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Goalkeeper Matt Pickens was chosen to represent the Colorado Rapids on the downloadable MLS covers of EA Sports FIFA 13 video game, which was released today. Matt is one of four MLS goalkeepers featured on such covers, along with Chivas USA's Dan Kennedy, Chicago's Sean Johnson, and Sporting KC's Jimmy Nielsen.
The official FIFA 13 launch party happened in New York City on Monday evening at an event that featured Snoop Dogg...err, Snoop Lion, right? Snoop explains here how he became a fan of our beautiful game.
Any fan watching this season seen can attest to what a great year Pickens is having. He's set one milestone after another, and today he gets some much deserved recognition along with the likes of MLS stars Landon Donovan, Dwayne De Rosario, Brek Shea, Freddy Montero, Kyle Beckerman, Tim Cahill and other players who are also featured on the downloadable covers.
Fan can download covers for any of the featured players from Major League Soccer's official Facebook page (CLICK HERE).
To download:
1. Click on the cover photo you prefer. 2. Click "Options" at the bottom of the photo viewer 3. Click "Download" 4. Save to hard drive 5. Print 6. Enjoy!
Here's a few examples of the player celebrations you'll see on the new game:
On September 8, Kroenke Sports Charities hosted an equipment drive to benefit non-profit A Precious Child in honor of Aurora shooting victim Jessica Ghawi, who once interned for one of our sister properties. The response from the community was awesome, collecting over 25,000 items and $30,000 for the Jessica Redfield Ghawi Sports Journalism Scholarship. NBC national recognized the efforts in this clip below.
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Plenty of media and fans have had their say on the U.S. Women's National Team's 6-2 win over Australia Wednesday night at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Well, the players also shared their thoughts through twitter:
Last night, Denver rocked it! Sold out crowd+big W for Pia's last game, couldn't have been better #USWNT
— Alex Morgan (@alexmorgan13) September 20, 2012
Wish #Pia the best. She made us love the game even more. Thanks for sharing tonight with us Denver! One to remember. #thankspia #USWNT
— Heather Mitts (@heathermitts) September 20, 2012
And thank you Denver fans. What an awesome atmosphere for Pia's send off!
— Rachel Buehler (@Rachel_Buehler) September 20, 2012
Waking up before the sun comes up is not my definition of a good time. On the other hand, last night definitely was. See you in Chicago! ✌
— Sydney Leroux (@sydneyleroux) September 20, 2012
And thank you Denver fans! Great atmosphere.
— Carli Lloyd (@CarliLloyd) September 20, 2012
Thank you #Pia! #youwillbemissed
— Carli Lloyd (@CarliLloyd) September 20, 2012
Thanks so much LA & Denver! Incredible fan support and amazing atmosphere!
— Christie Rampone (@christierampone) September 20, 2012
denver is sweeet. with an extra e.
— Tobin Heath (@TobinHeath) September 19, 2012
What a night. Stoked to score in my last game is an understatement. Other than the score line it was a perfect finish for me. Leaving happy
— Sarah Walsh (@swalshy9) September 20, 2012
Pia Sundhage coached for the U.S. WNT to two Olympic gold medals and a second-place finish at the World Cup in her five years at the helm. However, on Wednesday night at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Pia coached her last game for the U.S. She will return to her native Sweden to head that Women's team starting in December.
Players on the team have shared their sadness in losing their coach, but also excitement and gratitude for Pia's contributions.
In the locker room hall way prior to the game, Colorado Rapids President Tim Hinchey gave Pia a crystal vase as a gift on behalf of the club. The attached card read as follows:
Pia:
For the last five years, the United States Women’s National Team that you coached has impressed and inspired us with their skill, tenacity, style of play, and dedication. It has been a joy to be a fan of your teams, and everyone here at the Colorado Rapids and Dick’s Sporting Goods Park is honored to be a part of your final match at the helm of the USA Women. Thank you for all your hard work, and we wish you the very best of luck!
Sincerely,
Tim Hinchey
President, Colorado Rapids
On behalf of the Colorado Rapids and Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
Ever seen that show Storage Wars on A&E? It's about modern-day treasure hunters who bid on abandoned storage units without knowing their contents.
Enter Colorado Rapids forward Tony Cascio. He's a big fan of the show, so much so that he decided to buy a storage unit of his own and is spending his Friday and Saturday off selling its contents in a yard sale.
"I basically love buying and selling things and my favorite TV shows right now are Pawn Stars and Storage Wars. So I figured I would buy a storage unit and have a yard sale," said Cascio.
The unit that he ousted other bidders for, he says, is approximately 8 feet wide, 8 feet high, by 30 feet long.
"In Storage Wars you kind of know what you're getting and you kind of dont', so it's sort of an adrenaline rush."
Cascio says in his unit he's found a bunch of framed baseball cards, golf clubs, some DVD players and other electronics, dressers, and other random items. Although he won't know until the end of the day tomorrow how much it was all worth.
"There's so much stuff here it's unreal. Some people just look and leave. Others ask for antiques and a couple actually buy things. So we'll see how it goes."
If you're interested in checking out Cascio's loot, you can find him on S. Lincoln St, between E. Virginia Ave and E. Dakota Ave. He says he'll be there until around 3 p.m. today, and will be at it again early tomorrow.
