COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — After finishing the regular season atop the Western Conference, the Colorado Rapids will begin their Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs run on Thanksgiving Day in a nationally televised match on FOX and FOX Deportes kicking off at 2:30 p.m. MT. The Rapids will host the winner of the Round One encounter between the Portland Timbers and Minnesota United FC at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park in the Western Conference Semifinal in what will be the first-ever Major League Soccer match played on the national holiday.
“Coming off what has already been an historic season for us, we couldn’t be more thrilled to have the honor of hosting the first Thanksgiving Day match in MLS history,” said Pádraig Smith, Rapids Executive VP & General Manager. “To share this national holiday with our passionate supporters is an incredible opportunity we’re very much looking forward to.”
The top seven teams in each conference qualified for the league’s postseason, with each conference winner, Colorado and New England, earning a first-round bye. Seeds 2, 3 and 4 will host seeds 7, 6 and 5, respectively, in the single-elimination tournament. The MLS Cup Final will take place on Dec. 11.
2021 was the most successful regular season in Rapids history and marks the second consecutive playoffs appearance in two full seasons under head coach Robin Fraser. The Rapids finished the year top of the Western Conference for the first time in club history and their 61 points and 13 clean sheets were also the most-ever for the club, while their 17 wins were a team-high in the post-shootout era.
Visit ColoradoRapids.com/Playoffs for more information and to purchase tickets.
