In the final meeting of the season for the two Colorado teams, Lisa Kosena-Forbes turned a Rebekah Patrick pass into the game’s only goal in the 47th minute.

In goal, Kristin Salminen registered three saves as she picked up the shutout. Megan McCain had one save in taking the loss for the Rush.

With the victory at Loveland Sports Park, the Colorado Force moved to 3-7-1 (10 points), while the Rush dropped to 6-5-3 (21 points).

Next Up: Now the Force goes on a swing through the Pacific Northwest. They face Victoria on Wednesday night in British Columbia, followed by Vancouver on Friday, before wrapping up with Seattle on Sunday.

Lindsey Horan delivered the lone goal of the evening in the 56th minute at Trail Winds Park in Thornton, Colo. Horan threatened several times during the night before her shot from inside the box found the upper left corner, giving her four goals in four games this season.

Horan had nearly given the 204 fans in attendance a lead in the first half when her hard strike brought a full-stretch save in the 45th minute.

The goal came after a long-run of attacking play for the Rush, and it seemed to snap Seattle back to life. The Sounders started to find the game, and delivered several dangerous chances, particularly off corner kicks. In the 71st minute, the Sounders nearly pulled even when a shot from Jane Mitchell pinged off the near post.

The back and forth nature of the evening continued as the Rush sought a second goal before seeking to kill the game in the closing 10 minutes.

With the victory, the Rush improved to 5-3-0, 15 points, in the Western Conference. Seattle fell to 2-5-1, 7 points.

Next, the Rush — who have played home matches in Commerce City and Thornton this season — return to the team’s normal home, Valor Christian High School in Highlands Ranch, for a 1:30 p.m. Sunday match against the Vancouver Whitecaps. Vancouver defeated the Rush 3-0 earlier this season and beat the Colorado Force 2-0 on Friday.

Seattle travels a short drive up I-25 to Loveland to face the Colorado Force at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

Defender Elizabeth Eddy and midfielder Mariah Nogueira gave the Blues a two-goal first half cushion. While Colorado staged a comeback in the second half, generating four corners and two shots on goal during the second 45 minutes, the Rush was unable to close on the Blues.

Peterson, who came off the bench for 19 minutes, delivered Colorado’s lone goal from her midfield slot.

The Rush (4-3-0, 12 points) played this home game on field No. 24 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City. The Pali Blues improved to 4-0-3, 15 points, and remain in third in the W-League’s Western Conference, one spot in front of the Rush.

The Rush returns to action at 7 p.m. on Friday as Colorado faces the Seattle Sounders (2-4-1, 7 points) on the Field Turf at Trail Winds Park, 136th Avenue and Holly Street in Thornton, Colo.

Losing Streak: Saturday’s loss came after a woeful outing for the Rush on Thursday against the visiting Santa Clarita Blue Heat (6-0-1, 19 points).

Ann Marie Tangorra scored in the 9th minute, Edite Fernandez, assisted by Tangorra, scored in the 18th minute, and Alba Mendez, assisted by Fernandez, scored in the 39th minute, as the Blue Heat blew by the Force 3-0.

The Rush would push ‘keeper Cynthia Jacobo to five saves, four in the second half, but was unable to break into the scoring column.

In the season opener at Valor Christian High School, the Rush dominated. The home side outshot LA 12-4, and forced LA ‘keeper Erin Frushon to make seven saves. For Colorado, Krissy Tribbett was called on to make three saves over 90 minutes.

Along with forward Horan’s two goals, midfielders Gabrielle Miranda and Hannah Peterson also scored for the Rush. LA’s Samantha Johnson salvaged a lone goal for the visitors.

The win allows the Rush (1-0) to open the season in third place in the eight-team W-League Western Conference. Los Angeles (2-2), which has played two more games than any team in the conference, owns first place with four points from four games.

The next week will be critical as the Rush swings west to play three games in four days. Colorado faces Victoria on Wednesday, Vancouver on Friday and Seattle on Sunday, May 29.

Colorado returns home for a 7:30 p.m. meeting with the Victoria Highlanders on Friday, June 3.

On Saturday, Sept. 18, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park will host the Force’s match vs. the expansion Colorado Rush, kicking off at 4 p.m. The game will precede the match between the Rapids and New England Revolution, which will kick off at 7 p.m.

