Rapids Fans,
It has been 97 days since our wild, wonderful, and record-breaking 2016 season came to an end. There were so many magical memories conjured up during last season, which has made the wait for the new season all the more tough.
But today the wait is over, and we can begin to dream again, as the 2017 season opens with a home game against New England Revolution (TICKETS), presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods.
As this is the first game of the season, I would like to officially welcome to the club offseason acquisitions Alan Gordon and Bismark ‘Nana’ Adjei-Boateng, as well as the Homegrown signings, Kortne Ford and Ricardo Perez.
The core group which gave us so much to smile about in 2016 are back for the new campaign, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. They will again be led by Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni, along with Steve Cooke, Chris Sharpe, Miguel Motolongo, and new Assistant Coach, Conor Casey. Conor remains the club’s all-time leading scorer, with 50 goals in 119 regular season appearances. He also scored the equalizing goal in the MLS Cup win over FC Dallas in 2010. Welcome to Conor, and all of our new players.
We had a superb night on Wednesday at the Jersey Launch and Season Kickoff Party, presented by Transamerica. It was amazing to see players and fans mingling, and to be able to get a real sense of eager anticipation for the new season. Thank you to all who came along to City Hall. Thanks, also, to the players, coaches and Transamerica.
And so it begins, our Home Opener and season opener, against New England Revolution of the Eastern Conference.
Welcome back to our 2017 Season Ticket Members. We are thrilled to see you this weekend and at every home game this season. If you have not yet picked up your season ticket packets, which include your badges and parking pass, please visit the Customer Service table at Burgundy Boulevard to pick it up before today's game.
Our great friends at Odell Brewing Co. are offering a fabulous package for this afternoon’s game, which includes a south endline ticket, a 90 Shilling beer, and a co-branded Rapids t-shirt (pictured right), starting at just $34. Click
HERE
for details.
As always, Burgundy Boulevard is the place to be before kickoff. Along with Eighteen76, and the Beer Garden located outside Gate F, Burgundy Boulevard opens at 2:00 p.m. There will be $3 Bud and Bud Lights, food from Biker Jim’s Food Truck, yard games, live music and more, as well as the Soccerfest Family Zone.
Live music arrives in the form of Denver band, Lola Rising, as part of the Bud Burgundy Concert Series. They will be on stage from 3.00 p.m. with a FREE concert.
New for the 2017 season, the club will be launching The Rapids Poster Series. For select games throughout the campaign, and starting with today’s Home Opener, the Rapids will release a limited number of commemorative match posters. Each poster will feature a local artist’s design for a unique poster that will be available to purchase at the stadium on game day only. All proceeds from the Rapids Poster Series will benefit KSE Charities.
A long season stretches out in front of us - 34 games, over 233 days - and one which we hope will bring us greater success and provide more wonderful memories.
Thanks for your support. Enjoy the game, and we look forward to welcoming you back here again on March 18 when we tackle one of the new faces for 2017, Minnesota United FC (TICKETS).
Come on you Rapids!
Tim Hinchey
President
