It was an early morning for the Colorado Rapids, but one that all were happy to welcome. The team met at Dick's Sporting Goods Park at 5:45 am Wednesday morning to depart for the aiport. By 10 am, the group had arrived in Las Vegas, Nev. ahead of Friday's Pro Soccer Challenge exhibition against Chivas USA at Sam Boyd Stadium.
Oscar Pareja has brought 30 players, of which seven are non-roster invitees that include five 2013 Draft picks.
The team will hold two training sessions before scrimmaging UNVL Thursday night (7 p.m.). Tickets for Friday's match, which kicks off at 7:30 p.m., can be purchased by CLICKING HERE.
This is Colorado’s third preseason trip to Las Vegas. In 2003 Colorado defeated Mexican club Santos Laguna 2-0 at Sam Boyd Stadium. Four years later, the Rapids played Real Salt Lake to a scoreless tie in a 2007 preseason match.
RAPIDS ROSTER IN LAS VEGAS:
Goalkeepers: Matt Pickens, Stew Ceus, Clint Irwin
Defenders: Drew Moor, Diego Calderon, Marvell Wynne, Brian Mullan, Anthony Wallace, Chris Klute, ^Kory Kindle, ^Marcello Castro, ^Brenton Griffiths
Midfielders: Hendry Thomas, Pablo Mastroeni, Tony Cascio, Dillon Powers, Dillon Serna, Nick LaBrocca, Nathan Sturgis, Jamie Smith, ^Machael David
Forwards: Edson Buddle, Deshorn Brown, Andre Akpan, Atiba Harris, Kamani Hill, Kevin Harbottle, Cesar Romero, ^Stefano Pinho, Marcos Pirchio
Non-roster invitees; ^un-signed Draft Picks
The Rapids are scheduled to make an appearance at the Mayor's Cup Tournament on Saturday before returning to Colorado in the evening. They will be home for two days before leaving for California for the final preseason trip and match.
