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DENVER (Colorado Rapids Media Relations)- The Colorado Rapids have announced the date for the club?s 2007 Open Tryouts, which will be held on Saturday, February 10, from 11:30am-3:30pm outdoors at the team?s training facility in Westminster, Colorado.

The Rapids invite any interested players from Colorado and around the world for the opportunity to be scouted by the Rapids to potentially join the team for the third season in a row. Any players selected from this tryout will immediately gear up to travel with the Rapids to one of their preseason trips during the month of February.

Colorado native Stephen Keel was one of the success stories from the Rapids Open Tryouts as he was spotted and subsequently signed from the 2005 Open Tryouts and helped the Rapids Reserve squad win the MLS Reserve Division Championship this past season.

The Colorado Rapids Tryouts are open to aspiring male players between the ages of 18 and 30 years of age. The $50 registration fee includes a t-shirt and two tickets for the Rapids? 2007 home opener at Dick?s Sporting Goods Park.

The deadline to register is Friday, February 2. Participants are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible because there are only 150 available spots and the tryouts have sold out the last 2 years in a row.

Coaching staff from the Colorado Rapids ?including Head Coach Fernando Clavijo- along with coaching staff from adjacent professional soccer franchises such as the Boulder Rapids Reserve (PDL) and other local soccer clubs will be on hand to scout all participants.

Prospective participants must sign up for the event by filling out both the Tryout Application Form and a Waiver. Applicants can do so online www.coloradorapids.com

Please note that this tryout is for individuals who have completed their college eligibility. Since this tryout takes place during the NCAA calendar, any underclassmen participating in this event could jeopardize their college eligibility per NCAA rules. Therefore, the Colorado Rapids will not accept college underclassmen for this event under any circumstances.

On the day of the tryouts, players will have to have previously mailed in their Tryout Application Form or filled out the online version of the Tryout Application Form. Participants must also bring with them a completed Waiver Form and present a valid photo identification or birth certificate at the tryout itself.

Participants should either fill out their Tryout Application and submit payment online, or else send via mail to:

Colorado Rapids Open Tryouts

Attn: Marisa Colaiano

1000 Chopper Circle

Denver CO 80204

COLORADO RAPIDS 2007 OPEN TRYOUTS DETAILS:

What: The Colorado Rapids 2007 open tryouts give prospective players from around the world their once-a-year chance to be scouted by the Rapids coaches and potentially be acquired by the team.

When: Saturday, Feb. 10, 11:30am-3:30pm (Registration will begin at 10:30 a.m.). In case of cancellation due to severe weather, the tryouts backup day will be the next day, Sunday, Feb. 11.

Where: At the outdoor soccer fields at Westminster City Park (10485 Sheridan Boulevard, Westminster, CO ? intersection of Sheridan and 105th).

Why: To identify local and international talent and give soccer players an opportunity to showcase their skills in a professional environment in hopes of making the squad.

Participants should show up in full outdoor gear, with all required equipment, cleats, a ball, food and water, and be ready to play in any weather condition.

Participants coming into Westminster from out of town may wish to stay at one of these 2 hotels (the closest hotel locations to the Rapids Open Tryouts location):

Westin Hotel Westminster

Marriott Residence Inn Westminster

Have questions about the tryouts? For more information, call the Rapids Open Tryouts Hotline at (720) 931-1980.