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A new season is almost upon us, and it’s the perfect time to highlight some of the most important match-ups for the 2017 Colorado Rapids. You can get single game tickets at ColoradoRapids.com.
Saturday, March 4, 2017 vs the New England Revolution
Home Opener
After a successful 2016 season, the Rapids will be on a mission to have a strong start, as well as make a bid for another undefeated home record.
This will also be our first look at some of the newest additions for the Rapids in a full game performance, such as Kortne Ford, Ricardo Perez, Alan Gordon, and Bismark Adjei-Boateng. The fans could also get a glimpse of some of the newest players who the Rapids picked in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft.
Last season, the Rapids only faced the Revs on one occasion (September 3rd at Gillette Stadium) and the Rapids lost 2-0.
Saturday, March 18, 2017 vs Minnesota United FC
This will give the Rapids and their fans the first real look of what this newly expanded MLS team has to offer. Minnesota has been in the North American Soccer League (NASL) for a few years, but will now be up at the professional level in MLS.
One of the latest signings that the Minnesota United have made was grabbing the veteran Swedish goaltender in John Alvbåge off of a loan from IFK Göteborg of the Allsvenskan Swedish league. In 2016, Minnesota United FC finished in the NASL with a record of 6-9-7 to finish in 8th place.
Saturday, April 1, 2017 vs FC Dallas
This game will be the one that all Rapids fans & the majority of the league will be paying attention to. Last season, FC Dallas finished with the top overall record of the Western Conference 17-9-8 (WTL) and 60 points. The Rapids finished the season nipping at their tails with a record of 15-13-6 (WTL) and a total of 58 points.
In 2016, the Rapids finished with a series record against FC Dallas of 1 win, 1 draw, and 1 loss. The Rapids would get the last laugh against their conference rivals in their final meeting of the regular season on September 10, 2016 at Toyota Stadium, winning by a final score of 1-0 and breaking Dallas’ undefeated at home streak.
Saturday, April 15, 2017 vs Real Salt Lake
This will be the first time in the 2017 regular season where the Rapids will play host to their long-time rivals, Real Salt Lake. Last season, the Rapids only won one of the three meetings between the two teams.
Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at LA Galaxy
Jermaine Jones Reunion Game
This marks the first meeting of the season between Colorado and LA, and this time it will be on the Galaxy turf. We will see a familiar face in ex-Rapids player Jermaine Jones, and it will be the first time that veteran Alan Gordon will face his former squad after spending a combined six seasons with the Galaxy. Gordo first played for them 2007-2010, and then again 2014-2016.
Sunday, June 18, 2017 vs Portland Timbers
Last season, the Rapids held a 1-1-1 record over the Portland Timbers (who after winning the MLS Cup in 2015, missed the 2016 MLS Playoffs). The Timbers are always a fairly competitive team who will provide an early test for the Rapids squad, but it’s important to mention that the game will be at Dicks Sporting Good Park. Last year, the Rapids were the only undefeated team at home in MLS. The Timbers were not that lucky on the road, as they had a combined road record of 0-11-6.
Saturday, June 24, 2017 at Atlanta United FC
Atlanta United FC will be looking to show that they can fit in with the top teams of the MLS, and the Rapids should be a decent test for them. Atlanta has put together quite a squad in the off-season, signing players such as Jacob Peterson, Tyrone Mears, Jeff Larentowicz, and (supposedly) USMNT keeper Brad Guzan.
Tuesday, July 4, 2017 vs Seattle Sounds FC
The big 4th of July game is the first time the Burgundy Boys will face the defending MLS Cup Champions, and the team who eliminated them in the MLS Playoffs. This game is huge, and will give the Rapids an opportunity to get revenge for being bounced by the Sounders in the 2016 MLS Playoffs. Rapids Rabbi thinks Seattle is going to be a Supporters’ Shield contender this season, so this game should be a good one.
Saturday, July 22, 2017 at Toronto FC
Last season, Toronto was one of those teams who everyone believed they would win it all, and they just about did... until they ran into the Seattle Sounders in the MLS Cup finals. This season, Toronto will look to take the crown, as they came so close the year before.
Colorado only had the pleasure of playing Toronto once in 2016, back in April. The Rapids pulled off the 1-0 victory, and walked away with three points.
Saturday, September 16 vs. New York City FC
Disaster. That’s the only way to describe last year’s 5-1 loss in the Bronx. But this year, NYCFC is coming to Colorado, and our Burgundy Boys should get some redemption.
Sunday, October 22, 2017 at Seattle Sounders FC
Final Regular Season Game vs Defending Champions
This last game will mostly serve as a final tune-up game for the MLS Playoffs, and it is one hell of a way to prepare the Rapids. The Sounders are always a good team, but they are even better at home, where last season they held a record of 10-5-2.