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An Independence Day treat
For the 16th time in 17 years, the Colorado Rapids host a July 4 match, with the Vancouver Whitecaps providing the foil this season.
As the holiday approaches, The Tuesday List takes a look at how the Rapids have performed on the holiday through the years. And, although the game was a day early in 2011, last season’s closest match is included for this comparison.
1996: 2-1 win over the MetroStars. In an inaugural campaign where little went right, the Rapids won on an own goal in the 68th minute and a strike from defender Steve Trittschuh in the 83rd minute (which should win any Rapids trivia contest).
1997: 3-1 win over San Jose. The Rapids again let the visitors score first and then romped home with a Peter Vermes strike and a brace from Paul Bravo.
1998: 1-0 win over the MetroStars. Marquis White got the lone tally in Colorado’s win.
1999: 3-0 loss to Columbus. It’s just as well that the century was ending.
2000: 2-1 win over the Chicago Fire. Marcelo Balboa provided the game winner in the eighth minute of stoppage time in front of 53,126 fans.
2001: 3-1 win over D.C. United. A John Spencer hat trick wiped out a Jaime Moreno opener in front of 60,500 fans.
2002: 3-2 win over the Chicago Fire. This time Chris Carrieri provided the hat trick as the Rapids let the visitors take a 2-1 lead before roaring back.
2003: 3-2 win over Kansas City. Mark Chung’s stoppage time goal gave Colorado the win moments after KC tied the match at 2.
2004: 1-0 win over New England. Alberto Delgado got the lone goal.
2005: 2-1 win over Kansas City. Terry Cooke got the winner as Colorado came from behind.
2006: 3-2 win over New England. A late Taylor Twellman goal made it close.
2007: 0-0 tie with Columbus. The only fireworks came after the game during the first season at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
2008: 4-0 win over New York. The Red Bulls sent a team, but forgot to show up. The July 4th romp.
2009: 2-1 loss to the Chicago Fire. After getting nipped on two previous Fourths, the Fire went up early and held on to win.
2010: 1-1 tie with New York. An exchange of first-half strikes between Omar Cummings and Juan Pablo Angel left a bittersweet draw on the night.
2011: 0-0 tie with Houston. The scoreline reflects the fizzle of this, the sole July 3rd game on the list.
Overall, the Rapids are an outstanding 11-2-3 on the holiday, but only a mediocre 1-1-2 since moving to Commerce City. Six times Colorado has trailed in the game before coming back to win. In 16 matches there have been only two scoreless draws. Two of the team’s seven hat tricks all time have come on the Fourth.
So, grab a seat for Wednesday and get ready for fireworks.
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