“The Women’s Soccer Celebration has continued to be a highlight of our home schedule since we opened Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in 2007,” said Rapids Managing Director Jeff Plush. “Through our relationship with the Force, we have the opportunity to present fans the best the game has to offer at both the men’s and women’s professional levels in Colorado.”

The women’s soccer celebration was designed to raise awareness of women’s sports and role models, to promote healthy lifestyles, and unite Colorado soccer fans.

Between the games, members of the Force and Rush will conduct an interactive soccer clinic and Camp Bow Wow’s Bow Wow Buddies Foundation will present “Air Bud” the wildly popular star of the movies, for an autograph session, both for young players under 18. 

Amy Snider, co-founder of the Force, calls the event an opportunity to bring the state’s soccer fans together.

“The Rapids continue to provide great leadership for Colorado Soccer by highlighting the women’s game at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. It will be great to showcase the talent of Colorado’s two top women’s teams at this year’s Women’s Soccer Celebration,” Snider said. “The event will be especially fun for kids as they get to meet the players after the game, meet dog soccer superstar Air Bud, and support the efforts of Camp Bow Wow’s Bow Wow Buddies Foundation in the fight against Canine Cancer.”

 CBW Founder Heidi Ganahl said: “At CBWs Bow Wow Buddies Foundation, we are committed to helping the CSU Animal Cancer Center cure canine cancer.  We are so excited to partner with the Force to raise awareness among children and soccer fans, and show them how they can be a part of the canine cancer cure!”

Tickets for the 2010 Women’s Soccer Celebration start at $16. One ticket will get fans into both matches that night. Tickets are available for purchase at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Park Box Office, via phone by calling TicketHorse at 1-866-461-6556, at the kiosks at any Colorado Dick’s Sporting Goods location, or online at www.ColoradoRapids.com or www.forcesoccer.org.  

Fans interested participating in the clinic and autograph session may purchase tickets to that for an additional $25 from www.forcesoccer.org.

The Colorado Rush fell behind early and rallied on two second-half goals to earn a point on the road. The Colorado Force took a 1-0 lead into halftime before surrending two second-half goals and falling on the road.

Battling Back: With 1,682 looking on in Vancouver, B.C., the hometown Whitecaps took a 2-0 first half lead on goals from Melissa Tancredi in the 12th minute and Jodi-Ann Robinson in the 30th.

The Rush roared back in the second half as Shu-o Tseng scored a brace, finding goals in the 48th and 51st minutes. Neither side was able to find a third goal as the two teams settled for the 2-2 draw.

With the tie, the Rush remain undefeated at 2-0-4 (10 points), good for second place in the Western Conference. Vancouver tops the conference at 5-0-3 (18 points).

Road Woes: Meanwhile, the Force fell to the host Santa Clarita Blue Heat 2-1.

The loss dropped Colorado’s record to 1-3-4, leaving the side with seven points in the Western Conference. For Santa Clarita, 1-4-1, it was a historic first-ever victory in its inaugural W-League season. Santa Clarita also found revenge for its 2-0 loss to Colorado the previous Saturday at Loveland Sports Park.

Colorado scored late in the first half when midfielder Erin Walter struck from just outside the penalty area, sending a shot into the top right hand corner of the goal. It was Walter’s second goal in two games after she scored Thursday night against the Pali Blues.

Next Up: The Force and the Rush return to the Front Range for back-to-back games. The Force and Rush meet at 7 p.m. Thursday night at Englewood High School, then finish the regular season at 7 p.m. on July 12 at Loveland Sports Park.

On Saturday, the Colorado Rush managed a 2-2 tie with the Blues, one of only four ties the team has seen in that span.

Goals from forward Danielle Foxhoven and midfielder Melissa Peck for the Force were equalled by strikes from Pali’s Alexandra Hawkins and Danielle Toney on the soggy afternoon.

With the result, Colorado Rush moved to 0-0-3 (3 points) in its inaugural season. Pali slipped to 2-0-1 (7 points) and continues to lead the Western Conference.

The Force faces Santa Clarita at 7 p.m. on June 24 at Englewood High School.

The Rush earned its second tie in the second game of its inaugural season on Tuesday night. Abdullah’s goal came off an assist from Danielle Foxhoven. Vancouver’s Jodi-Ann Robinson had the team’s only goal as the Whitecaps outshot the Rush 7-4.

