Rapids Week begins with Operation 5280

March on 16th Street Mall kicks off countdown to First Kick

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Friday, March 2, 2012) – The Colorado Rapids announced details of “Rapids Week 2012” this afternoon, the annual series of events leading up to the team’s First Kick and celebrating the club’s 17th season in Major League Soccer. Today’s “Operation 5280” is the first event leading up to the Rapids opening match on Saturday, March 10 at 4:00 p.m. against the Columbus Crew at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

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“Rapids Week 2012” will include participation by people throughout the Rapids organization, including players, coaches, staff and mascots, as well as the club’s passionate supporters.

RAPIDS WEEK 2012 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Friday, March 2

Operation 5280 (3:00 p.m.)

Rapids Week 2012 kicks off with a march through Downtown Denver, as Rapids staff and supporters will join to celebrate the club, canvas the 16th Street Mall, and hand out giveaways and prizes to fans along the way. The march will start at the Colorado State Capitol building at 3:00 p.m., and the group will follow the 16th Street Mall, ending at Union Station. All are invited to participate!

Saturday, March 3

Rapids vs. Colorado School of Mines (3:00 p.m.)

The Rapids will have a final preseason scrimmage as a tune-up before the March 10 First Kick against the Columbus Crew, taking on the Colorado School of Mines. The Rapids have played a number of scrimmages throughout preseason against colleges, MLS clubs, and international competition, and will use the match to continue preparation for the 2012 MLS regular season.

Class VI Kickoff Party (7:00 p.m.)

The Rapids oldest Supporters’ Group, Class VI, will hold their kickoff party with several members of the technical staff, including Head Coach Oscar Pareja, in attendance to answer questions and interact with fans. The event will take place at the Celtic Tavern at 1801 Blake Street, and is open to Class VI members as well as all other Rapids supporters and fans.

Colorado Avalanche vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (7:00 p.m.)

A pair of Rapids veterans and hockey fans in Drew Moor and Matt Pickens will attend the Avalanche game against the star-studded Pittsburgh Penguins. The players will be featured on the big screen in between periods, with special Rapids giveaways also going to lucky fans throughout the game.

Sunday, March 4

Colorado Rapids Season Preview Show on Altitude (6:00 p.m.)

Altitude is returning for another season broadcasting Rapids games in HD, and their season preview show will air throughout the week leading up to the game, including Sunday evening. Get all the information on the team with play-by-play man Todd Romero and color commentator Marcelo Balboa. Visit www.altitude.tv for more information on Rapids telecasts.

Monday, March 5

Denver Nuggets vs. Sacramento Kings (7:00 p.m.)

Many Rapids players will be heading to the Pepsi Center on Monday night for the Nuggets vs. Kings game on Monday night, and the players will be featured on the court during halftime, and will also provide giveaways for lucky fans at the game. The Rapids will also be highlighted on the Altitude broadcast of the game.

Wednesday, March 7

Second Annual Kickoff Luncheon (11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)

The entire Colorado Rapids team, including players and coaches, will be at the Denver Marriott City Center for the club’s second annual Kickoff Luncheon. The event is an opportunity for fans and partners to meet the Rapids team ahead of the season, and limited spots are still available by contacting Rapids Senior Manager of Community Relations Marisa Colaiano (mcolaiano@dsgpark.com, 303-727-3517). In addition to purchasing a table for lunch, attendees will also have the chance to purchase other items, with all proceeds from the event going to Kroenke Sports Charities.

Thursday, March 8

Boy Scouts of America Sports Breakfast (7:00 a.m.)

Rapids midfielder and the team’s 2011 Humanitarian of the Year Wells Thompson will attend the Boy Scouts of America’s 36th Annual Sports Breakfast, being held at the Pepsi Center. People attending the event will get the chance to meet with Thompson, and speak with him about his charity work and more. Information on the event can be found by clicking here.

HealthONE Visit to Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children

A total of five Rapids players, as well as a team mascot, will visit the Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children on Thursday afternoon to tour the facility meeting patients and families, and giving away prizes. The event is part of the club’s partnership with HealthONE.

Friday, March 9

Pub Crawl in LoDo (6:00 – 9:00 p.m.)

