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From Concacaf Champions League to the World Cup, Here Are Key Dates for Rapids Fans in 2022 

Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League

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The Colorado Rapids will take on Guatemalan side Comunicaciones FC in the Round of 16 of the CCL, kicking off in February. Colorado is one of four MLS clubs competing in the 2022 edition of the continental tournament and qualified thanks to their first-place finish in the Western Conference in 2021. 

February 17 –– First Leg of Round of 16

The first leg will be hosted in Guatemala on Thursday, at 6:00 PM MT before the Rapids host the second leg at DICK'S Sporting Good Park on Wednesday, February 23 at 6:30 PM MT.

February 23 –– Second Leg of Round of 16

The Rapids will host the second leg at DICK'S Sporting Good Park on Wednesday, February 23 at 6:30 PM MT.

The Round of 16 will be followed by home and away quarterfinal matches in March, Semifinals and first leg final in April and the second leg final in the first week of May.

March: MLS NEXT Pro debuts

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Major League Soccer’s new lower-division professional league, MLS NEXT Pro will complete an integrated player pathway from the MLS NEXT academy competition up to MLS first teams, offering young players and experienced professionals the opportunity to develop and showcase their talents. Twenty-one teams will compete in the inaugural season, each playing a 24-game regular season culminating in an eight-team playoff field capped by a championship final. Full schedules and other details are to be released in the coming weeks.

Lamar Hunt US Open Cup 

This year’s iteration of the prestigious competition is the 107th in history and first one held in three years as the 2020 and 2021 Cups were canceled due to Covid precautions. Colorado is one of eight teams to enter in the Round of 32 in the oldest ongoing national soccer competition in the United States. 

April 22 –– Round of 32 Draw

Colorado will enter the tournament scene in the Round of 32 Draw, along with Nashville SC, New England Revolution, New York City FC, Philadelphia Union, Portland Timbers, Seattle Sounders FC and Sporting Kansas City. 

May 10-11 –– Round of 32 

Competition in the Round of 32 begins. 

A full schedule and layout of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup can be found here.

Regular Season Games 

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With 34 games on the docket for the 2022 regular season, there’s no shortage of opportunities to catch the Burgundy Boys this season, at home and away. 

February 26 –– Season Opener at LAFC

Starting off the 2022 regular season the way we ended 2021 – against Los Angeles FC. 

March 5 –– Home Opener with Atlanta United FC

The Five Stripes will make their way to Colorado for the first time in over two years in 2022 when the Rapids take on Atlanta United FC in their MLS home opener.

April 2, July 9 –– Rocky Mountain Cup

To continue a long-standing rivalry, the Rapids and Real Salt Lake will meet twice in the regular season to decide who will claim the Rocky Mountain Cup. The rivals will face off on April 2 at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park and July 9 at Rio Tinto Stadium to decide who will keep or take back the Cup.

July 4 –– Independence Day Matchup with Austin FC

The Rapids will continue their tradition of July 4th firework-worthy matchups when Austin FC travels to DICK’S Sporting Goods Park in 2022. After going 2-1-0 in the 2021 regular season, Colorado will attempt to continue its advantage over Austin on Independence Day.

Find a full 2022 regular season schedule at www.coloradorapids.com/schedule.

Summer, dates TBA: Leagues Cup

The 2022 rendition of this summer tournament featuring select MLS and Liga MX clubs will feature eight contenders, four from each league, before expanding to include the entirety of both leagues in a dramatically reimagined version in 2023. Club Leon are defending champions and the final will again take place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Aug. 10: 2022 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target

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This year MLS’s midseason exhibition showcase and its many surrounding events take place at Allianz Field, the glittering home of Minnesota United. The opponent is yet to be announced. The 2021 edition marked a new format, the best of MLS vs. their Liga MX counterparts

October/November dates TBA: Audi MLS Cup Playoffs

The final sprint to MLS Cup. Format and schedule to be announced in the months to come.

Nov. 5: 2022 MLS Cup

The league’s new champions will be crowned unless holders NYCFC claim the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy again. The match will be held at the home ground of the finalist with the superior regular season points total; it's also happening a month earlier than the past two editions in order to conclude the campaign in time for the World Cup.

Nov. 21-Dec. 18: 2022 FIFA World Cup

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Thirty-two national teams from across the globe will converge on the small Gulf state for the world’s biggest sporting event, which this year is taking place in autumn rather than its usual June-July timeframe in order to avoid the Middle East’s scorching summer temperatures. The host nation is reportedly spending more than $200 billion to build venues and infrastructure for this tournament, which will take place at eight stadiums in and around Doha.