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Rapids hope to continue fast start vs. 'Quakes

Fri 18th, April 2008

Commerce City, CO (Sports Network) - The Colorado Rapids have grabbed an early lead in Major League Soccer's Western Conference and it's pretty easy to point out two major reasons why.

The Rapids, the only team in the West with two wins, have used the same lineup in their first three games and their seven goals have been scored by different players.

After an impressive season-opening win over Los Angeles, 4-0, Colorado lost at Kansas City, 3-2, before winning its last game at New England, 1-0.

The Rapids (2-1-0) have a great chance to extend their one-point lead over FC Dallas on Saturday when San Jose (0-2-0) visits Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

San Jose, which is back in the league after a two-year absence, is one of only two winless teams left in the league. Houston, which is the original San Jose franchise, has two ties and a loss through three games.

"Obviously the point of soccer is winning, but I am very pleased and proud of the way the guys played (in a 1-0 loss to Chicago last week)," San Jose coach Frank Yallop said.

San Jose will have a tough time if the Rapids continue to play as well as they have so far this season.

Midfielder Nick LaBrocca was the offensive hero against New England, scoring the winning goal in the 68th minute off an assist from Jose Burciaga Jr. Coach Fernando Clavijo felt the team deserved all three points.

"If you lose playing like that you have to keep your head up - but if you play like that you won't lose too many," Clavijo said. "I am extremely proud, but there are still 27 games left to go ... we've just started."

Midfielders Colin Clark, Terry Cooke, John DiRaimondo and Christian Gomez have also scored this season. Forward Omar Cummings and defender Burciaga Jr. have the other goals for Colorado.

Colorado is the most balanced team in MLS in scoring - Chivas USA has goals from six different players - and has been solid on defense as well.

Only Chicago (six goals scored and one allowed) has a better goal differential this season and Colorado has done it without Pablo Mastroeni, a member of the United States national team.

Mastroeni, who has played just 35 minutes off the bench, is probable this week with a quadriceps injury. Gomez is also probable with a quadriceps injury.

Goalie Bouna Coundoul also deserves a lot of credit for the good start. He has two shutouts, including a nine-save performance against New England.

"Bouna has been great for us this year and all last year," LaBrocca said. "We rely on him. It's nice to have him back there."

San Jose, which has been unlucky in its first two games, will take any breaks it can get. The Earthquakes had an early goal waved off in a 2-0 loss to L.A., and hit the frame twice in the closing minutes of last week's loss to Chicago.

"If we weren't playing well, then the pressure comes," San Jose forward Gavin Glinton said. "But (last week), I thought we played really well. It's just a matter of one of those going in, and then the clouds will lift and then (the goals) will start to fall."

Where the players come to play and STAY.