The Colorado Rapids announced Tuesday their 2008 preseason plans, which are highlighted by three trips to Florida, Mississippi and England.
After two weeks of training at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, the team will get their first taste of training outside of Colorado when they travel to Fort Lauderdale, Florida for 13 days from February 11th-23rd. The Rapids coaching staff will intensify the practices with two-a-day sessions as they continue to evaluate the players currently in camp. The club's Florida excursion will conclude with an exhibition match against Rocky Mountain Cup rivals Real Salt Lake on Friday, February 22.
The Rapids will conduct two practices at Dick's Sporting Goods Park upon returning from Florida before heading back on the road for another 11 days.
For a second consecutive year, the Rapids' preseason plans will include a trip over 4,600 miles away to London, England. The team will be hosted by their partner club and perennial English Premier League contender Arsenal FC. The partnership between the Rapids and Arsenal, which was formed last year, allows the Rapids to practice at Arsenal's facilities and exchange best practices in their club-to-club relationship. The team's England trip will be from February 28 through March 9.
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The trip to England will be followed by 10 days back at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, after which the club will travel out for their last trip of the preseason, this time to Jackson, Mississippi from March 20 to 23. As part of their Southern training sessions, the Rapids will take on the Chicago Fire in an exhibition on Saturday, March 22.
Colorado will conclude their preseason training with a solid week of work back at Dick's Sporting Goods Park before they kick off the regular season on March 29, hosting the Los Angeles Galaxy at 7:30 pm MT.
Complete training schedules when the Rapids are practicing at Dick's Sporting Goods Park will be available at the start of each week or by contacting the Rapids Communications Department.
COLORADO RAPIDS PRESEASON SCHEDULE
February 5 - 9:
Training at Dick's Sporting Goods Park
February 10:
Players Day Off
February 11 - 23:
Training in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
February 24 - 25:
Players Days Off
February 26 - 27:
Training at Dick's Sporting Goods Park
February 28 - March 9:
Training in London, England
March 10 - 11:
Players Days Off
March 12 - 15:
Training at Dick's Sporting Goods Park
March 16:
Player Day Off
March 17 - 19:
Training at Dick's Sporting Goods Park
March 20 - 23:
Training in Jackson, Mississippi
March 24- 28:
Training at Dick's Sporting Goods Park
March 29:
First regular season game vs. Los Angeles Galaxy at Dick's Sporting Goods Park at 7:30 p.m. MT
