Rapids Weekly Playoff Scenarios Update

If you haven’t noticed, we are posting weekly updates on the Rapids website with updates every Tuesday of the latest scenarios, rankings and qualification tables for the Rapids’ push to the playoffs.

This is the most up to date source each week for the latest possible playoff scenarios.

You can view the most updated version every Tuesday by clicking here.

Rapids Weekly Playoff Scenarios Update

Kickin' Back With Omar

The Colorado Rapids supplied MLSNet.com with a bunch of photos and facilitated a personal interview with Rapids striker Omar Cummings for their new online feature, "Kickin' Back", which will feature MLS players and their hobbies and pastimes in their personal life.

Omar is the first player to be spotlighted in this new feature.

Check out their interview & photo gallery of Omar, focusing on his life off the pitch, by clicking here.

The Rapids staffperson who took the blurry photo of Omar, Kosuke and Ziggy Marley (who takes only 1 photo of those guys all in the same room???) will remain nameless.......

Kickin' Back With Omar

Rapids Reward Group Leader With San Jose Trip

The Colorado Rapids had a great prize in store for Rapids fan Cindy Thomas.

As part of a rewards program for group leaders bringing fans out to Rapids home games at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Cindy, from the Real Colorado Soccer Club, was awarded a free trip to the Rapids' match at San Jose the weekend of Sept. 18.

Cindy to date has exceeded 5,000 tickets sold to Rapids home matches over the course of 2009!

Cindy kept a diary from her trip, and here it is below!

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"Thanks to the Colorado Rapids, we were able to have a short but wonderful get-a-way last week to San Jose, CA.

As a 2009 Group Leader for Rapids Ticket Sales, whose team sold over 5,000 tickets, I qualified for the Rapids' highest level of reward benefits. My prize included free airfare, hotel and tickets to an away match of my choice!

I picked the Rapids' game at San Jose on Sept. 18 as my prize; we left Denver on Sept. 16 and returned on Sept. 19. We stayed in the luxurious Fairmont Hotel in San Jose.

We spent all our time as total California tourists (except of course, when we watched the Rapids take on the Earthquakes at Buck Shaw Stadium and then when we slipped up to AT&T Park in San Francisco to watch the Colorado Rockies beat the San Francisco Giants.....then we represented as true Coloradans!)

My husband Peter and I drove up and down the Monterey-Carmel coastline. We visited Santa Cruz and had lunch in Capitola on the beach on Thursday. We visited the Talbott Winery Tasting Café in Monterey County and then drove through downtown Monterey to Fisherman’s Wharf and Cannery Row, ending our day at a 'South American Fusion' restaurant in downtown San Jose.

On Friday, Sept. 18, we hiked through the Henry Cowell Redwood State Park, in total awe of these national treasures. The total tranquility, a running river, the beautiful day and these majestic trees were very awe-inspiring.

Then it was back to Monterey to the Monterey Fish House for lunch – very fresh and unassuming seafood. Our self-guided tour led us on the famous '17 Mile Drive' around and through Pebble Beach. I have personally never been on such a ride where you experience just about every topography (mountains to seashore) and climate (cool, dense fog to bright hot sunshine) that California has to offer in a span of 17 miles! We also loved the very unique town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, which you really have to see for yourself to appreciate.

The culmination of our trip was the Rapids v. San Jose Earthquakes game on Friday evening, which was played at Buck Shaw Stadium on the campus of Santa Clara University. The game was close, ending in a tie in stoppage time thanks to Conor Casey's last minute penalty kick....very exciting!

We really enjoyed the appreciation of the Colorado Rapids in sending us on this trip!

Needless to say, I will be very happy to continue to assist our Rapids in their ticket sales efforts and would totally recommend that other team leaders set similar goals for themselves, as there are a lot of great rewards available, for sales numbers starting as low as 100 tickets.

Thank you, Rapids for helping us take this wonderful vacation!

-Cindy Thomas"

To learn more about the Rapids' group leaders rewards program, call the Rapids at (303) 825-GOAL!

