Four Things You Should Know About The Rapids

By Hercules Gómez
(As Told to José del Valle)

1. "The Colorado Rapids is like a family. Fútbol is a team sport and the group is the most important. In this team, everyone understands that."

2. "Girls don't ask for autographs because we are ugly, just kidding. Pablo Mastroeni is always chased by women. We are kind of jealous."

3. "Ugo Ihemelu acts gangster. He wants to be portrayed as the tough guy, but we all know he's extremely cool and sensitive."

4. "Chicken and rice are always part of the menu. Fútbol players must eat healthy; we follow a strict diet and it's has gotten to the point where I dream rice and chicken."

Where Would You Like To Go?

Where is your favorite place to go on vacations? That's what I asked the last sports figures I interviewed. Here's what they said.

Kevin Hernández
Fútbol Player
Honduran
"Cancún, México. People tell me the beaches over there are beautiful. I can't wait to see it myself."

Milka Duno
IndyCar Driver
Venezuelan
"Even dough I'm Venezuelan, I've never been in Maracaibo. I must go there in the near future."

Nicolas Lapentti
Tennis Player
Ecuadorian
"I want to go to Africa. The 2010 World Cup will be hosted by South Africa, my goal is to be there."

United Drives To Collect Toys During April

D.C. United announced plans to collect toys throughout of the month of April to benefit the Children’s National Medical Center and The Children’s Center. Each month during the 2008 Major League Soccer season, D.C. United will collect items at every home game to benefit pre-determined non-profit organizations within the Washington, D.C. area.

“With the help of our great supporters, United Drives continues to allow us to assist those in need through a variety of ways,” said United Director of Community Relations Aprile Pritchet. “We look forward to working with Children’s National Medical Center and The Children’s Center on this project.”

Fans who donate an item will receive a "Buy One, Get One Free" ticket voucher, redeemable for that day’s match or any other 2008 regular season home game, excluding the L.A. Galaxy game on June 29.

This season marks the seventh year of the United Drives campaign, which collects much-needed items to help with each beneficiary’s mission. Score a big goal to help people in need!

Seattle Fans' Voice Was Heard

In my recent entry, Democracy Is Coming To Fútbol, I stated how Seatle put up a Web site where people could vote to choose the new MLS franchise name. The options were:

• Seattle FC
• Seattle Republic
• Seattle Alliance

But it's important to emphasize that "Seattle Sounders," (name of the team which represented Seattle in the North American Soccer League) was not included among the possibilities to choose from because the owner, Joe Roth, and his committee wanted to move forward.

However, approximately 14,500 people voted and more than 51 percent of the participants suggested a name related with the Seattle Sounders. The Seattle officials didn't want to disappoint the fans so they decided to name the team as Seattle Sounders FC. The fans' voice was heard, like a true democracy.