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MLS Colorado Rapids

Rapids Weekly Report

January 13, 2004 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release


Major League Soccer enhanced its player pool yet again Monday by signing U.S. Under-23 National Team defender Chris Wingert and talented college freshman Ramon Nunez. Both players will be eligible for selection at the 2004 MLS SuperDraft, held this Friday from 8a.m. to noon MST at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, N.C.

Wingert, who guided St. John's University to the NCAA Division I College Cup Final, was rewarded for his efforts with the Missouri Athletic Club's Hermann Trophy, awarded annually to the nation's top college soccer player. The 21-year-old defender has been the anchor of the Red Storm defense for the past four years. In addition to winning the Hermann Trophy, he was honored this year as the BIG EAST Player of the Year and a first team All-American.

At the end of December, Wingert was named to the U.S. U-23 National Team, which will compete for a berth in the 2004 Athens Olympics at the final round of CONCACAF Olympic qualifying in Guadalajara, Mexico in February. Wingert is currently training with the U-23s at the National Training Center in Carson, Calif.

Ramon Nunez, 18, leaves Southern Methodist University for MLS after his freshman year, forgoing his remaining three years of college eligibility.

In his only season at SMU, Nunez led the team in points and assists and was named to the NSCAA All-Midwest Region first team. Prior to college, Nunez was named to the Parade All-America first team twice and in 2002, he was selected the nation's top recruit by Soccer America.

To read the whole story, click here: http://www.mlsnet.com/content/04/mls0113signees.html

2.) ADIDAS MLS PLAYER COMBINE UNDERWAY THIS WEEK

MLS General Managers and Coaches are all in attendance this week to scout talent at the adidas MLS Player Combine, the event leading up to the 2004 SuperDraft, which will be held on Friday, January 16.

The 2004 adidas MLS Player Combine is taking place at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., where 61 athletes, including eight recently added Project-40 players, have been divided into four squads for the three-day, round-robin tournament.

Several of the players in the Combine have distinguished themselves by their play this week; for the latest news and buzz on player standouts during the Combine, click here: http://www.mlsnet.com/content/04/combine0113notes.html

3.) MLS ADDS EIGHT NEW PLAYERS TO PROJECT-40; BECKERMAN GRADUATES

Major League Soccer has unveiled eight Nike Project-40 signings ahead of the League's 2004 season. The signings bring some of the brightest young stars in college and U.S. National Team soccer to MLS. All eight players will be available for selection in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft.

Created in 1997, Nike Project-40 is a joint venture between MLS and U.S. Soccer aimed at providing America's top young soccer players with the opportunity to play and train in a professional environment on a daily basis. Players signed to Nike Project-40 contracts receive an educational stipend in addition to their salary and a developmental spot on the roster of their MLS club.

The stellar new Nike Project-40 class includes five members of the U.S. Men's Under-20 National Team that turned in an impressive performance at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship in the United Arab Emirates. STEVE CRONIN, who joins American Kasey Keller as a goalkeeper named to the World Youth Championship All-Tournament team, departs Santa Clara University after his junior season to join Project-40, along with U-20 teammate and fellow SCU junior, defender RYAN COCHRANE. Another U-20 defender who impressed at the 2003 Championships, CHAD MARSHALL, has opted to leave Stanford University after his sophomore season to join MLS. U-20 midfielder NED GRABAVOY, who helped Indiana University win its sixth NCAA Division I Men's Soccer title at Crew Stadium in Columbus on Dec. 14, 2003, is forgoing his final season at IU, and CLINT DEMPSEY, a U-20 forward, is leaving Furman University prior to his junior year to ply his trade in professional soccer. Also forgoing their senior seasons from the college ranks to sign with Nike Project-40 are Maryland defender CLARENCE GOODSON and Cincinnati midfielder JOSH GARDNER. Rounding out the class of 2004 is U.S. U-17 player MICHAEL BRADLEY, who is the son of MetroStars head coach Bob Bradley.

