July 24, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release
As the MLS All-Star week unfolds, dive into the illustrious history of the Rapids’ All-Star selections while celebrating the players who have represented the club at the highest level.
Defenders Keegan Rosenberry and Moïse Bombito recently became the latest Rapids All-Stars, following in the footsteps of Tim Howard in 2017 and marking the 20th and 21st selections in club history. Their recent selections highlight the Rapids’ ongoing commitment to providing elite talent for the league’s annual showcase.
Among the most frequently recognized are Marcelo Balboa, who earned five consecutive All-Star selections from 1997 to 2001, and Pablo Mastroeni, whose four-time All-Star status spans from 2002 to 2008. This legacy of consistent excellence underscores the Rapids’ enduring presence in Major League Soccer’s elite circles. His contributions included 17 goals and 21 assists, highlighting his dominance as a defender and culminating in his memorable Goal of the Year in 2000 with a stunning bicycle kick. Balboa, a celebrated figure in club history and a member of the Rapids Gallery of Honor, is revered for his achievements. In 2001, he became the first defender in MLS history to record more than 20 goals and 20 assists in his career.
Following Balboa’s early contributions, other Rapids players like Chris Henderson and Paul Bravo continued to build on this legacy, showcasing their talents and leadership on the All-Star stage. Henderson, also in the Rapids Gallery of Honor, provided consistent performance and leadership with selections in 1997 and 2002. Henderson holds several club records, including 53 assists, the most in Rapids history. The midfielder logged 178 appearances and 170 starts across two stints with the club, which are both the third-most in club history. Additionally, his 10 game-winning assists rank second in club history, while his 14,748 minutes as a Rapid are the third-most in club history. Adding to this esteemed group, John Spencer, Mastroeni, Conor Casey, and Drew Moor are also members of the Rapids Gallery of Honor who earned All-Star selections while with the club, highlighting their significant contributions to the club’s history.
1997
MLS East 5 – MLS West 4
Defender Balboa and midfielder Henderson earned their first respective MLS All-Star selections in 1997. Henderson played the full 90 minutes, while Balboa started the match and played the first 45 minutes representing…
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