Just one day before the Rapids match against the Crew, the club will participate in a Pub Crawl in LoDo sponsored by Heineken. Some Rapids players (who are injured and unable to play in Saturday’s game) may participate in the event, which will include the chance for fans to win prizes including a Rapids suite at a future game and a Heineken Beertender.

Saturday, March 10

American Diabetes Association Expo (9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.)

The Rapids Street Team will join the American Diabetes Association Expo to interact with attendees at the event, giving away Rapids prizes and supporting the relationship between the two organizations. The Rapids and the ADA promote healthy, active lifestyles; for more information, please visit www.diabetes.org.

Colorado Rapids vs. Columbus Crew (4:00 p.m.)

In a matchup between clubs that have met in the playoffs in two consecutive seasons, the Colorado Rapids will kick off the 2012 season at home against the Columbus Crew at 4:00 p.m. The Rapids will make their debut under new Head Coach Oscar Pareja, and will look to start off the season in style.

JEFF PLUSH TO LEAVE THE COLORADO RAPIDS

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Tuesday, December 6, 2011) – The Colorado Rapids announced Tuesday that Managing Director Jeff Plush is leaving the organization.

Plush was named Managing Director of the Rapids in January 2006 and helped guide the team to its first-ever Major League Soccer Championship in 2010.

Rapids Must Win Match Coming on Weds. 11/2 in Kansas City, KS

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Sunday, October 30, 2011) – The Colorado Rapids will train on Monday and Tuesday ahead of Wednesday night’s Conference Semifinal second leg at Sporting Kansas City, with the Rapids needing to win by at least two goals to stay alive in the MLS Cup Playoffs.

Colorado Rapids Goal Highlight Against Columbus Crew...

Colorado Rapids Advance in MLS Playoffs Beating Columbus Crew 1 to 0... Next Game in Commerce City Against Sporting Kansas on Sunday 5:30pm.

Rapids host Columbus Crew on Thursday night to start MLS Cup defense

RAPIDS HOST COLUMBUS CREW ON THURSDAY TO OPEN MLS CUP PLAYOFFS: The Colorado Rapids will host the Columbus Crew in a Wild Card match in the MLS Cup Playoffs this Thursday, October 27 at 8:00 p.m. MT at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Colorado secured a home match to open the MLS Cup Playoffs by earning a 2-1 win at Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday afternoon, and will face the Crew in the opening round of the playoffs for the second straight year, as Colorado topped Columbus on penalty kicks after a 2-2 aggregate draw in a home-and-home series in 2010. Tickets to the Rapids' first playoff match of their MLS Cup defense are on sale at www.ColoradoRapids.com and 303-825-GOAL.

Rapids clinch berth in 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs

Commerce City, Colo. - The Colorado Rapids today clinched a berth in the 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs and will begin defense of their MLS Cup title with a Wild Card playoff match on October 26 or 27. The location and opponent of the Wild Card game will be determined next weekend, when the Rapids visit the Vancouver Whitecaps on October 22 in the regular season finale.

BUY PLAYOFF TICKETS

RAPIDS JOIN WITH COLORADO CANCER COALITION FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

Rapids to help raise money and awareness for the fight against breast cancer in October

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Monday, September 26, 2011) – The Colorado Rapids, Kroenke Sports Charities and the Colorado Cancer Coalition – Breast Cancer Task Force have joined together with a variety of efforts for Breast Cancer Awareness month in October. The Rapids will help raise money and awareness for the Colorado Cancer Coalition, and will also integrate the color pink – which helps represent Breast Cancer Awareness – into their match on October 14 against Real Salt Lake .

RAPIDS TO HOST FAITH AND FUTBOL NIGHT ON SEPTEMBER 24

Midfielder Wells Thompson to speak at the event presented by Colorado Christian University

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Tuesday, September 20, 2011) -The Colorado Rapids and Colorado Christian University are teaming up to present Faith and Futbol Night at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on Saturday, September 24, when the Rapids take on the San Jose Earthquakes in their first of three remaining regular season home games. The event will feature speeches from Rapids midfielder Wells Thompson and former Liverpool player Gary Evans, the current head coach of the men's team at Colorado Christian University, as well as live performances by Christian rock groups Chasen and Everfound.

