Rapids to host EPL's Swansea City on July 24

Swansea City's Joe Allen against Man U. Paul Scholes

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Friday, May 11, 2012) – The Colorado Rapids announced on Friday that the club will host English Premier League side Swansea City on Tuesday, July 24 at 7:00 p.m. MT at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City. The match is the first in a two-game American tour, with the Swans also visiting the San Jose Earthquakes on July 31.


Tickets to the match will go on sale to the public at www.ColoradoRapids.com or 303-825-GOAL starting Saturday, May 26 at 10:00 a.m. MT. A special presale will be available for Season Ticket Holders, with their usual seats available at MLS regular season pricing, from Tuesday, May 16 through Friday, May 25. General tickets for the friendly match start at $22, with tickets for a special two-pack with the September 5 match against the Portland Timbers starting from $40.


Rapids history versus international opponents

“Everyone at the Rapids is thrilled to welcome Swansea City to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park this summer,” said Colorado Rapids President Tim Hinchey. “They are a rising club that plays a great style of football, and we’re looking forward to an exciting and fun match for all our fans.”


Players' reactions to playing Swansea City

With one game left in the EPL season, Swansea City sits in12th place in the standings, with an 11-15-11 (W-L-T) record. Among other impressive results in their first season in the EPL, the Swans captured a 1-0 win against first-place Manchester City on March 11 and had a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory against Arsenal on January 15.


The Swans are the first Welsh club to reach the Premiership since the league was formed. Founded in 1912, the club has won the Welsh Cup 10 times, third-most in the history of the competition. Additionally, they have twice won the Football League Trophy, also commonly known as the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.


PHOTOS: Rapids vs international competition

This will be the first match between the Rapids and Swansea City, whose two-match American tour was organized by the UK-based soccer agency PSC Ltd. (www.pscltd.co.uk). This will be Colorado’s second-ever game against an English Premier League team, having faced Everton on August 3, 2008. The Rapids have hosted four previous international friendly matches at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, most recently a matchup against Mexico’s Club América in 2009.