With the tie, the Rush moved to 0-0-2 (2 points) and Vancouver sits at 1-0-2 (5 points).

Next: The Rush faces the highflying Pali Blues on Saturday afternoon at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, field No. 24. The 3:30 p.m. game comes as the live addition to opening round World Cup action.

While the MLS will take a two-week breather, the W-League teams will continue to take the field.

On a night where thunderstorms were the biggest threat, neither side could find the back of the net. This draw came a week after Vancouver managed to squeak by 2-1 with an 89th minute goal.

On Sunday, Vancouver got the better of play, unleashing eight shots to the Force’s two. However, ‘keeper Lauren Robertson managed four saves and kept a clean sheet for the Force. Robertson is the first Force ‘keeper to start two games this season. She was in goal on Friday night for a 2-2 tie with the Seattle Sounders.

With the draw, the Force stands  0-1-3 (3 points), while Vancouver moved to 1-0-1 (4 points).

First Game: Earlier on Sunday, the Colorado Rush made its first bow at Englewood High School stadium. Facing the Seattle Sounders for the team’s inaugural game, the Rush managed a 0-0 draw.

The crowd of 350 for the first game of the new Rush W-League franchise didn’t get to celebrate any goals, but did get a solid defensive clinic from the two sides.

Goalkeepers Katie Hultin for Seattle and the Rush’s Krissy Tribbett were as hot as the sunny day. Hultin earned five saves on the afternoon and Tribbett had four.

The Rush begins 0-0-1 (1 point). Seattle remains undefeated and winless on the season, moving to 0-0-3 (3 points).

Next: The Rush will face Vancouver on Tuesday night at Englewood High School.

Between 7 p.m. Friday and about 9 p.m. Sunday, a soccer fan can catch two Colorado Force W-League matches, a Colorado Rapids home game and the inaugural match of the Colorado Rush W-League team.

And if four games in a little more than two days isn’t enough, the Rush plays again on Tuesday night. As a fan, a weekend of top-flight play in two different leagues with no more than some time in the car going from field to field is a treat of the first order.

First: The Fort Collins-based Force kicks off the action at 7 p.m. Friday in the Loveland Sports Park against Seattle Sounders. The two teams tied in Washington this past Friday. It was the first game of the season for the Force, and the return will mark the team’s first home game.

Following: Next, the Rapids take on the Eastern Conference-leading Columbus Crew at 7 p.m. Saturday at Dick’s Sporting

Rapids Conor Casey (left) and Sounders Jeff Parks (right) and Steve Zakuani threaten to take control of the ball during the game at Dick's Sporting Goods Park May 29, 2010. Conor scores the only goal and the Rapids come out on top 1-0. (Photograph by Jessica Taves/ColoradoSoccerNow.com)

Goods Park. The Crew is 6-1-2 after suffering its first loss of the season to Los Angeles. The Rapids are coming off a 1-0 win over Seattle Sounders FC, which could be a good omen against Columbus.

The Rapids last defeated Columbus on April 8, 2006, a 3-1 win at Invesco Field at Mile High. The Crew have won four of the seven meetings since – including the last two at DSG Park – with three draws.

Doubleheader: On Sunday, the scheduling gets a little more interesting. The Rush kick off against Seattle at 2 p.m. at Englewood High School Stadium. This will be a game of firsts, as it will be the first game and the first home game of the team’s inaugural season.

Then, the Force tangles with the Vancouver Whitecaps at 7 p.m. in Loveland. The Whitecaps got an 89th minute goal this past Sunday to beat Colorado 2-1. The Force starts its first home stand 0-1-1, which, as we know from Tom “Gunny” Highway in “Heartbreak Ridge,” is a record that can easily look better after a win. Too bad Grenada isn’t on this schedule.

Four-Course Meal: I’ve been looking forward to this weekend for months. It’s an embarrassment of riches to have this many games in such a short span of time. It’s like the perfect appetizer to the June 11 start of the World Cup. With those games, I can sit in my living room and yell at the TV all I want.

With this coming weekend of games, I get to go outside, sit in the stands, and yell. I can’t wait.

Coda: Then, just to keep the spirit of this weekend going, Rush plays the Whitecaps at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Englewood high. Is too much of a good thing possible?