Colorado Rapids
Edson Buddle has only been with the Rapids a few weeks. 
But as a MLS and U.S. national team veteran, he's known some of his new teammates for some time, including Marvell Wynne. That has made the transition to the Rapids that much easier, as evidenced by the fact that Marvell trusted 
Edson to give him a new haircut.
On the right is what Marvell looked like at the start of preseason camp. On the left, a few weeks in when he saved his head before the group went to Vegas.
Apparently, he wasn't done with his new look. Here's the image Edson tweeted on Thursday:
I just gave ummdub aka Marvel that fresh line-up. mikestylezhof what you think? #sharp #1stlineup #rapids… instagr.am/p/WBL9LNF4i9/
— Edson Buddle (@EdsonBuddle) February 22, 2013
The countdown for some started before last season ended. For others, it began after MLS Cup, the day of the SuperDraft, or when the schedule was announced.
We're now less than four weeks away from the opening match at FC Dallas on March 2. And, we're even closer to the 2013 home opener against Philadelphia on March 9.
When did you start looking forward to the 2013 season?
Get excited. It's coming up.
The past few days have been a little unnverving for Rapids midfielder Martin Rivero. The 23-year Argentinian suffered a broken bone in his right foot just before the end of the first half of the first preseason game on Tuesday. It was the first broken bone that he's suffered as a professional, and the ensuing surgery was also a first for the second-year playmaker.
But one thing that has kept him positive is the connection he's built with fans through his twitter handle. Rivero has chronicled and given fans - in Spanish and English - a unique behind the scenes perspective of his week, starting prior to the match, as he returned to Denver, on the surgery table, and afterwards. See below:
in friendly vs portland awhile! En un rato amistoso vs portland!
— martin rivero (@tinchorivero10) January 29, 2013
with a lot of anger and pain. now to get ahead! Con mucha bronca y dolor. Ahora a salir adelante!! twitter.com/tinchorivero10…
— martin rivero (@tinchorivero10) January 30, 2013
back to Denver. absolute rest. a shame not to make the preseason with the group.
— martin rivero (@tinchorivero10) January 30, 2013
a volver a Denver. reposo absoluto. una lastima no poder hacer la pretemporada con el grupo.
— martin rivero (@tinchorivero10) January 30, 2013
to rest! I am happy because now operate! A descansar! Contento porque mañana ya me operan! Good night!
— martin rivero (@tinchorivero10) January 31, 2013
to go to the hospital for surgery! God will be with me as always. thanks to those who support me hates
— martin rivero (@tinchorivero10) January 31, 2013
Listo para la operacion! Ready for surgery! ;) twitter.com/tinchorivero10…
— martin rivero (@tinchorivero10) January 31, 2013
Ya en casa despues de la operacion. Muy contento por que salio todo bien!
— martin rivero (@tinchorivero10) January 31, 2013
and then home after the operation. very happy that everything went well!
— martin rivero (@tinchorivero10) January 31, 2013
Ecarando la recuperación de la mejor manera y con el mejor animo!..Facing the recovery in the best way and with the best spirit!
— martin rivero (@tinchorivero10) February 1, 2013
A few months ago we told you about Rapids Academy midfielder Bryan Windsor's trip to Barcelona, where he got to train at Barcelona's La Masia facility and receive first-hand instructions from the same youth coaching system that developed the world-player of the year, Lionel Messi, among others.
On Sunday, CBS's famed-program, 60 Minutes, profiled the story of Barcelona FC, giving arguably the best club soccer team in the world - in this era - a huge platform to be seen by millions of people in the United States. There's a lot of good stuff here, give yourself 15 minutes and watch it:
It might not be quite fair to appoint 2012 as the "Year of the Soccer Bar" in Denver, but it's definitely a year in which these establishments have stood out. 
And now there's word of another bar about to open.
In the downtown Denver area, soccer fans have been regulars at The British Bulldog, The Three Lions, and the Celtic Tavern, and other locations like Fado or GB's have also welcomed fans of the beautiful game.
