June 16, 2008

Chicago, Ill.- Former UIC soccer star Cesar Zambrano made his first professional start this past weekend in the Colorado Rapids' match against Toronto FC on Saturday.

Donning a Rapids kit during a Major League Soccer regular season match for the first time, Zambrano played all 90 minutes of the contest on the Colorado backline at BMO Field in Toronto.

Colorado suffered a 3-1 defeat against a tough Toronto team that features an undefeated home record.

Prior to Saturday, Zambrano played 301 minutes in Reserve Division play and saw action during Colorado's 1-0 win over the Los Angeles Galaxy in a 2008 U.S. Open Cup play-in match. He also earned extensive time in Colorado's preseason exhibition slate, including a start against the Arsenal Reserves in March.

A dazzling midfielder during his three-year UIC career from 2005-2007, Zambrano scored 15 goals, assisted on 12 others and tallied 42 points for the Flames. He was a two-time NSCAA/adidas All-Region selection (2006, 2007) and a three-time All-Horizon League selection (2005, 2006, 2007).

As a senior in 2007 Zambrano led UIC with six goals, seven assists and 19 points. He was a 2007 NSCAA/adidas All-Great Lakes Region Second Team selection, a 2007 All-Horizon League First Team selection, and the 2007 Horizon League Tournament Most Valuable Player.