Rapids Reward Group Leader With San Jose Trip

Rapids Supporters Tailgate For Saturday: Chili Cookoff!

The Second Annual Supporters Chili Cookoff will take place at the Class VI/C-Firm Supporters Tailgate prior to this Saturday's match!

Taking place in the VIP East parking lot at the stadium before the Rapids' final regular season home game, the supporters' tailgate is open to fans of all ages to attend.

The Rapids Supporters welcome all fans to come show their skill at the art of chili prepration! Red or green chili are all welcome for judging. There are even rumors of a white chili with clams in honor of the visit from New England. If you're not up for making chili, come eat chili and cast your vote for a winner.

The tailgate begins at 5:00pm Saturday and voting for the cookoff begins at 5:20 pm. As usual, there will be hot dogs, beer, soda and whatever you (and others) contribute to the community tables to ensure 100% satisfaction at our final regular season tailgate of the year.

The tailgates, organized by the Centennial Firm and Class VI supporters groups, are free to attend, and open to all fans to come visit and mingle with the supporters for great food, soccer talk, music and good times! Rapids players, the club's technical staff and other special guests also appear frequently at the tailgates.

After the tailgate and this year's 'Lord of the Crock' has been named, come cheer the Rapids into the MLS playoffs when they fight the Revs with a 7:00pm kickoff.

For full details and more info on Class VI and the C-Firm, visit NoFanAlone.com.

Rapids Supporters Tailgate For Saturday: Chili Cookoff!

Rapids vs. Wizards Game Notes Guide

Your Colorado Rapids play their second match in four days when they travel to Kansas City to take on the Wizards.

Kickoff is set for 6:30pm MT this Sat., Sept. 26th at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.

Read the entire Game Notes Guide assembled by the Rapids Media Relations dept. for Saturday’s game online by clicking here.

Colorado (10-8-8, 38 pts) moved up one spot in the Western Conference standings per their 1-1 result against San Jose Wednesday night and are now tied for third place with Seattle. For the moment, the Rapids hold onto one of the four wildcard positions in the playoff race, but three points against Kansas City this weekend would do wonders for Colorado’s postseason plans with only four regular season games remaining.

Kansas City (8-11-6, 30 pts) are looking to jump into the playoff race in the East coming from their current sixth place spot. The Wizards enter the match having won three of their last four matches.

The Rapids look forward to seeing all fans for the official away-game viewing party at the British Bulldog, located at Broadway and Stout Streets in Lodo, on Saturday night! Don't forget to wear your burgundy!

Rapids vs. Wizards Game Notes Guide

Casey Speaks About His Record-Setting Goal

Conor Casey's goal Wednesday gave him a league-leading 15 goals and set the club record for the Rapids, surpassing John Spencer's previous high of 14 in 2001 and 2003.

Comments from Casey following the match:

"It feels good [to break the record]. I think I'll feel better once we're in the playoffs.

"I went down the middle last time, and I tried to show like I was going to his [SJ 'keeper Joe Cannon's] left and put it the other way, and luckily he dove.

"Good point, given the circumstances, but it was a terrible game from us. We have to be a lot better if we want to move forward. We have to get at least a win if not more in the next four games. It was a disappointing night, but in the end to be down 1-0 and come out with a point is fortuitous.

"Right now it's just crunch time. We want to make sure we're in the playoffs as soon as possible, and the last two games we haven't played well, so we need to turn that around."

Read this entire article on MLSNet.com by clicking here.

Casey Speaks About His Record-Setting Goal

Season Ticket Renewal Headquarters

Hey Rapids Season Ticket Holders!

Don't forget - Saturday October 3rd is the Early Renewal Deadline for your 2010 Season Tickets! Full Season Ticket Holders - lock in your 2009 price by renewing by Oct. 3rd! Take advantage of our 0% Interest Program and pay with Direct Withdrawal for 2010, see your Renewal Packet for more details.