In conjunction with the new signings, Durbin also announced a group of nine players who have graduated from the program. That list includes JUSTIN MAPP of the Chicago Fire, RICARDO CLARK and MIKE MAGEE of the MetroStars, LOGAN PAUSE of the Columbus Crew, KYLE BECKERMAN of the Colorado Rapids, NICK DOWNING (option not renewed by New England) and ISAIAS BARDALES (option not renewed by Los Angeles). Effective immediately, these players will no longer receive the roster protection granted to members of Nike Project-40.

For the entire story and player bio's, click here: http://www.mlsnet.com/content/04/pro400108signees.html

4.) MLS SUPERDRAFT RAPIDS PREVIEW

The 2004 MLS SuperDraft is taking place this Friday, January 16, from 8am-noon MST in Charlotte. The following is a brief overview of the Rapids' draft picks:
The Rapids currently hold the following picks:
1st Round: NONE
2nd Round: 5th (15th overall)
3rd Round: NONE
4th Round: 5th (35th overall)
5th Round: 5th (45th overall)
6th Round: 5th (55th overall)

DRAFT NOTES:

- The Rapids' first round pick was sent to San Jose in exchange for GK Joe Cannon's rights last season.

- Colorado's third round pick went to Columbus during the 2003 draft (Colorado obtained the 27th overall selection {Jason Cole} from Columbus in exchange for the Colorado's natural Third-Round pick in 2004 and the 58th overall selection in 2003 {Jake Traegger}).

HOW TO FOLLOW THE DRAFT:

-TV: Fans can follow the first hour of the MLS Draft live for the first time on TV on Fox Sports World. FSW will also be doing a full recap of the SuperDraft later Friday night.

-ONLINE: The best online draft coverage will be provided by MatchNight.com. To follow the entire SuperDraft live, fans can click here for play-by-play updates and scouting reports: http://www.matchnight.com/scouting/draft_display.cfm

5.) VOTE FOR ZIZI ROBERTS FOR LIBERIAN PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Rapids striker Zizi Roberts is leading the voting for Liberian Player of the Year on the Liberian Soccer Assn. website. Fans can vote online for free for Zizi by clicking here: http://www.liberiansoccer.com/home.htm

6.) PHOTOS POSTED FROM RAPIDS XMAS PARTY FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED KIDS

Check out photos from the Rapids' "Kicks for Kids" Christmas Party for underprivileged kids, held at Ocean Journey at the end of December. Photos are now posted on the Rapids website; view them by clicking here: http://www.coloradorapids.com/site/goal.asp?cid=254

7.) MASTROENI, CANNON, KOTSCHAU & TEAM USA FACE DENMARK SUNDAY ON ESPN

The United States Men's National Team will play its first match at The Home Depot Center when they face 13th ranked Denmark this Sunday, Jan. 18 in Carson, CA. Kickoff for the match is set for 1:30 p.m. MT, and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN. Don't forget to tune in Sunday, and for the game preview, click here: http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=50151

8.) ONLINE STORY OF THE WEEK

US Soccer.com asked Nat Borchers to recall his stellar 2003 season in a player diary entitled, "Making it to the Show". Read Nat's take on his Cinderella season online by clicking here: http://www.ussoccer.com/editorial/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=46547

9.) INTERVIEW OF THE WEEK

FIFA.com hosted an interview with former Rapids Head Coach and current US U-23 Coach "Mooch" Myernick on the eve of the USA's run to try and secure themselves a spot in the Athens Olympics. Rapids players Kyle Beckerman and Nat Borchers are hopefuls to compete at the games of the XXVIII Olympiad this August. Click here to read the interview: http://www.fifa.com/en/display/article,73759.html

10.) RAPIDS SPRING TRAINING SCHEDULE

(Note: all dates are tentative and subject to change)

-MON. JAN. 26: All players report for first day of training camp.