The latest soccer bar, The Armoury (Arsenal fans will like the background of the name), is shooting to open in the ballpark neightborhood on New Years Eve at 2048 Larimer Street. There's also already talk that they, too, hope to one day bus fans to Rapids games at Dick's Sporting Goods Park as the other pubs did this past year.
Here's the link to story on the new place, from The Westword.
This past Saturday, July 28 the Special Olympics Rapids took on the Special Olympics Sounders at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Despite a 2-0 loss, the SO Rapids enjoyed playing in the stadium, under the big lights with family and fans on the sidelines.
At the 17th Annual 4thFest this Wednesday, fans will have the opportunity to show off their National and Rapids pride.
Altitude Authentics has created a limited edition USA-Rapids themed scarf as the Merchandise of the Match. At each Rapids home game this season, Altitude Authentics features a Merch of the Match, which is a single merchandise item at a discounted price for one day only. This patriotic scarf will be available at all Altitude Authentics retail locations at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Wednesday for only $20 (regular price $25).
Supplies are limited, so don't wait. Pick up your red, white and blue Rapids scarf and hold it high as the team takes the field on Wednesday.
The last time Rapids supporters groups Pid Army and Class VI interacted with the traveling supporters of the Portland Timbers - the Timbers Army - in Colorado, each were celebrating a 'first.'
It happened prior to the opening game of the 2011 season, when the Rapids fans were about to watch the MLS Cup winning side for the first time since the final, and the Timbers fans were about to watch their team make their MLS debut.
Now in their second season, we're not expecting the 500 or so Timbers fans that traveled last year, but the fans that are coming to Colorado will once again be hosted by the Pid Army and Class VI fans.
"As we had such a great time with them here and in Portland last year," said Pid Army chief Dave Cleland, "we will continue to prove that rival fans can get along great before and after the game but still be passionate about their respective teams inside the stadium."
The supporters of both teams will gather at the Celtic Tavern in downtown Denver Saturday and then take separate buses to Dick's Sporting Goods Park for the Rapids vs Timbers game (7 pm MT). The buses are expected to leave the bar at 4:30 pm, arriving at the stadium with plenty of time to tailgate.
SIGN UP FOR FREE BUS RIDE FROM THE CELTIC TAVERN
Class VI and the Pid Army inform us that they will also be having their 3rd Annual Homebrew competition, cleverly called Pitch to Pint, during this tailgate. Fans of age will have a chance to sample Colorado-brewed beers and vote for a winner. All fans are welcome to join the 'No Fan Alone' tailgate, though $5 donations are happily appreciated to help pay for costs.
About 20-30 minutes after the game, the busses will return to the Celtic, where it's likely the festivities will continue. Often times, the Rapids Man of the Match also makes an appearance at this post-game party (as do some staff and other players).
Special Olympics Colorado has made all the difference in Conor's life. When he joined Special Olympics Colorado basketball in 2002, he had a group of friends for the first time in his life. By rotating through the various sports offered by Special Olympics (over several years) he found his 'place' on the tennis court. He was fortunate to represent Colorado at the Special Olympic National Games in Tennis, 2010.
The present opportunity with the Rapids and Kroenke Sports to play soccer and travel has meant so much to Conor and to us as a family. It has been a positive and affirming experience in every way. He feels respected and important by these organizations.
All of this would not be possible without Special Olympics Colorado. Thank you for giving these kids the chance to shine.
Special Olympics Colorado has given Mackenzie so many opportunities to express herself and grow as a person. We have always tried to promote Mackenzie’s independence so that she is as ready as she can be when she graduates from high school. The rapids experience fit very nicely into that plan and actually speeded things up. The Seattle trip gave her confidence in her abilities and allowed her to take on the opportunities she has for leadership. Mackenzie wants to go on a school trip to Italy next year and this trip to Seattle has given us confidence that she will be ready. Not only do we have confidence, but most importantly she believes she can do it. Mackenzie is ready to prove herself and take the opportunities that are in front of her. The Colorado Rapids players have given her a sense of family and belonging. These team members have given her the strength to stand up for herself and feel important. These experiences are priceless and I hope more people begin to realize the importance of unity and the impact it can have on society and the way we live each day.