Introducing the Colorado Rapids
The forthcoming string of soccer games are expected to take place at multiple venues. Some of these include the Sam Boyd Stadium, Buck Shaw Stadium, Red Bull Arena, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, BC Place Stadium, BMO Field and CenturyLink Field. Formed in 1996, Colorado Rapids is amongst the ten founding clubs of MLS. Established and owned by the Anschutz Corporation, the inaugural season of the soccer club was a slow one. Finishing in the bottom of the Western Conference, the owners realized that the soccer league needed a change of strategy and leadership. With this Bob Houghton was replaced by Glenn Myernick who brought in players like Ross Paule, Wolde Harris, Paul Bravo and Marcus Hahnemann.
In 1997, the Colorado Rapids were able to earn a spot in the postseason playoffs. Advancing to the Major League Soccer final, the team competed for the MLS Cup where it played against DC United. Losing the game with a score of 2-1, they were able to defend their honor by scoring a goal in the 87th minute of the game. This goal was scored by Chris Henderson. Two years later, the Colorado Rapids were seen competing for the US Open Cup. Playing against the Rochester Raging Rhinos, the Colorado based team lost the game with a score of 2-0.
Career & Recent Standing
A year later Colorado Rapids finally started picking pace and the year 2000 became a memorable one for them. With Marcelo Balboa’s scoring his bicycle kick that was named the “Goal of the Year”, the Colorado Rapids won the MLS Cup. Paul Bravo scored the winning goal in the 97th minute of the game.
In 2001 head coach Tim Hankinson replaced Glenn Myernick and the Rapids were seen trading in successful players such as Carlos Valderrama, Mark Chung and Joe Cannon. The following year became a banner season for the team as it was provided with its first home arena, the Invesco Field located at Mile High. During the same season the soccer club signed superstars Kyle Beckerman and Pablo Mastroeni following which the side swept away a majority of the awards at the MLS ceremony. With a change in identity that was brought forth in 2003, a new color scheme was unveiled that presented the colors, blue and black as the official Colorado Rapids’ colors. In 2006, the team relocated to the Dick’s Sporting Goods Park where it won the MLS Reserve League for the second year in a row.
The current season under the leadership of Charlie Wright has introduced several changes to the defense and midfield, adding depth to the strategies. Players that were added to the roster include Jose Burciaga Jr. and Christian Gomez. With these additions, the Colorado Rapids are practicing hard to devour some of the teams challenging them this year.