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Rapids rarely tally as all stars
Although there have been many wide open games in the previous 15 MLS All-Star gatherings, Colorado Rapids players have rarely stolen the spotlight.
With Omar Cummings picked at the lone representative for this year’s showdown against Manchester United at the New York Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J., on Wednesday (6:30 p.m., live of ESPN2, Galavision and TSN), The Thursday List takes a look at the experience of Rapids players at past All-Star games.
(* did not play in the game; # additional selection per CBA; did not participate)
2010: MLS All-Stars 2, Manchester United 5 (Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas)
M - Jeff Larentowicz (46)
F - Conor Casey#
2009: MLS 1, Everton FC 1; Everton W 4-3 on penalties (Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, Utah)
F - Conor Casey (90, converted penalty kick)
2008: MLS 3, West Ham United FC 2 (BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
F - Christian Gomez (58, one goal)
M - Pablo Mastroeni (90)
2007: MLS 2, Celtic FC 0 (Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, CO)
M - Pablo Mastroeni (30)
2006: MLS 1, Chelsea FC 0 (Toyota Park, Bridgeview, IL)
GK - Joe Cannon (45)
M - Pablo Mastroeni*
2005: MLS 4, Fulham FC 1 (Crew Stadium, Columbus, OH)
GK - Joe Cannon#
F - Jeff Cunningham (22, two goals)
M - Pablo Mastroeni#
D - Mike Petke#
2004: East 3, West 2 (RFK Stadium, Washington DC)
M - Pablo Mastroeni*
2003: MLS 3, CD Guadalajara 1 (Home Depot Center, Carson, CA)
M - Mark Chung#
M - Pablo Mastroeni#
F - John Spencer#
2002: MLS 3, U.S. National Team 2 (RFK Stadium, Washington DC)
M - Mark Chung (70, MLS)
M - Chris Henderson (45, USA)
M - Pablo Mastroeni (90, USA)
M - Carlos ‘El Pibe’ Valderrama (70, MLS)
2001: East 6, West 6 (Spartan Stadium, San Jose, CA)
D - Marcelo Balboa (45)
F - John Spencer (45)
2000: East 9, West 4 (Crew Stadium, Columbus, OH)
D - Marcelo Balboa (90)
M - Anders Limpar*
1999: West 6, East 4 (Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California)
D - Marcelo Balboa (66)
F - Paul Bravo (45)
M - Ross Paule (45)
Glenn ‘Mooch’ Myernick (coach)
1998: MLS USA 6, MLS World 1 (Citrus Bowl, Orlando, Fla.)
D - Marcelo Balboa (45, USA)
F - Paul Bravo (45, USA)
M - Ross Paule (45, USA)
M - Adrian Paz (60, World)
1997: East 5, West 4 (Giants Stadium, E Rutherford, NJ)
D - Marcelo Balboa (45)
M - Chris Henderson (90)
1996: East 3, West 2 (Giants Stadium, E Rutherford, NJ)
D - Marcelo Balboa*
So, that’s four goals from Rapids representatives over 15 matches. This is not surprising when you consider how many of the Rapids that made the match where defenders or defensive-minded midfielders.
Midfielder Pablo Mastroeni has played in seven All-Star matches, defender Marcelo Balboa made six, and Rapids forwards have only made six appearances on the field in 15 years.
Perhaps Cummings, in his first appearance, can add another Rapid to the list of offensive threats in the Wednesday showdown with ManU. After his three assists in Colorado’s 4-1 home win over All-Star Game coach Hans Backe’s Red Bulls, anything seems possible.
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