Don't miss out on your opportunity to renew your Full Season Package or upgrade to Full Season Tickets and be entered into our amazing renewal prize raffle. This week we will be giving out Fieldside Seats, Tickets to an Avalanche game, Tickets to a Rapids away game and more!

Renewal Headquarters will be set up at the remaining two home games. It will be located atop section 120, you can't miss it. Full Season Ticket Holders can guarantee your same seats, receive the full amount of your tickets onto your Kickback Card AND receive a team autographed flag - all for renewing or upgrading by October 3rd!

DON'T DELAY - RENEW TODAY!

Season Ticket Renewal Headquarters

Mile High Sports Previews Tonight's Match

George Tanner over at Mile High Sports has written a match preview of tonight's game vs. San Jose.

Read it online here.

His article was sent out on the Mile High Sports Daily e-blast this morning as part of their concerted effort to provide more soccer and Rapids-specific coverage.

Not signed up to receive Mile High Sports Daily e-newsletters? It's free and delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up here.

Mile High Sports Previews Tonight's Match

Wednesday's Rapids v. San Jose Game Notes Guide

Tomorrow night your Rapids conclude their second straight home-and-away series, this time vs San Jose at home.

Game two of the series is tomorrow night vs. the Quakes, and kicks off at 7:30pm MT at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

Read the entire Game Notes Guide assembled by the Rapids Media Relations dept. for this game online by clicking here.

The Rapids are shooting for the full 3 points at home, and will look for returning captain Pablo Mastroeni to return to the squad following the completion of his 3-game suspension.

Don't forget to show up early to the stadium tomorrow night starting at 5:30pm, when the Rapids Beer Hall opens for the club's annual Oktoberfest celebration!

Wednesday's Rapids v. San Jose Game Notes Guide

Casey On the Verge of a Club Record

With his 95th minute penalty strike against San Jose on Friday, Rapids striker Conor Casey tied the club's all-time record for goals scored in a single season.

Casey's tally, his 14th this year, ties him with Rapids Gallery of Honor member John Spencer atop the category (who notched 14 goals in 2 separate seasons).

Even more impressively, Casey did it in fewer games than any other Rapids player in history, needing only 19 games this year to hit for 14 goals.

With 5 games still to go in the regular season, Casey stands a good chance of breaking the record, and could do so this Wednesday vs. San Jose.

ALL-TIME RAPIDS GOALS SCORED IN A SINGLE SEASON
(top 5 players):

YEAR, PLAYER, GP, GOALS
2001 John Spencer 23 14
2003 John Spencer 27 14
2009 Conor Casey 19 14
1998 Wolde Harris 27 13
2005 Jeff Cunningham 26 12

Casey On the Verge of a Club Record

MLSNet: "Rapids Remain in Thick of Playoff Hunt"

Owen Perkins posted an article over at MLSNet.com with the Rapids' players and coaches previewing tonight's match vs. San Jose.

Some excerpted quotes:

"We've put ourselves in a great position so we have a really good opportunity," midfielder Greg Dalby said, having made his second start of the season in Saturday's 3-2 loss to Toronto.

"The part of the season we've finished with is behind us, and as of right now we've got six games. I think we all really feel positive about it. We've set ourselves up with the opportunity to make a playoff push and get in there."

"The players have got something to prove," Smith said of San Jose. "They want to get back in. They want to earn themselves next year's contract. Or to be there next year will be their target I'm sure. So it won't be easy at all.

"If we can get a result there, we will have done an extremely good job, and we may well find ourselves a yard in front of where we might have been come home Wednesday. If we can get a result, it will go a long way to doing two jobs. They know it will be tough here Wednesday, and if we can get anything out of Friday, it will make life even more difficult for them Wednesday."

Read Perkins' article online by clicking here.

MLSNet: "Rapids Remain in Thick of Playoff Hunt"

Friday's Rapids at San Jose Game Notes Guide

The Rapids face their second straight home-and-away series, this time vs. San Jose.

Game one of the series is tomorrow night at San Jose, and will be nationally televised on ESPN-2.

Kickoff is set for 9:00pm MT tomorrow.