THE BRONCOS AND THE AFC WEST TAKE RIVALRY OFF THE FIELD AND TO THE STREET

Teams Challenge Their Fans to be 'Good Sports' and Sober Designated Drivers!

Denver (Sept 12, 2011) The Broncos, Chiefs, Raiders and Chargers have found an additional way to compete this season. To help promote a positive in-stadium experience for fans and make our roads safer, the Broncos will partner with the Colorado State Patrol, Colorado Department of Transportation, Techniques for Effective Alcohol Management (TEAM) Coalition and Anheuser-Busch for the Broncos Designated Driver Challenge.

RAPIDS SIGN VERSATILE DEFENDER MIGUEL COMMINGES

Guadeloupe international to join Rapids next week

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Saturday, September 10, 2011) – The Colorado Rapids announced on Friday that the team has signed versatile defender Miguel Comminges, a Guadeloupe international with experience playing professionally in France and England , as an International Player. Comminges is expected to join the team early next week and will be eligible for Tuesday night’s match against Santos in the CONCACAF Champions League. Per League and Team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

COLORADO RAPIDS WEEKLY UPDATE: AUGUST 29, 2011

Rapids look to next match on Sept. 9 at LA and next home game Sept. 13 vs. Santos ; Four Rapids players to play with National Teams in matches held this week;
Drew Moor’s impressive consecutive games streak comes to a close


RAPIDS TO FACE LA GALAXY ON THE ROAD ON SEPT. 9: The Colorado Rapids have a rare break in action this weekend before taking on the LA Galaxy on Friday, Sept. 9 at The Home Depot Center in Carson , Calif. , in a match between two of MLS’ best teams. The Galaxy (14-3-9, 51 points) currently have the top record in the league, while the Rapids (10-7-11, 41 points) are three spots back in the overall standings. The match kicks off at 9:00 p.m. MT and will be broadcast live on Fox Soccer Channel.

RAPIDS MIDFIELDER JEFF LARENTOWICZ SELECTED TO UNITED STATES NATIONAL TEAM

Larentowicz will join U.S. for matches against Costa Rica on Sept. 2 and Belgium on Sept. 6

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Thursday, August 25, 2011) – Colorado Rapids midfielder Jeff Larentowicz, who has scored a career-high six goals in MLS play this season, has been called into the United States National Team by head coach Jurgen Klinsmann for upcoming friendly matches against Costa Rica and Belgium. Larentowicz has made one previous appearance with the United States , playing 90 minutes in a friendly against Chile this past January.

Rapids come from behind to defeat SJ 2-1

Folan and Larentowicz tallies extend unbeaten streak to five straight

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Omar Cummings and Sanna Nyassi have proven over the last month that the Colorado Rapids don’t need Conor Casey to succeed.

Commerce City gymnast is undefeated champion

COUGAR TEAM MEMBERS BRING HOME GOLD, SILVER AND BRONZE

COMMERCE CITY – Eight-year-old gymnast Kennedy Waltenburg is a state champion, winning the all-around title in her age bracket at the recent Colorado Association of Recreational Athletes (CARA) state meet. Waltenburg took gold medals in vault and uneven bar, along with a bronze medal on the balance beam in Level 4 competition at the meet, July 29-30 in Aurora. Waltenburg scored a 34.8 to take top all-around honors, finishing a perfect season during which she won the all-around title at four meets, as well as regional championships.

Denver POST: Did Dick’s force Sports Authority’s hand in Broncos naming rights deal?

Five years ago, Dick’s Sporting Goods won the right to place its name on Stan Kroenke’s new soccer stadium in Commerce City.

Colorado Rapids full schedule of the CONCACAF

The Colorado Rapids learned their full schedule of matches for the Group Stage of the CONCACAF Champions League on Wednesday. The Rapids will host three games, starting with Isidro Metapán of El Salvador on August 17, followed by Santos Laguna of Mexico on Sept. 13 and Real España of Honduras on Sept. 21. Colorado will also travel to face each of those three teams.