, as he helped the Stars and Stripes to third place finishes in the Gold Cup and Confederations Cup.

The Mendoza, Argentina native settled into his defensive mid position, while on occasion playing central defender during the 18 games that he played in for the Black and Blue during the 2003 season.

Mastroeni, who patrols the midfield with the ability to strip opposing players of the ball with crunching tackles and blazing speed, recorded two assists for the team last season. In the past two years, he has also emerged as one of the most vocal leaders on the team, setting the Black and Blue standard for his teammates to emulate.

After making his United States National Team debut in 2001, Mastroeni went on to perform admirably for the Stars and Stripes during the 2002 World Cup, in which the U.S. had their best showing in the last 20 years, reaching the quarterfinal round.

Pablo Mastroeni -MIDFIELDER- #25
Ht: 5-10 Wt: 170
D.O.B. 8-26-76
P.O.B. Mendoza, Argentina
College: North Carolina State
Last Club: Miami Fusion (1998-2001)
To read Mastroeni's bio page, click here: http://www.coloradorapids.com/site/goal.asp?cid=117

3.) RAPIDS WAIVE THREE PLAYERS IN 2003 MLS WAIVER DRAFT

Nine players, including the Colorado Rapids' Alberto Rizo, Michael Piserchio and Billy Sleeth, were waived by MLS clubs and none were selected in the Major League Soccer Waiver Draft conducted last Tuesday. The nine players include two Senior International players, five Developmental Players and two Senior Roster players. The following are the names of the players waived:

COLORADO RAPIDS:

D/M Michael Piserchio - Developmental Player signed June 11, 2003; Former University of Denver product did not register an appearance in 2003.

D Alberto Rizo - Senior International from Mexico signed April 8, 2003; Registered six appearances in 2003 for the Rapids.

D Billy Sleeth - Selected in Nov. 6, 2002 Waiver Draft; No. 10 overall selection in 2002 SuperDraft suffered broken foot that sidelined him for most of year.

DALLAS BURN:

M Mandi Urbas - Signed as a Discover Player on Aug. 11, 2003; Former Bayern Munich youth player made three appearances in 2003.

KANSAS CITY WIZARDS:

D Kevin Friedland - Developmental Player, 53rd selection in 2003 SuperDraft; Did not play in 2003.

M Jorge Vazquez - Senior International, Argentinean acquired on Aug. 20, 2003 from New England; Did not play a match for Kansas City hampered by an adductor strain through September.

NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION:

D Nick Downing - Developmental Player, 21st overall selection in 2001 SuperDraft; Project-40 player joined the Portland Timbers of the A-League on loan during midseason and did not play for the Revolution. M Tony Frias - Senior Developmental Player, Signed July 19, 2001; Hudson, Massachusetts native did not register an appearance in Revolution career. F Ibrahim Kante - Developmental Player, Signed on May 21, 2003 and came on as a substitute in two regular season matches; Brother of Revolution defender Daouda Kante.

4.) RAPIDS FRONT OFFICE MOVING INTO PEPSI CENTER NEXT WEEK

The Colorado Rapids Front Office will be moving next week into the team's new home of the Pepsi Center, saying goodbye to the old team offices in the Qwest Tower! Starting Tuesday, Dec. 9, the Colorado Rapids' new business address will be:

Colorado Rapids Major League Soccer Club
Pepsi Center
1000 Chopper Blvd.
Denver, CO 80204
Phone: (303) 825-GOAL (4625)
Fax: (720) 931-2033

5.) RAPIDS TO HOST 4TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED KIDS

The Rapids announced today that they will once again be hosting the team's annual Holiday party for needy Denver kids at Colorado's Ocean Journey. This year's 4th Annual Event will take place on Tuesday, December 16th, and will benefit 350-400 underprivileged kids who participated in the Rapids "Kicks for Kids" program this year.

The Rapids Holiday Party will include free admittance for all the invitees to Ocean Journey and all of its exhibits, a hot meal and beverages, free presents and Rapids gear, a visit from Santa Claus, and a special autograph session with the Colorado Rapids players, coaches and Rapidman!

The Colorado Rapids "Kicks for Kids" program provides underprivileged kids with the opportunity to attend Rapids games and holiday parties throughout the year for free courtesy of corporate donations. This 4th Annual Holiday Party will benefit around 400 underprivileged kids from special-needs schools and organizations around Colorado who participated in the 2003 Kicks for Kids program.

To see photos from last year's Rapids Holiday Party, click here: http://www.coloradorapids.com/site/goal.asp?cid=254

6.) BUY YOUR RAPIDS SEASON TICKETS NOW, JUST IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

There is no better present to give or receive for the holidays than Colorado Rapids season tickets! Family-Friendly Pricing on Rapids Season Tickets will return for the 2004 MLS Season at Invesco Field; named "One of the Best Bargains in Denver" by 5280 Magazine, Rapids Season Tickets provide kids ages 6-16 with half-priced season tickets, and kids 5 & Under get Free Season Tickets when their parents buy one!

There is no better Holiday Gift for your family than Rapids Season Tickets, so get your order in today! The different Season Ticket Options for 2004 include: Full-Season, Half-Season, Flex-Plan, Fieldside, Suite, and Club Level Packages.

To select your seats today, for pricing information, or for details on any of the 2004 Rapids season ticket packages, call the Rapids Ticket Hotline at (303) 825-GOAL or click here: http://www.coloradorapids.com/site/goal.asp?cid=219

7.) BUY A 2004 DESK CALENDAR AND HELP SUPPORT DENVER SCORES

The Colorado Rapids have a limited number of 2004 Desk Calendars for sale. Each features different monthly photos and inspirational quotes from inner-city kids from Denver Scores, a non-profit afterschool soccer and creative writing program that serves 250 at-risk Denver youth.

Each calendar is only $15 and all proceeds benefit Denver Scores! To order yours today, call the Rapids at (303) 299-1598. And to learn more about Denver Scores, click here: http://www.denverscores.org/index.php?id=172

8.) ONLINE SOCCER ARTICLE OF THE WEEK

Today's RapidFire Online Soccer Article of the Week reports on the success of the MLS-led U.S. Under-20 Men's National Team, who scored three unanswered goals in the second half to down Paraguay 3-1 in the first match of Group F of the FIFA World Youth Championship at Al-Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi: http://www.mlsnet.com/content/03/us1129u20s.html

9.) RAPIDFIRE QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Today's RapidFire quote of the week comes from Rapids midfielder Pablo Mastroeni, who just re-signed with the team, keeping him in Denver through the 2007 season:

"I'm excited to have been able to sign a long term deal with Rapids that will allow me to stay and play here in Colorado," Mastroeni said. "The core group of guys in the team has proven their dedication and hard work to try to make this franchise a better one. It is going to be great to be able to play again in front of the Colorado fans that have been so supportive of this team for the past eight years."

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Major League Soccer Stories from December 2, 2003


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