Read the entire Game Notes Guide assembled by the Rapids Media Relations dept. for this game online by clicking here.

The Rapids will be gunning to sweep this 2-game series with San Jose, a move that would vault them toward the top of the conference and closer toward securing a postseason berth.

Join the Rapids' most dedicated fans at the official away-game viewing party for this match, at Fado Irish Pub, located at 1735 19th Street in Lodo Friday night to come cheer on your Rapids in a great soccer atmosphere.......Remember to wear your burgundy and arrive early to get a seat!

Friday's Rapids at San Jose Game Notes Guide

Supporters Tailgate Details for Next Wednesday

Did you know that the Rapids' supporters clubs organize their own official tailgate in the VIP East parking lot at Dick's Sporting Goods Park 2 hours before kickoff of all Rapids home games?

The tailgates, organized by the Centennial Firm and Class VI supporters groups, are free to attend, and open to all fans to come visit and mingle with the supporters for great food, soccer talk, music and good times! Rapids players, the club's technical staff and other special guests also appear frequently at the tailgates.

How would you describe the tailgating activities that take place? Here's a description in the words of the supporters themselves:

"Where can you find IT professionals, artists, students, realtors, chefs, lawyers and sexy beermaidens, all of whom are the Rapids' zaniest supporters?

At the Class VI/C-Firm tailgate two hours before (5:30 pm) the next Rapids home game against San Jose on September 23rd.

Join us for hot dogs, beer, sodas, light hearted frivolity and serious soccer talk. Plus, in honor of Rapids Oktoberfest, we'll have our own smoking hot beermaiden, no kidding. Oh yeah, bring a dish or some food to share.

Then, join C-Firm is sections 100 or 101 to stand for the game or take a seat and cheer the Rapids to victory and the playoffs in section 108 with Class VI."

Stop by the supporters' tailgate before the game next Wednesday (and before all home Rapids games).

For more information, visit www.NoFanAlone.com

Supporters Tailgate Details for Next Wednesday

MLS Will Take Break During 2010 World Cup

MLS Commissioner Don Garber has just announced that for the first time in the league's 15-year history, MLS will break during their 2010 season for the group stages of the World Cup.

Full story.

MLS Will Take Break During 2010 World Cup

Elias: Colorado Have Easiest Remaining Schedule

Elias Sports Bureau, the official statisticians of MLS, have crunched some numbers to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of MLS clubs' remaining schedules for the 2009 season.

In an aricle on MLSNet.com, Peter Hirdt, Elias VP, wrote an article breaking down stats for each club and how their upcoming matches compare based on who they will face before the end of the regular season.

Based on their statistical breakdowns, according to Elias the Rapids technically have the advantage of the easiest schedule for the rest of 2009 based on their remaining opponents' performances this year to date.

The excerpted portion of the article:

"The other key factor in determining who has an inside track to a playoff position is the relative strength of each team's remaining schedule. Some of the differences are massive. Half of the teams still have to play opponents with an average winning percentage either below .480 or above .520. The lower the percentage, the easier the schedule:

• Easiest remaining schedules: Colorado, .423; Toronto FC, .448; Real Salt Lake, .451; Chivas USA, .462"

In their final six matches, the Rapids face off against San Jose (twice), Kansas City, New England, Dallas and then Salt Lake.

Read Hirdt's entire story online here.

Elias: Colorado Have Easiest Remaining Schedule

Transcript From Conor Casey Chat

Rapids striker and current MLS leading scorer Conor Casey held an online chat today with fans on ESPN.com.

Questions ranged from what razor Casey uses to shave his head with, to how it feels to be playing in his hometown, to what are his greatest MLS memories.

Read the entire transcript from today's chat by clicking here.

Transcript From Conor Casey Chat

Soccer365.com's Interview With Drew Moor

Brian Jennings of Soccer365.com had the chance to sit down with new Rapids defender Drew Moor and get his take on his move from his native Dallas to Colorado.

Read the entire article online at Soccer365.com by clicking here.

