Article Contributed on: 3/30/2008 8:52:47 PM
A sell-out crowd of more than 18,000 flocked to Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City on Saturday for the season opener, and they were not disapointed.
The home team Rapids rocked the visiting Los Angeles Galaxy 4-0.
COMMERCE CITY, CO. (Saturday, March 29, 2008) - The Colorado Rapids opened the season in style beating the Los Angeles Galaxy 4-0 in front of a Dick's Sporting Goods Park record crowd of 18,713. The previous high crowd at Dick's Sporting Goods Park was 18,661 for the 2007 MLS All-Star Game.
Terry Cooke put the Rapids in front in the 10th minute, marking the second year in a row that the Rapids have scored the opening goal of the season at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. The Englishman ripped a ball past Steve Cronin after Christian Gomez hit the post with his shot from 20 yards out.
Christian Gomez also nearly put the Rapids up 2-0 when he fired a 25-yard blast that Cronin barely reached to tip over the bar.
Bouna Coundoul was forced into action in stoppage time of the first half when Landon Donovan dribbled into the Rapids penalty area on a counter attack. The Senegalese International slid out and blocked the ball out for a corner kick.
In the 60th minute, Gomez opened his Colorado Rapids scoring account as he nicely tucked away a penalty kick.
Omar Cummings scored the third goal of his career to put the Rapids up 3-0 in the 67th minute. Cooke played a perfect ball as the Jamaican held up his run to stay onside. The speedster than took a touch around Cronin and put the ball in the back of the net.
Colin Clark became the fourth player to score for the Rapids tonight when he took a pass from Cooke, dribbled around Abel Xavier, and outpaced another defender, before finishing near post for his first MLS goal with his left foot.
The four goals by Cooke, Gomez, Cummings and Clark marked the first time the Rapids have scored four goals in one game since they beat the Chicago Fire 4-1 on July 23, 2005. The four goal margin of victory is the largest in the team's 13 year history.
Herculez Gomez attempted to put a fifth goal past Cronin in the 84th minute, but his shot was saved off the line by a sliding Xavier.
The Rapids hit the road for the first time this year as they travel to Kansas City to take on the Wizards next Saturday, April 5. The game will kick off at 6 p.m. MT.
Colorado Rapids Man of the Match: Terry Cooke
Scoring Summary:
COL - Cooke (Unassisted) 10
COL - C. Gomez (Penalty Kick) 60
COL - Cummings (Cooke) 67
COL - Clark (Cooke) 80