Last night I had a chance to not only see an Olympic gold and bronze medal in person for the first time, but to also touch one and feels its weight. Janay DeLoach, who won the bronze medal in London in the long jump, allowed me to hold her medal - and then even took a photo of me with it. In those few second I tried to envision what it must have been like to not only compete among the most elite athletes in the world, but to also have a medal hanging from your neck. It was pretty cool!
The Rapids hosted seven Colorado athletes that competed at the 2012 London Olympics on Wednesday night during the match against Portland. And while we applauded loudly as their names were announced and they waived to the crowd, it was also neat to see how appreciative they were at being recognized and honored by fans from a different sport. One Olympian even came with a Denver Bronco player. Here are some tweets from the Olympians in attendance:
With my best friends and my new jersey at the Colorado Rapids game!! instagr.am/p/PNukSBQyap/
— Missy Franklin (@FranklinMissy) September 6, 2012
Headed to the Colorado Rapids vs Portland Timbers match to be an honored Olympian for the "Colorado Heroes Night" at half time! #SoAmped
— Janay DeLoach (@JanayDeLoach) September 5, 2012
Red, white n blue-in it at the Colorado Rapids game w @franklinmissy n @janaydeloach #usaalltheway instagr.am/p/POMHZ7Ef8Z/
— Kelsey Campbell (@worldchanger55) September 6, 2012
Colorado's own 2012 BMX Olympian @zhermanator... Also dabbled in wrestling #waybackwhen? instagr.am/p/POM0oOkf8u/
— Kelsey Campbell (@worldchanger55) September 6, 2012
Had a lot of fun at the game tonight. Thanks @coloradorapids! twitter.com/zHermanator/st…
— David Herman (@zHermanator) September 6, 2012
Looking forward to the @coloradorapids game tonight. Excited to be apart of the @colorado Heroes celebration tonight. #GoRapids
— David Herman (@zHermanator) September 5, 2012
On the field for the hometown heroes ceremony at the @coloradorapids game, thanks for a fun night!
— Corey Cogdell (@CoreyCogdell) September 6, 2012
Headed to the @coloradorapids game tonight with @mitchelljunrein If you are in the stands look for me on the field during the half time show
— Corey Cogdell (@CoreyCogdell) September 6, 2012
.@olympicctrlife Got to be honored at a #Rapids game with fellow #CSOTC #Olympians @worldchanger55 & @coreycogdell twitter.com/DennisBowsher/…
— Dennis Bowsher (@DennisBowsher) September 6, 2012
...and the @coloradorapids gave me a sweet Jersey. Thanks to the staff for having us. twitter.com/DennisBowsher/…
— Dennis Bowsher (@DennisBowsher) September 6, 2012
Every few months the community relations department organizes an 'signing' day, where they collect each department's need's for autographs and set them out for the players to autograph.
The most common use for all the autographed gear is for donations, which we get a lot of, especially for functions where they are used as fundraising items.
The remainder is often used for gifts, sometimes for partners and / or sponsors, and sometimes for prizes or giveaways at various club functions.
That's Andre Akpan in the distance in the hallway right outside the locker room. He was one of the first to tackle the 300-400 items after today's practice. The rest of the guys then slowly tickled out, each individually signing each piece.
After finishing his drills at Wednesday's training, which took place inside the stadium, Drew Moor went up to the locker room. A few minutes later he walked back out and approached three fans that were watching the session from the first row. Holding a match ball under his right arm, Drew told these fans how the players had come across this autographed ball sitting in Wells Thompson's locker. Collectively, they wanted to give it to Allan.
Joan, Mark, and Allan are season ticket holders that have been to every open practice so far this season. The only sessions they have not attended are the ones on the day before home games, which are closed to the public. They have become such a staple at training that the players even know their birthdays.
So, having given Joan and Mark a jersey and ball earlier this summer, Drew today presented Allan his birthday gift on behalf of the team!
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.
(L-R: Judo Olympic team manager Chris Skelly, Marti Malloy, Kyle Vashkulat, Kayla Harrison, Travis Stevens, Judo Olympic Coach Jimmy Pedro)
The 2012 London Summer Olympics got underway this week with men and women's soccer. The 'official' Opening Ceremonies take place on Friday.
The athletes have been preparing for years, and we recently received word the the U.S. Judo team has been preparing for Gold, in Burgundy.
Colorado Rapids chiropracter Dr. Joseph Arvay and Maximize Living are also the chiropractors of the judo team (as well as many other teams). Dr. Avay shared these photos of the judo team donning our gear while they prepared for the Games in Colorado Springs.
Kayla Harrison (above left) is currently among the top five in the world at the 78-kilo division and consider a medal contender when she begins her first Olympics on August 2. Travis Stevens (above right), also ranked in the top 10, begins his quest on July 31 in the 81 kg division. Marti Malloy will compete at the 57 kg and Kyle Vashkula at 100 kg. The other team member not pictured is Nick Delpopolo, who will challenge at 73 kg.
From everyone at the Colorado Rapids, Good Luck in London!
(Below: Skelly, Dr. Arvay, Pedro)
