COMMERCE CITY, CO (ColoradoRapids.com) – With the playoffs looming, your Colorado Rapids are preparing to host Toronto FC in their first and only home encounter between the 2 clubs in the 2009 regular season this Saturday night.

 

Make sure to wear your burgundy, warm up your vocal chords, memorize the words to “America the Beautiful”, and bring your American flags, as your Rapids battle Canadian side Toronto FC at home this Saturday! Colorado will take on Dwayne DeRosario and the rest of his teammates from the frozen north for the only time at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park this season.

 

Kickoff is set for 8:00pm MT this Saturday, September 5th at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, the club's only home 8pm kickoff time of the entire season.

 

Toronto come to Colorado for the first time in 2009 holding down fifth place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 8-8-7 for 31 points.

The Rapids are hosting their second home match in a row this Saturday night, and the first of their final 3 regular season home games of 2009. Colorado come into Saturday's game tied for 4th place in the West (with Chivas USA and Real Salt Lake) with a record of 9-7-6 for 33 points.

 

This will be the first match between these two clubs this season, and will be the first of a home-and-away series on consecutive weekends with Toronto, with the return match being played next Saturday, September 12th at BMO Field.

 

Your Rapids will look to improve upon their all-time record vs. Toronto, as they are 1-3-0 vs. the 2007 MLS expansion club, with a record of 1-1-0 when playing in Colorado.

 

The last encounter between these 2 clubs took place over a year ago, on August 9, 2008, in a match that resulted in a 1-0 loss for Colorado at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

 

Saturday's match will be televised nationally on Fox Soccer Channel.
 
Tickets are still available for this game; if you haven't already purchased your tickets to the match, now's the time to act! Fans can buy tickets online at the TicketHorse official website by clicking here.
 
For the full match preview of this game, visit the Colorado Rapids' Official Match-Up Page, featuring interactive projected lineups, insider game notes, head-to-head stats, and the latest injury and suspension reports, by clicking here!
 
GAME PROMOTIONS FOR THIS SATURDAY'S HOME MATCH:

 

COLORADO HERITAGE NIGHT: in honor of the Rapids' Colorado Heritage Night on Saturday, 2,000 lucky fans at the stadium will receive a free limited-edition, signature series collectable poster of this game's featured players, Conor Casey and Colin Clark! The 11x14" glossy poster, which is the final one of the club's 8-poster series for 2009, features a color action shot on the front, and a copy of their signatures and biographies on the reverse!

 

US WORLD CUP QUALIFIER: The US Men's National Team take on El Salvador in a crucial World Cup Qualifying match this Saturday night! The Cantina at Dick's Sporting Goods Park will open early to allow fans access to watch the game live! Kickoff is at 6:00pm MT; come down to the Cantina for great food and drinks and to watch the USA and then stay for the Rapids game immediately afterwards!

 

5280 NIGHT: Did you know the Rapids have 5280 embroidered on the back collar of their authentic game jerseys? The elevation of our home city is a number that's very dear to our club. Saturday's game is a celebration of all things Colorado, as we recognize the heritage of our native players! And get there early.....the 5,280th fan through the gates Saturday night will win a free yearly subscription to 5280 Magazine, the Rapids' Media Partner for Saturday!

 

SLACKER & STEVE SLANKET SECTION: Looking for an excuse to wear your Slanket out of the house? On Saturday, join Alice 105.9FM's Slacker & Steve’s Slanket Section at the Colorado Rapids game! Have a Slanket? Take a picture in it, upload it, and get hooked up with tickets! Slanketless? No worries, Slacker & Steve have the in with the Slanket peeps and want to get you outfitted! Just fill out the form and you and your Slanket could join Slacker and Steve at the game! Details

 

FREE HAT GIVEAWAY - Don't miss this great giveaway for Saturday night's game, and this one's just for the adults! The first 5,000 fans 21 & over into the stadium on Saturday night will receive a free ballcap courtesy of Budweiser!

 

POSTGAME MATCH - Following the conclusion of the Rapids' match, fans are invited to stay inside the stadium for a free postgame match featuring teams of the World Soccer League  Men’s Open Division, as the Colorado Timberline take on Atletico Morelos on the stadium pitch! Admission is free with your Rapids game ticket.

 

SMILING MOOSE DELI "MIGHTY MO" PACK: For this game, fans can get tickets and food at the match for one low price! Order the Smiling Moose Deli "Mighty Mo Pack" for this game; it includes 2 game tickets and 2 Mighty Mo cheeseburger grinders from the Smiling Moose Deli concession stand at the stadium for the low price of only $38! Order your Mighty Mo Pack online for this game by clicking here!

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