Some excerpted quotes from Moor:

“It’s mixed emotions because Dallas is a place I was born and raised,” admitted the 25 yr old Moor. “It was great being drafted there. Having spent the last almost 5 years there I could’ve almost seen myself playing there for my career. (Dallas) obviously had different plans, what they are I’m not sure, but Colorado opened their arms and who doesn’t want to come to a team that has gone after you a little bit?

“[Colorado are] a great group of guys and great coaching staff and I couldn’t be more excited to be here. It’s a team fighting for a playoff spot and it’s almost like a second chance at doing something this year....to come to a team that’s moving in the right direction and had a couple of good results in the last weeks is always nice.”

Soccer365.com's Interview With Drew Moor

Rapids Help Distribute 30,000 Pounds of Food to Colorado's Hungry Families

This afternoon, the Colorado Rapids demonstrated their commitment to continuing to fight hunger in our local community by participating in a gigantic donation event to help feed Colorado's needy families.

The Rapids teamed up with Lift Up America and Tyson Foods for the second straight year in a row to distribute over 30,000 pounds of chicken to the area’s less fortunate from the central home base of the Rapids' stadium.

Today at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, several Rapids players and mascots joined over 20 contributing agencies and other community members for the program. Participants represented a wide range of local area non-profits who were excited to receive large donations of quality protein, which is much sought-after for food donation programs.

A huge 18-wheeler of Tyson chicken pulled up to the stadium right at noon, and following speeches by Rapids Managing Director Jeff Plush, Commerce City Mayor Paul Natale, and representatives of Tyson Foods, Food Bank of the Rockies, Lift Up America, and the Denver Mayor's Office of Community Impact, the Rapids players helped unload boxes, which were then dispensed to Denver metro area non-profit organizations and food banks selected for their needs by Food Bank of the Rockies.

The meat donated at today's event will supply over 120,000 meals to local families.

Today’s event marks the continuation of the Rapids Foundation's committment to fighting hunger in our local community. The Rapids Community Care Foundation runs initiatives year-round to eliminate hunger by hosting food collection drives at Rapids home games, participating in annual fundraisers promoting healthy lifestyles in schools, and sponsoring the Food Bank of the Rockies’ “Totes of Hope” program.

Thanks to Tyson Foods and Lift Up America for their help in organizing today's event.

For more information on how you can get involved with the Rapids in the fight against hunger, please visit the Rapids Foundation's official website by clicking here.

Rapids Help Distribute 30,000 Pounds of Food to Colorado's Hungry Families

Rapids at Toronto 9/12/09 - Game Notes Guide

The Rapids face another big time match against Toronto for the 2nd time in 2 weeks, although this time it will be played north of the border.

It's the first of the Rapids' final 7 games of the season, and kickoff is set for this Saturday, Sept. 12 at 2pm MT.

Read the entire Game Notes Guide assembled by the Rapids Media Relations dept. for this game online by clicking here.

Your Rapids and Toronto meet for the second and final time this year in the back end of a home-and-away series that could have massive implications on the postseason ambitions for both clubs.

Join the Rapids' most dedicated fans at the official away-game viewing party for this match, at GB Fish & Chips, located at 1311 South Broadway in Denver.......Remember to wear your burgundy and arrive early to get a seat!

Rapids at Toronto 9/12/09 - Game Notes Guide

A Celebration of Nines

As we pass by this unique date and time in history (9:09 am on Sept. 9, 2009, making it right now 9:09, 9/09/09) let's take a second to celebrate the history of number 9s in Rapids history.

Six total players in club history have worn the number 9 over the years since the Rapids' inaugural season of 1996.

Here they are, with stats from their time spent with Colorado:

Shawn Bartlett: 1996-97. 36 games played, 2,830 minutes, 9 goals, 9 assists.

Paul Bravo: 1997-2001 (he wore #8 in '97). 135 games played, 10,351 minutes, 39 goals, 22 assists, all-time leader in goals, multi-goal games, and game-winning goals, 1 Gallery of Honor induction.

