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.Three of the Rapids first four games in the Champions League will be at home, including the much-anticipated match against Santos Laguna on September 13. Santos, a three-time champion of the Mexican First Division, features stars including goalkeeper Oswaldo Sánchez, midfielder Daniel Ludueña and forward Carlos Quintero.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE HEADQUARTERS: STANDINGS, SCHEDULE, NEWS, TICKETS, FAQ
The Rapids qualified for the tournament as a result of winning the 2010 MLS Cup, Isidro Metapan as the defending Apertura Champion in El Salvador's league, Real Espana as champions of the Honduran Apertura, and Santos as the runner-up of Mexico's Primera Division's Apertura. Each team will play the other once at home and once on the road, and the top two from the group will advance to the tournament’s quarterfinals, which will be held in early 2012.
Tickets to the Rapids three CONCACAF Champions League matches are now on sale starting as low as $17 per game. Special deals for all three Group Stage games, which include a limited edition “All Champions” shirt, are also be available.
COLORADO RAPIDS SCHEDULE FOR 2011-2012 CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
August 17 (8 pm MT): Rapids vs. Isidro Metapán (SLV) - Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, CO
August 23 (8 pm MT): Rapids @ Real España (HON) - Estadio Francisco Morazán, San Pedro Sula, Honduras
September 13 (8 pm MT): Rapids vs. Santos Laguna (MEX) - Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, CO
September 21 (8 pm MT): Rapids vs. Real España (HON) - Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, CO
September 28 (8 pm MT): Rapids @ Isidro Metapán (SLV) - Estadio Jorge Calero Suárez, Metapán, El Salvador
October 19 (6 pm MT): Rapids @ Santos Laguna (MEX) - Estadio Corona, Torreón, Mexico
The CONCACAF Champions League is an annual 24-team tournament that identifies the best club team from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, and the winner earns a berth in the 2012 FIFA Club World Cup, a tournament featuring the winners of the other respective continental championships, including the European Champions League and South America’s Copa Libertadores.
