John Wolyniec came off the bench to score a pair of goals as Chicago rallied to beat Colorado 4-3 in the opening game of the 2001 MLS Preseason Tournament at Lockhart Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale March 14. The Fire (1-0) scored three goals in the final 15 minutes to pull out the victory, which spoiled the debut of the Rapids’ (0-1) heralded striker John Spencer, who had two goals in his first match with the Colorado. “I was just trying to make something happen when I got in the game, it feels pretty good to start off the preseason like that,” Wolyniec said. “I hope I can contribute more goals during the season.” The game-winner came off the foot of midfielder Yuri Lavrinenko in the 89th minute. The second-year attacker took a feed from Chris Armas and walked in alone and beat Rapids ‘keeper David Kramer to make it 4-3. Chicago tied the match at 3-3 in the 87th minute, when Wolyniec finished off a wild scramble in the box. Peter Nowak kept the ball alive in the corner of the box and rookie Jim Curtin sent the ball toward the back post where Wolyniec was waiting to put it home. Spencer recorded his second goal as a member of the Rapids in the 85th minute to give Colorado a 3-2 edge, finishing off a nice buildup. Rapids’ defender John Carroll chipped a pass down the right wing for Junior Agogo. The speedy attacker outran the defense toward the end line and crossed for Spencer, who beat Fire ‘keeper Henry Ring from the six yard line. Chicago had evened the score at 2-2 as Wolyniec, a second-half substitute, finished a Chris Armas corner in the 75th minute. Scottish international Spencer had notched his first MLS goal just three minutes into his initial appearance for Colorado. After coming on at halftime, Spencer launched a free kick from 20 yards out that beat Ring just inside the right post. Fire defender Evan Whitfield had fouled Spencer just outside the box, after he received a pass in a dangerous position looking to shoot. Spencer’s goal, assisted by Paul Bravo, gave the Rapids a temporary 2-1 lead. “I am very excited by this start. I literally just got off a plane yesterday and I’m still adjusting to playing in this weather,” Spencer said. “After my second goal went in, I thought ‘this is just what I needed’. Hopefully this carries over for me.” Colorado received a scare in the 65th minute, as starting goalkeeper Adin Brown and defender Chris Martinez collided while stopping a Nowak rush toward goal. The pair came off the field as a precaution with bruised knees. Chicago began the scoring in the 34th minute. Midfielder Dema Kovalenko controlled a loose ball in midfield and sprung Hristo Stoitchkov down the right wing. The Bulgarian international crossed the ball through the top of the box, as Brown came out to play a shot. Josh Wolff ran onto the Stoitchkov pass and easily slotted the opening goal of Spring Training 2001 past Brown, who has scrambling to get back into the goal. “The goal is typical of one that Hristo and I link up on,” Wolff said. “I just made a good, hard run and he was able to find me.” The Rapids were able to knot the score at 1-1 right before halftime. Fire defender Evan Whitfield hauled down Rapids winger Wes Hart just outside the top of the box. Colorado midfielder Ross Paule blasted the ensuing free kick to the under the left side of the wall and past Fire ‘keeper Zach Thornton just inside the left post from 20 yards out. Colorado rookie defender Steve Herdsman stood out in the first half, displaying some solid passing skills from the back to go along with good foot speed. Likewise, second-year midfielder Hart performed admirably as the left-sided midfielder for head coach Tim Hankinson. To no surprise, veterans Stoitchkov and Nowak generated several significant scoring chances throughout the match. However, it was the second half substitutes, Wolyniec and Lavrinenko who made the difference in this Spring Training contest. Chicago 4 Colorado 3. Goals: Wolff (Stoitchkov, Kovalenko) 34, Wolyniec (Armas) 75, Wolyniec (Curtin, Nowak) 87, Lavrinenko (Armas) 89; Paule (Bravo) 45+, Spencer (Bravo) 48, Spencer (Agogo, Carroll) 85. Chicago Fire — Zach Thornton (Henry Ring 46), Carlos Bocanegra (Jim Curtin 46), Andrew Lewis, Evan Whitfield, Diego Gutierrez, Chris Armas, Jesse Marsch (Yuri Lavrinenko 76), Dema Kovalenko (Justin Evans 46), Peter Nowak, Hristo Stoitchkov (John Wolyniec 62), Josh Wolff (Kent Njoku 75). Colorado — Adin Brown (David Kramer 68), Scott Vermillion, Steven Herdsman, Chris Martinez (John Carroll 68), Chris Dawes, Jason Moore (John Spencer 46), Paul Bravo (Ryan Trout 77), Ross Paule, Wes Hart, Junior Agogo, John Carroll, Neathan Gibson (Matt Okoh 77).