Nat Borchers: 2003-05 (he wore #26 in '03). 83 games played, 7,432 minutes, 2 goals, 2 asists.

Clint Mathis: 2006. 25 games played, 1,346 minutes, 2 goals, 1 assist.

Jose Cancela: 2007. 11 games played, 611 minutes, 1 goal, 0 assists.

Conor Casey: 2008-present. 53 games played, 3,784 minutes, 25 goals, 6 assists, all-time leader in hat tricks.

Interesting of note is that the years 2002 and 2003 were the only years in club history without a player wearing #9 on the roster.

Also the MLSNet.com statistics page shows former Rapids striker Thiago Martins as also wearing the #9 (in 2006), but in actuality the club's Brazilian forward wore #30.

A Celebration of Nines

Casey Still Leading in Race For the MLS Golden Boot

With his fantastic header against Toronto Saturday night, Rapids stiker Conor Casey still sits atop the standings in the race for the MLS Golden Boot, presented annually to the league's top scorer.

Interesting of note as well is the fact that Colorado are the only team to have 2 players represented (Casey and Omar Cummings) in the top 10 scorers in the league.

Here's the latest standings as of today:

NAME, TEAM, GOALS, [ASSISTS], (GAMES PLAYED)

Conor Casey, COL, 12 [1] (17)

Fredy Montero, SEA, 10 [6] (21)

Landon Donovan, LA, 10 [5] (19)

Jeff Cunningham, FCD, 10 [5] (21)

Guillermo Schelotto, CLB, 10 [3] (19)

Robbie Findley, RSL, 10 [2] (21)

Dwayne De Rosario, TOR, 9 [3] (22)

Juan Pablo Angel, NY, 9 [1] (22)

Omar Cummings, COL, 8 [11] (21)

Luciano Emilio, DC, 8 [2] (21)

For the complete MLS stats listings, click here.

*Note: In the event of a tie on total goals scored, MLS ranks those players who have recorded more assists higher, and in the event they are tied on assists as well, those players who have played less games are ranked higher.

Casey Still Leading in Race For the MLS Golden Boot

Rapids Academy Top Denver Kickers Premier in Exhibition Match

The Colorado Rapids brought a combination of the club's U16 and U18 Rapids Academy players to the Denver Kickers clubhouse for an exhibition this past Sunday afternoon.

The Rapids Academy squad took on the Kickers top Men’s Amateur team, Kickers Premier.

It was perfect weather for kickoff, as the storm clouds held off just enough for the match.

Several Kickers club members were on hand in the audience for the match, which also included a great special on beer and brat lunch!

The affair was a tight game, with the Rapids unable to capitalize on several first half chances.

The Rapids' Davy Armstrong, an All-Star from this year's adidas ESP camp held at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, took a free kick that rebounded off the wall back to him. The Rangeview High School forward's second effort would not be stopped as he lasered home a volley from 25 yards out, just seconds before the halftime whistle.

The teams entered halftime with the Rapids Academy up 1-0.

With both teams showing some fatigue in the second half, the Rapids failed to extend their lead and had to hang on, with goalkeeper Chris Couperus making two key second half saves to preserve the Rapids Academy's 1-0 win.

Thanks to all fans who showed up and the Denver Kickers for hosting the exhibition on Sunday! Visit the Kickers online by clicking here.

Rapids Academy Top Denver Kickers Premier in Exhibition Match

Rapids vs. Toronto Game Notes Guide

The Rapids face a huge match tonight at home vs. Toronto, as it's the first of only 3 remaining games this regular season that will be played in the friendly confines of Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

Read the entire Game Notes Guide assembled by the Rapids Media Relations dept. for tonight's game online by clicking here.

Your Rapids and Toronto meet for the first time tonight in the front end of a home-and-away series that could have massive implications on the postseason ambitions for both clubs, as Colorado turn right around and travel to BMO Field next weekend for the rubber match at TFC.

Gates open at 7:00pm for tonight's match, but the stadium Cantina will open at 5:30pm to allow fans to come in early and watch the USA v. El Salvador World Cup Qualifier.

