Major League Soccer and the Colorado Rapids released their 2008 regular season schedule today. The Rapids, a charter member of MLS, will kick off their 13th season hosting the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday, March 29 at 7:30 p.m. MT at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.
This marks the second year in a row that the Rapids have opened the season with a home contest. Last year, Colorado opened Dick's Sporting Goods Park with a 2-1 victory over DC United.
Fox Soccer Channel and high definition television pioneer HDNet will broadcast the Rapids-Galaxy match. Along with its pre- and post-game shows and the New England Revolution versus Houston Dynamo game, this edition of MLS Saturday on FSC will provide fans an unprecedented five-hour fix of their domestic league.
Each of the 14 MLS clubs will play 30 regular season games over 31 weeks, for a total of 210 matches from March 29 - Oct. 26. Each team will play each other twice (home and away), for 26 games. The remaining four games will be played against different intra-conference teams (two home and two away), with consideration given to rivalries.
Every MLS regular season game will be televised, either through national or regional broadcasts and MLSnet.com. The Rapids local television schedule will be released soon. Rapids fans will also be able to follow the club on their Spanish radio broadcast 1150-AM La Buena Onda.
Additional 2008 schedule highlights include:
The MLS's newest expansion team, the San Jose Earthquakes, come to Colorado on April 19.
The Rapids will be showcased on ESPN2 as part of MLS Primetime Thursday two times during the season when they host Real Salt Lake on May 15 and on September 4 against FC Dallas.
Back-to-back MLS champions the Houston Dynamo visit Dick's Sporting Goods Park twice, June 21 and October 4.
Colorado's biggest and best fireworks show will be back for a 13th edition when the Rapids host the New York Red Bulls on July 4th.
A tough stretch of six road games in eight weeks from July 12 to September 4, capped by a three-game road swing.
A season finale clash with Rocky Mountain Cup rivals Real Salt Lake on October 25.
Single game tickets for the 2008 season will go on sale Saturday, February 23 at 10:00 a.m. Tickets will be available for purchase at the Dick's Sporting Goods Park Box Office, via phone by calling 1-866-461-6556, or online at ColoradoRapids.com. Single game tickets start at just $12 for all Rapids home games. Information on all ticket prices and single game promotions can be found on the team's website.
Season ticket packages are on sale now and are highlighted by the Rapids Six Pack, which features the home opener versus the Los Angeles Galaxy as well as games against last season's MLS Cup Finalists Houston and New England. The Rapids Six Pack also includes a free ski lift ticket to Winter Park/Copper Mountain and starts at just $129. Call 303-825-GOAL for more information on all available season ticket packages.
2008 COLORADO RAPIDS REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE
All times are mountain and subject to change.
SAT, MARCH 29 LOS ANGELES 7:30 PM Fox Soccer Channel & HDNet
Sat, April 5 at Kansas City 6:00 pm
Sat, April 12 at New England 5:30 pm
SAT, APRIL 19 SAN JOSE 7:30 PM Fox Soccer Channel
Sat, April 26 at Chicago 6:30 pm HDNet
SUN, MAY 4 DC UNITED 1:00 PM TeleFutura
Sat, May 10 at Houston 6:30 pm Fox Soccer Channel
THUR, MAY 15 REAL SALT LAKE 7:30 PM ESPN2
SAT, MAY 24 CHIVAS USA 7:30 PM
SUN, JUNE 1 FC DALLAS 1:00 PM TeleFutura
Sat, June 7 at Los Angeles 8:30 pm
SAT, JUNE 14 TORONTO FC 7:30 PM
SAT, JUNE 21 HOUSTON 7:30 PM HDNet
Sat, June 28 at Columbus 5:30 pm Fox Soccer Channel
FRI, JULY 4 NEW YORK 7:30 PM
Sat, July 12 at San Jose 2:00 pm
Sat, July 19 at FC Dallas 6:30 pm
SUN, JULY 27 COLUMBUS 7:30 PM
Sat, August 9 at Toronto FC 1:30 pm
SAT, AUGUST 16 KANSAS CITY 7:30 PM
Sat, August 23 at DC United 5:30 pm
Fri, August 29 at Real Salt Lake 7:00 pm
Thurs, September 4 at FC Dallas 6:30 pm ESPN2
SUN, SEPTEMBER 14 CHICAGO 1:00 PM Telefutura
SAT, SEPTEMBER 20 NEW ENGLAND 7:00 PM
Sat, September 27 at New York 5:30 pm
SAT, OCTOBER 4 HOUSTON 7:30 PM
Sun, October 12 at Los Angeles 6:00 pm
Sun, October 19 at Chivas USA 1:00 pm Telefutura
SAT, OCTOBER 25 REAL SALT LAKE 7:30 PM HDNet
