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DENVER, CO (Colorado Rapids Media Relations)- The Colorado Rapids announced today the team?s 2006 Open Tryouts, which will be held on Sunday, February 4, starting at 10:00am-2:00pm outdoors at the team?s training facility in Westminster, CO (registration will begin at 8:30 a.m.)

Registration for the tryouts begins today and will close at 5:00pm MT on Monday, January 31, 2006.

The Rapids, who signed Colorado natives Josh Elbaum and Stephen Keel to a developmental contracts last year after scouting them in the 2005 Open Tryouts, will once again be scouting players to join the team. Any players selected during this tryout will travel with the Rapids to one of their preseason trips during the month of February.

?We see this as a great opportunity to give something special back to the soccer players in our community, a chance to try out for a professional club, while at the same time potentially finding valuable players for our roster," said General Manager and Rapids COO Charlie Wright.

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? 2006 Home Opener on April 15 vs. FC Dallas at Invesco Field.

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

On the day of the tryouts, players will have to have previously mailed in the 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.

To print out the Tryout Application Form and Waiver Form, or to register online, CLICK HERE.

Forms can also be picked up in person at the Colorado Rapids Front Office, located at the Pepsi Center, 1000 Chopper Blvd. in Denver.

What: Colorado Rapids 2006 Open Tryouts

When: Saturday, Feb. 4, 10am-2pm (Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m.)

Where: Colorado Rapids Training Center in Westminster, CO (10485 Sheridan Boulevard, Westminster, CO ? intersection of Sheridan and 105th).

Why: To identify local and regional talent and give soccer players an opportunity to showcase their skills in a professional environment.

Particpants should show up in full outdoor gear, with all required equipment, 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 Training Center):

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.