Rapids vs. Toronto Game Notes Guide

Bravo Discusses the Rapids adidas Alliance

Rapids Technical Director Paul Bravo recently spoke with USSoccerPlayers.com to give an inside look into the creation and operations of the Rapids' newly-formed adidas Alliance.

This new program has linked the Rapids with the Boulder County Force Soccer Club, Denver metro-area Colorado Storm Soccer Association, and the Colorado Springs-based Pride Soccer Club.

Click here to read the full interview.

In addition to scouting and managing Rapids first team players and the salary cap, Bravo also oversees the Rapids' youth development programs.

Bravo Discusses the Rapids adidas Alliance

ColoradoSoccerNow's Q&A With Spencer

George Tanner of ColoradoSoccerNow.com caught up with Rapids Gallery of Honor inductee John Spencer over the weekend for an in-depth question and answer session.

Read the entire interview on their site by clicking here.

Some excerpted quotes from Spenny:

"Speaking to family and friends, [the Rapids Gallery of Honor induction] is probably the nicest thing that anybody’s done for my in my whole career. I feel very, very honored to be up on the wall with some good players. It’s an individual award, but when you get individual awards you only get them because the people around you helped you achieved the, teammates, family, friends and the fans.

"The biggest thank-you is always going to the fans for me because, as I said, they gave me that love and that passion back. I’m very, very honored to receive it. It will be nice to come back and see my name up on that wall.

"I’ve got a lot of friends who still live in this area. Paul works in Colorado. Dave Kramer is the goalie coach that I played with. I look at this time, the time I spent here in Colorado as a player, as on par with Chelsea when I played there for the five, six years that I was there, as enjoyment.

"I really, really enjoyed my football here. I didn’t have a good spell at Motherwell in Scotland before I came to Colorado, but after being here two or three weeks, the fans were so … It was a great atmosphere in the old Mile High to play. I got my love and my passion for the game back, and the rest is history. I love this place, and I always say that when I’m going to retire this will be the place I retire for the rest of my days."

ColoradoSoccerNow's Q&A With Spencer

Mastroeni to Miss Three Games

The Rapids learned today that captain Pablo Mastroeni earned an additional two game suspension and will be unavailable to the team for their next three matches.

Mastroeni picked up his fifth yellow card on the season this past Sunday, resulting in a one game suspension due to caution accumulation, following his foul on Andrew Hainault in the 64th minute.

Upon further review, the league’s Disciplinary Committee added an additional two matches to Mastroeni’s suspension which will result in him missing Colorado’s games at Toronto (9/12) and at San Jose (9/18).

Mastroeni to Miss Three Games

Rapids Developmental Squad to Take on Denver Kickers Sunday

Rapids fans can make it a complete weekend of soccer action beginning with Colorado's match Saturday night against Toronto FC at 8 pm at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

The following day, fans can head over to Golden as a Rapids' developmental squad travel to face the Denver Kickers this Sunday, Sept. 6 at 1 pm at the Denver Kickers Sport Club.

Admission and parking for Sunday's match will be free for all fans.

"It is an honor to host this Rapids side at the Denver Kickers Sport Club and we look forward to making this an annual event for our members and the soccer community as a whole," said Klaus Degler, Kickers Adult Athletic Director.

"The Kickers hope the match will help in building the sport of soccer in the Denver-Metro Area and continue to build our relationship with the Colorado Rapids. The Kickers were a key figure in the early stages of soccer in Colorado, and we look forward to helping build the future of the sport with the Colorado Rapids."

The Kickers Clubhouse is located at 16776 West 50th Avenue in Golden. For more information on the Denver Kickers, visit www.denverkickers.com.

About the Denver Kickers
The Denver Kickers Club was officially founded in 1962 and since then the club has won Five National Amateur Championships, Thirty-Four Colorado State Championships, and Two National U23 National Championships. The Denver Kickers Club has grown to over 400 members and their complex includes a European-size championship soccer field. The Club Keeps the European heritage alive with soccer and the Adult and Junior Schuhplattlers - Bavarian Dance Groups. The Club hosts several annual events including a Bavarian Style Oktoberfest and annual Labor Day Soccer Tournament.

