The Colorado Rapids were the only Major League Soccer team to take the field in preseason action Monday, Fernando Clavijo's side coming up with a 2-2 draw with Cruz Azul in the last game of their Mexican training camp.
The hosts got on the board first when Mexican national team veteran Jared Borgetti pushed home a rebound nine minutes after kickoff. Yet Colorado was able to level the score in the 35th minute with a spectacular goal. Kyle Beckerman found Jovan Kirovski in space behind the defense and he carried the ball to the end line before crossing into the penalty area. There, Herculez Gomez, acquired from the L.A. Galaxy in the offseason, applied the finishing touch with a diving header to the far post.
After a halftime break following 40 minutes of action, the visitors pulled in front 10 minutes later through Omar Cummings. Trialist Angel 'Rambo' Sosa sent Cummings through on a breakaway and he went around the onrushing goalkeeper to slide the ball home.
But three minutes before the end of regulation, Cruz Azul struck again. Roberto Caceres blasted home a booming shot from long distance that Rapids goalkeeper Matt Jordan couldn't stop. The sides played a 15-minute overtime period, yet no winner emerged and the match ended in a draw. The Rapids will return to Denver on Wednesday.
Elsewhere around the league, many clubs have decamped for more exotic climes. Real Salt Lake have moved their preseason to Spain, where they will train at the facility of their namesake, Real Madrid. RSL will play three or four matches during their 10-day trip and will also be in the famed Estadio Santiago Bernabeau for Real's La Liga contest against Getafe on Saturday.
FC Dallas, meanwhile, are heading south, as the Hoops left for Brazil on Monday. The club will train at partner club Atletico Paranaense's training facility in Curitiba, with the highlight of the stay coming on March 7 when the first leg of the USA-Brazil Challenge will be held. FCD will take on Paranaense's first team at Kyocera Arena at 9 p.m. local time.
The Chicago Fire have moved their preseason camp from the East Coast to the West, setting up shop at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. They will face Chivas USA (March 3), the Los Angeles Galaxy (March 6) and UCLA (March 9) during this leg of their 2007 preparations.
Jonathan Nierman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
