MLS is Back Tournament: When do the Colorado Rapids play?

All eyes are on Orlando, Florida—that is, all eyes interested in MLS returning to the pitch. The schedule for the tournament was released recently. Time to circle dates and mark calendars for when our Colorado Rapids will face their Group D opponents (all shown on ESPN). Below are the three games that the Rapids have in the Group Stage (presented by Heineken).

Sunday, July 12 vs. Real Salt Lake at 8:30 pm

Friday, July 17 vs Sporting Kansas City at 6:00 pm

Wednesday, July 22 vs Minnesota United at 8:30 pm

(To view the entire schedule and download it on your phone, click here.)

The excitement is palpable: two games per night from July 8-23 to see who will escape out of the group stage (presented by Heineken) into the knockout round (presented by Audi) where four straight days of doubleheaders will take place from July 25-28. Quarterfinals are on July 30 and August 1; semifinals on August 5-6—and the final on August 11.

MLS has identified key rivalry matches that may also be of interest:

July 8: Orlando City vs. Inter Miami CF (ESPN, TSN @ 8ET)

July 11: Atlanta United vs. NY Red Bulls (FOX, TUDN, TSN @ 8ET)

July 11: FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew SC (FS1, TUDN, TSN @ 10:30ET)

July 12: Real Salt Lake vs. Colorado Rapids (ESPN, TSN @ 10:30ET)

July 15: Montreal Impact vs. Toronto FC (TUDN & Twitter, TSN, TVAS @ 8ET)

July 18: LAFC vs. LA Galaxy (ESPN, ESPN Deportes, TSN @ 10:30ET)

July 20: Seattle Sounders vs. Vancouver Whitecaps (TUDN & Twitter, TSN @ 10:30ET)

As you can see, all 54 games of this tournament will be carried by ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Streaming App, FOX, FS1, TSN, TUDN (formerly known as Univision Deportes), and Twitter. Seven of these games will be played in the morning.

This promises to be a most unique tournament, quite appropriate for MLS’ 25 year. Honestly and objectively, I like the Rapids’ chances of making it out of the Group Stage (presented by Heineken) and go deep into the Knockout Round (presented by Audi).

How about you? How do you believe the Rapids will fare?