The Colorado Rapids announced today details of the club's inaugural "Charity Shield" match, which will take place on Friday, March 19 at 7 p.m. MT at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.
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 upon 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.
The Rapids 2010 Charity Shield will also help kick off the club's 2010 season and generate excitement as the Rapids approach their regular season opener on the road against Chivas USA on Sunday, March 28 at The Home Depot Center. Tickets for the Rapids Charity Shield Match are priced at $10 for general admission, $15 for club seats and $20 for fieldside seats and will be distributed exclusively through Flash Seats, the team's new paperless method of ticket delivery. This event will mark the debut of the Flash Seats technology at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.
Rapids Season Ticket Holders will be provided one free ticket per seat on their account for the match, which they will be able to access through the Flash Seats system.
About the Colorado Rapids Community Care Foundation
The Colorado Rapids Community Care Foundation is the official charity of the Colorado Rapids. Established in July of 1998, the Rapids Foundation was incorporated as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and since its inception has served as the #1 resource for Colorado's soccer community in terms of charitable grants, while also supporting underserved youth by providing assistance for field building and educational, nutritional and recreational programs over the years. The Colorado Rapids Community Care Foundation builds strong, healthy kids. Its goals are to eliminate child hunger and provide positive youth development opportunities in underserved communities.