-JAN. 26-FEB. 10: 2-a-day training sessions at Rapids Training Center, Westminster.

-TUES. JAN. 27: Entrance physicals.

-FEB. 11-25: Spring Training Camp in Bradenton, Florida. Games vs. NY, Chicago, and DC.

-FEB. 28-MARCH 2: Training sessions at Rapids Training Center, Westminster.

-MARCH 3-17: Training camp in Malaga, Spain. Games TBA vs. various Scandinavian teams.

-MARCH 18: Team returns to Colorado.

-MARCH 21-31: Training sessions at Rapids Training Center, Westminster.

-MARCH 27TH: Exhibition match vs. MetroStars in Austin, Texas.

-SAT. APRIL 3: Opening Day of 2004 MLS season. NOTE: All training sessions at Rapids Training Center in Westminster are free and open to the public.

11.) GET YOUR RAPIDS SEASON TICKET ORDERS IN NOW BEFORE THE SPRING RUSH

Didn't get the present you wanted for the holidays? Treat yourself: now is the time to select your seats for the 2004 Rapids season at Invesco Field. 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

12.) RAPIDFIRE EXCLUSIVE: CHECKING IN W/RITCHIE KOTSCHAU AT TEAM USA CAMP

RapidFire was able to catch up with Rapids left back Ritchie Kotschau in between training sessions with the US Men's National Team, as the squad gears up to face Denmark this Sunday:

KOTSCHAU ON GETTING THE CALL UP TO THE NATIONAL TEAM:

"Last time I got invited into the National Team camp was in ‘99 or 2000, so I was surprised to get called in again. But it's a good opportunity for me to try and make the squads for the Denmark and Holland games. Also because of all the great players here, I am able to get some great training in, and hopefully improve my game a bit."

ON THE VARIOUS US TEAM CAMPS GOING ON SIMULTANEOUSLY:

"I don't see Joe (Cannon) that often, as the goalies go through separate training than we do. And I know Pablo (Mastroeni) is still in Colorado but we should see him out here soon. I have seen Nat (Borchers) and Kyle (Beckerman) though, since the Olympic team is out here training. It's cool to just be able to go on over and see those guys training.

It's a great experience with all the different teams working out here at the same time, and the Home Depot Center facilities are immaculate."

ON WHETHER HE WILL START VS. DENMARK ON JAN. 18:

"It's kind of early to see whether I'm going to see action vs. Denmark, but I'm crossing my fingers right now. Bruce's (Arena) professionalism has been great. I'm basically going out to training and putting everything out there on the table. Hopefully it's what they want to see."

Watch Team USA (with a player pool including Rapids players Ritchie Kotschau, Pablo Mastroeni and Joe Cannon) take on Denmark in the first-ever National Team match played at the Home Depot Center live on ESPN on Wed. January 18 at 1:30pm MT. For more information, click here: http://www.ussoccer.com/events/report.sps?iEventID=13128&categoryid=85

13.) RAPIDFIRE QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Today's RapidFire quote of the week comes from Team USA Olympic Coach (and former Rapids Head Coach) Glenn "Mooch" Myernick, on the progress of Rapids defender Nat Borchers, who is in contention for making the trip to the Athens Olympics this summer:

"If you look at the squad, you will see the more experienced players in this particular pool are the attacking players like Beasley, Donovan, Buddle and Casey. We are not particularly experienced in the back. Nat had a chance to go with the Colorado Rapids this year.

I have known Nat for a while - a very quiet and unassuming defender who had an opportunity through some injuries to get some starts. Sometime, the door cracks open and if you can get your foot in and drag the rest of your body in behind it when the opportunity comes, you can secure a place.

He had an opportunity to play next to Robin Fraser, one of the most experienced defenders in MLS. Nat did very well. He continues to grow. I had him start the first game against St. Kitts, and he is doing very well."

Visit the official site of the 2004 Olympics online by clicking here: http://www.olympic.org/uk/games/athens/index_uk.asp

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