The Colorado Rapids unveiled today the One Flag Kit, the club’s primary jersey for the 2024 and 2025 Major League Soccer seasons.
The One Flag Kit features the Rapids’ signature burgundy as the primary color with sky blue accents on the sleeves and edges of the jersey. Its waved checker pattern pays homage to the supporters’ flags seen throughout DICK’S Sporting Goods Park on matchday. A Colorado state flag is featured on the back of the neck, while the iconic mountain range seen in the Rapids’ crest is emblazoned with a “96” in the bottom corner of the jersey, calling back to Colorado’s place as an original team in MLS.
“We see each of our kits as a wonderful opportunity to represent our community and also support a cause that matters in Colorado,” said Colorado Rapids Chief Business Officer Wayne Brant. “The checkerboard design of the ‘One Flag’ Kit is meant to pay homage to the flags flying in our stadium on gameday as well as the connection between the club and our supporters at large. Most importantly, we’re incredibly proud to continue using our kit partnerships to positively impact the lives of people across our state.”
As part of the One Flag launch, the club announced a partnership with Colorado Soccer Foundation (CSF), a local nonprofit whose mission is to make the game of soccer accessible to all kids who want to play. For the 2024 and 2025 seasons, the Rapids are partnering with CSF to sponsor soccer-specific after-school programming in elementary schools within the Adams 14 school district. Students are coached by teachers from their schools, practice at their schools and play games at Soccer City Aurora. CSF partners with Positive Coaching Alliance to train the teacher-coaches to embrace the “power of positive” and to teach beginning soccer skills.
“The benefits of the soccer after school program are that it takes place right at the school and it is a pay as you're able program,” said Emily Fay, Director of Programming at CSF. "Cost is not a barrier, transportation is not a barrier. What we hear most from families is that peer-to-peer relationships improve the student-athlete relationships with their teachers, improve attendance and overall confidence.”
In addition to the after-school programming, the Rapids will also be sponsoring free pick-up play at both DICK’S Sporting Goods Park and Soccer City Aurora during the summer months of June-August.
“It’s so important to the club, that we help grow the game of soccer in the state of Colorado.” said Colorado Rapids Senior Director of Community Impact & Events Caitlin Kinser. “We’re committed to using our One Flag kit as a platform to eliminate the various barriers that limit access to the sport and ultimately to make the game more accessible for the next generation of budding soccer stars in our community.”
The One Flag Kit is available online at AltitudeAuthentics.com and MLSstore.com. Fans in the Denver area can bring their One Flag Kit to the Rapids’ Season Kickoff Party on February 28 to receive free name and number customization courtesy of UCHealth, available for pickup at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park at a later date.
More information on the One Flag Kit is available at ColoradoRapids.com/OneFlag.
The Rapids will kick off their 2024 MLS season on the road against Portland Timbers on February 24 at 8:30 p.m. MT (Apple TV - MLS Season Pass).
