Denver, CO, April 19, 2004 (CSA) - The Mile High city remained a fortress as the Colorado Rapids improved their home undefeated streak, which extends back to the 2003 season, to 14 games before an audience of 13,417 fans. In tying Western conference opponent L.A. Galaxy Saturday night, Colorado also postponed their rival’s hopes of finally winning on the road, after a seemingly jinxed L.A. went winless away from home the entire 2003 season.

Despite following their season opener with another 1-1 ending, the Rapids were much improved from the team that faced Dallas two weeks ago, although there was only one lineup change, a surprise start for right midfielder Matt Crawford, in for the suspended Chris Henderson. Looking to be the aggressor, Colorado dominated the first half of play, tallying 13 shots to the Galaxy’s 3.

Excellent service from Rapids right back Antonio “Toño” de la Torre and midfielder Darryl Powell combined with forward Jean-Philippe “Pedro” Peguero’s speed and Spencer’s uncanny ability to control difficult passes as the Rapids rang the Galaxy’s crossbar several times.

Colorado dominated the first fifteen minutes of play, repeatedly releasing Crawford up the right side, with de la Torre providing overlapping runs and Peguero bursting through the middle. L.A.’s defense absorbed several shots by the Rapids before breaking down in the 9th minute to give up the first goal.

Toño sent a masterfully-placed longball forward to Peguero, who was desperately tackled by L.A.’s Danny Califf, earning him a 7th minute yellow card in stopping Pedro’s breakaway. The ensuing free kick by Mark Chung generated a corner kick which was taken by de la Torre. He delivered a hard, accurate cross through the center of the box where Peguero beat his defender to slam it home with a blistering header from 8 yards out, earning his first goal in Major League Soccer in just his second start for the Rapids. Toño also earned his first point in MLS play for the assist as Colorado opened scoring for the night.

A gametime decision found defender Pablo Mastroeni sidelined again and unable to help in the Rapids home opener, giving way for rookie Gary Sullivan to make his second consecutive start in the backfield for the Rapids.

Despite moments of excellent coverage against L.A.’s famed forwards Carlos Ruiz and Jovan Kirovski, Sullivan and fellow defender Nat Borchers struggled to contain the duo as they maneuvered seemingly at will past the Rapids defense through the middle of the first half of play.

It wasn’t until the 19th minute that the Rapids backline finally found themselves truly tested by the onrushing Galaxy trio of Andreas Herzog, Kirovski and Ruiz. Disorganized, Colorado left Ruiz unmarked at the top of the penalty spot as Kirovski rushed the end line on the right before sliding between defenders Sullivan and Ritchie Kotschau and sending a cross back through to Ruiz, who calmly posted the ball into the open left corner of the net, drawing L.A. even with the Rapids at 1-1.

Taking advantage of Colorado’s continued confusion, Kirovski sent several crosses in to the center from runs on both the left and right wings, although L.A. could not get any further shots on goal, and the Rapids responded in kind with more runs up the center right side.

In the 25th minute, Borchers sent an accurate pass through traffic to release Powell, who pushed through the middle to just outside the Galaxy’s 18-yard box before being challenged and ripping a shot wide right of L.A. goalie Kevin Hartman’s net.

In the 31st minute, striker John Spencer controlled the ball near the top of the box before dishing off to Matt Crawford who was rushing up the right side. Crawford easily beat his defender before finally mis-kicking a slow dribbler which was easily scooped up by Hartman.

Another longball from Toño in the 40th minute found Spencer at the top of the box, tapping the ball to a closely-covered Peguero, who managed an excellent head pass to Chung, who blasted a left-footer high and to the right of goal.

Towards the end of the first half the Rapids defense settled down, as defender Borchers took on the assignment of covering Ruiz, showing his veteran skills with an excellent tackle and clearance from the penalty area on the Galaxy forward in the 42nd minute.

An audacious 43rd-minute free kick by de la Torre from 40 yards out beat the outstretched hands of Galaxy keeper Hartman, but unfortunately crashed against the crossbar before bouncing harmlessly away. For his excellent runs and service through the game, de la Torre took away Man of the Match honors for Colorado.

Toño’s cheeky chip shot brought Rapids fans roaring to their feet as he exchanged glances with head coach Tim Hankinson. The Rapids kept fans standing through the end of the half as midfielder Darryl Powell sent a clean pass through to Peguero. Pedro headed the ball to an energetic Spencer, who sent a riveting bicycle kick rising towards the top of the net from nine yards out. A surprised Hartman barely managed to tip the fast-moving shot over the crossbar to give the Rapids a final corner and preserve the tie before the half-time whistle.

It looked like Colorado would come out charging again in the second half of play as a clearance from Rapids keeper Joe Cannon found its way to Spencer, who managed a hard shot on goal that was punched away by L.A.’s Hartman. However, the Galaxy showed their staying power with a half dozen quality shots.

To address a beleaguered Rapids defense, Hankinson shuffled onfield positions in the 56th minute, making a three-way substitution with attacking midfielder Zach Kingsley coming in for defender Sullivan. Crawford crossed the field to back left, leftside defender Ritchie Kotschau moved to a center back position, and Kingsley took up the vacated right midfield to begin ranging forward on the attack.

The Galaxy continued to have opportunities, though none proved dangerous to Cannon until a blast by Kirovski in the 83rd minute forced the keeper into a flying save, his outstretched fingers barely sliding the ball over the crossbar to safety.

Striker Zizi Roberts made an appearance in the 86th minute as a straight swap for Peguero. He was quickly in the mix as Colorado increased forward pressure during the final minutes of the game in an attempt to find three points at home. In the third minute of added time, Roberts held off two defenders before crossing the ball into a waiting Spencer, whose shot was deflected high and right of the Galaxy goal.

L.A. weathered the continued blitz attack by the Rapids in the four minutes of stoppage time, including a couple of corners and two more shots. But the Rapids came away with no love as Beckerman’s last-second shot soared high above the field and over the goal as time ran out.


Notes:

Pedro’s final touch continued to leave something to be desired, although his heading was aggressive and accurate.

Cannon continued to struggle to clear the ball, with at least five shots going out of bounds or falling inside the Rapids half to a Galaxy midfielder.

Chung has yet to find his touch, with a myriad of poor passes, through balls and shots.