Salsa Starts Season by Losing to Colorado

The Salsa opened this American Professional Soccer League season the way it ended the last one--with a loss to the Colorado Foxes.

Colorado’s Jeff Hooker scored two minutes into overtime Friday to give the Foxes a 2-1 victory over the Salsa at Denver’s Mile High Stadium. Colorado won the 1993 APSL title with a 3-1 victory over the Salsa at Titan Stadium.

The Salsa scored first when Jose Vasquez kicked in a rebound of a shot by Arturo Velazco that hit the crossbar in the 14th minute. Eleven minutes later, Colorado goalkeeper Jim St. Andre made a save on a penalty kick by the Salsa’s Paulinho, the ’92 APSL most valuable player.

Colorado’s Anthony McGreath scored just before halftime to tie the score.

The winning goal was set up by Chad Ashton’s free kick. Hooker controlled the rebound and scored.

It was the first game as coach for Rick Davis, who also is the team’s general manager.

“Despite the result, it was a good start to our 1994 season,” Davis said. “I’m happy about our overall performance, but we still have a lot of work to do.”

The Salsa and the Foxes play at Mile High Stadium again next Friday.