The Colorado Rapids will have a slightly different pre-season schedule than most clubs around MLS. Rather than just playing other MLS teams, they will also be traveling to London, England! The Rapids will be in England from March 7-14, 2010. They will be facing off against several soon to be announced English clubs.
The Colorado Rapids will also host the first ever Charity Shield Match against the Seattle Sounders on Friday, March 19th. Details of the Charity-Shield Match are detailed on the Colorado Rapids Website and it states the following:
“A change from the club’s traditional preseason “Burgundy & Blue Game” will see the Rapids create this new charitable match that will be hosted by the Rapids Community Care Foundation.
Proceeds from the match this year will be donated to UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) to aid relief efforts in Haiti.
The model for the Rapids Charity Shield is based on the Charity or Community Shield games in England, where they are a long standing tradition, annually having the champions of the FA Premier League face the winners of the FA Cup with all proceeds going to charity.
The Colorado Rapids 2010 Charity Shield will be the first of its kind in the history of Major League Soccer.”
For more Information about the Charity Shield Match, Check the Website Here
Full Colorado Rapids 2010 Pre-Season Training Schedule:
January 25 – February 20
Training at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
February 21 – February 27
Training at Casa Grande Performance Institute in Arizona. During this time, they will play several exhibition matches against other MLS teams. Teams will be announced later.
February 28 – March 6
Training back at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
March 7 – March 14
Training at Arsenal Training Centre in England. This will be the third time in the last four years that the Rapids will be hosted by their partner club, Arsenal FC. Colorado Rapids and Arsenal have been in a partnership since 2007. This will also include several exhibition matches against teams that will be announced at a later date.
March 15 – March 18
Training again at Dick’s Sporting Good Park
March 19 – Inaugural Charity Shield Match
Colorado Rapids vs. Seattle Sounders FC
March 20 – March 25
Training again at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
March 26th – Season Opener
Colorado Rapids at Chivas USA
April 3rd – Home Opener
Colorado Rapids vs. Chicago Fire
The Rapids face a tough home opener, but this could be the season that defines them as a team in the MLS. They came very close last year but missed playoff qualification.
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