Rapids Developmental Squad to Take on Denver Kickers Sunday

Rapids Reserves Down Regis 4-0

Led by a brace from Facundo Diz, the Rapids Reserves cruised to a 4-0 victory over Regis University Tuesday afternoon at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

The home side scored goals in the 32nd and 35th minutes, to jump out to a commanding lead when guest play Luke Williams finished a one-on-one opportunity followed by Ross Schunk’s tap-in following a Pat Noonan blast.

Diz added a pair of goals in the second half in the 56th and 85th minutes respectively netting his first-ever scores in a Rapids kit.

Rapids Reserves Starting Line-up
Preston Burpo, Rob Valentino, Ty Harden, Mike Holody, Ross Smith*, Greg Dalby, Pat Noonan, Eric Denton*, Luke Williams*, Facundo Diz, Ross Schunk

(* guest players)

Rapids Reserves Down Regis 4-0

Gary Smith Talks About Moor-Ihemelu Trade

Rapids Head Coach Gary Smith spoke to MLSNet.com's Owen Perkins with his thoughts on the club's trade that sent Ugo Ihemelu to Dallas in exchange for Drew Moor and a SuperDraft pick and allocation money.

Some excerpts of Smith's comments below:

"In Drew Moor we're getting an experienced defender in a slightly different mold to Ugo," Rapids Head Coach Gary Smith said Monday.

"In Ugo you've got a pristine athlete with lots of pace, and a terrific kid at that as well. But I think with Drew you've got maybe a little bit more of a cultured defender. A little bit more capable on the ball. And hopefully as versatile at right back and at center back.

"Throw into the equation the fact that we're getting a considerable amount of allocation money and a pick, and what it gives us are some other assets as well that we can use within the market before the window closes on [Sept.] 15th to possibly strengthen a group that has suffered quite badly during the game on the weekend.

"After the Chicago game we all looked at what happened and we were a bit disappointed with not just [Ugo's] display but with a couple of others as well. The performance there for me was very, very disappointing. That's not to say that the move that was made with Ugo was solely based on that, but it did play a part in it, and I do also think that given the deal was such a good one for us, we can now flex our muscles a little bit and get somebody else in.

"Ugo's somebody that Dallas has been keen on for some time. They've expressed their feelings on the player on a number of occasions. I have to be honest, there was a long period of time that I had no intention of sending Ugo to a Western rival. But circumstances for us have changed over the last two or three weeks. He is and was an asset for us, and we've been able to replace him with what I feel is a very talented and potentially gifted defender in Drew Moor. We have to strengthen and we have to keep moving forward, and if we don't we're probably going to suffer.

"We all liked Ugo a [heck] of a lot," Smith added. "He's an absolutely terrific professional, but it's business. I think in Drew we bring someone in who's going to give us a bit more stability. Coupled with the tradeable assets that we've got, I think it's a really good deal for us.

"Drew Moor is experienced enough in this league to come in and pick up what we're after pretty quickly. He's more than capable of achieving what we're asking. He's athletically, physically in a good position to achieve that. He'll be here middle part of the week, and hopefully he into his new surroundings quickly. I would think he'll be needed straight away."

Read this entire article online on MLSNet.com by clicking here.

Gary Smith Talks About Moor-Ihemelu Trade

Pioneers Top Stanford in Exhibition at DSG Park

In case you missed it, the Rapids' official training pitch played host to a collegiate exhibition match on Saturday, as the DU Men faced off against Stanford in the Pioneers' final tune-up before their season.

DU, who are awaiting the grand opening of their own soccer-specific stadium, handed Standford a 3-0 loss.

ColoradoSoccerNow.com covered the match; check out the full game recap on their site by clicking here.

Photo credit: Tom Auclair/ColoradoSoccerNow.com

Pioneers Top Stanford in Exhibition at DSG Park