Partner Clubs
The Colorado Rapids have created club-to-club partnerships with two powerhouses of world soccer, Arsenal FC in England and CF Pachuca in Mexico, and U.S. based partnership with USL-2 side Real Maryland FC.
The Rapids reached out to form these relationships in order to pave the way for international friendlies, player development programs, and joint marketing opportunities that will serve to benefit all involved.
As part of Colorado's partner club relationships, they will plan to make yearly visits to Arsenal's and Pachuca's home grounds for the Rapids' preseason training trips, and will plan to play and host matches vs. their partner clubs during each season.
ARSENAL F.C. (England)On February 9, 2007, the Rapids officially announced a commercial alliance agreement with perennial English Premier League contenders Arsenal Football Club. The establishment of the Arsenal Center of Excellence at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park and the development of the Arsenal Cup, a youth tournament that will be open to American club teams, highlight the alliance, which includes a combination of commercial and marketing efforts, along with an exchange of best practices in the Rapids' first-ever club-to-club relationship. The Rapids will conduct a portion of their preseason training at Arsenal's training ground each year.
Arsenal Football Club was founded in 1886 by workers at the Woolwich Arsenal Armament Factory. The team has played in England’s top division since just after the First World War. In 2003/04 Arsenal won their 13th league title in undefeated fashion and finished 11 points clear of second place Chelsea. The 2006/07 season was the first for the famed club in their brand-new Emirates Stadium.
To read the press release announcing the formation of the partnership, click here.
C.F. PACHUCA (Mexico)The Rapids entered into a club-to-club partnership with Club de Futbol Pachuca on July 31, 2007. The alliance will include a home-and-home annual series between the clubs, an exchange of best practices and the establishment of the "Tuzos Soccer Academy" at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, which was officially launched on Oct. 1, 2007. The two teams will also conduct a portion of their respective preseasons at each others' training grounds.
CF Pachuca, established in 1901, is the oldest club in Mexico, and has recently become one of the most successful. The "Tuzos" have won five Mexican Premier Division titles in the last 10 years, two CONCACAF Champions' Cups – winning the club championship of North and Central America and the Caribbean in 2002 and 2007 – and the Copa Sudamerica in 2006.
To read the press release announcing the formation of the partnership, click here.
The official soccer academy of the Rapids' partner club Pachuca, the Tuzos Academy, runs April-October at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. To learn more about the Tuzos Academy, click here.
REAL MARYLAND FCReal Maryland FC became the third partner club to align with the Rapids on January 29, 2009. The collaborative agreement focuses on the development of young players from both sides in addition to other best practice exchanges between the clubs.
This partnership will allow Real Maryland FC to serve as a developmental training ground for higher-level endeavors and act as a feeder club for talented players to come to the Rapids. Selected Rapids players will also have the opportunity to go and compete with Real Maryland FC. The agreement also includes future exhibition matches between the two clubs, as well as shadowing opportunities for the Real Maryland FC coaching staff in Colorado.
Real Maryland FC participates in the Second Division of the United Soccer Leagues.
To read the press release announcing the formation of the partnership, click here.
