Rapids Fans,
Welcome to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park for tonight’s first of three meetings with Rocky Mountain Cup rivals Real Salt Lake (TICKETS).
The last few results have not gone our way, but you can be assured that the team has been working tirelessly as they bid to make it 20 unbeaten at home, gain a head-start in their pursuit of the Rocky Mountain Cup but - more importantly - secure their second win of the new season.
Eight days ago we marked the 10th anniversary of the first-ever game at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Two of those who featured for us in the starting lineup that day, Mike Petke and Kyle Beckerman, will be looking to ruin our record tonight. Now, while it’s always nice to see former players back here in Commerce City, they’ll forgive us for hoping their stay - in a soccer sense - is not a happy one.
Since our last home game, four weeks ago, we have brought in two new players to the club - Joshua Gatt and Mohammed Saeid. Both arrived from Minnesota United FC, with Marc Burch and Sam Cronin heading in the other direction. Welcome to your new club, Josh and Mo. I would also like to recognize and wish Marc and Sam all the very best as they continue their soccer journey’s in Minnesota.
A word on our Development Academy which, today, wrapped up their involvement in the Generation adidas Cup in Frisco, Texas. Our young talent had qualified for the prestigious Champions Division, which included teams from seven other MLS academies, as well as international sides such as Real Madrid, Flamengo, and River Plate. We can be rightly proud of their achievements, and that of the coaching staff led by Chris Cartlidge. Our future is incredibly bright in our Academy, and look for even more coverage on a regular basis of what’s happening on our player development front.
Our good friends at Odell Brewing Co. are offering a fabulous package for this evening’s game, which includes a south endline ticket, a 90 Shilling beer, and a co-branded Rapids t-shirt (pictured right), starting at just $34. Click
HERE
for details.
Burgundy Boulevard and Eighteen76 will be open from 5:00 p.m. Burgundy Boulevard is located outside of Gate F on the west side of the stadium. There will be $3 Bud and Bud Lights, yard games, as well as the Soccerfest Family Zone.
Meanwhile, the Rapids have launched a commemorative poster series that will be sold during select home games, to benefit Kroenke Sports Charities. A limited number of posters will be released, each featuring a different local artist’s design. The posters are $10 each and will be available for purchase tonight at the top of Section 129.
After this evening’s encounter, we have back-to-back road games, at Minnesota United FC (4/23) and Orlando City SC (4/29). You can catch the Minnesota match on Altitude TV, with Richard Fleming and Marcelo Balboa. Our game at Orlando’s new stadium is on UniMas. We then return to our 'Fortress' for back-to-back home games, starting with the visit of Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Friday, May 5 (TICKETS).
As always, thank you so much for your support. Enjoy the game, and I do hope we’ll see you back here on Cinco de Mayo.
Come on you Rapids!
Tim Hinchey
President
