On this day: Colorado Rapids debut at Dick's Sporting Goods Park

Jermaine Jones - 2013 USA - SnowClasico

On April 7, 2007, the Colorado Rapids christened Dick's Sporting Goods Park. 


The team's new stadium watched as the Rapids hosted D.C. United and the crowd saw their home team heroes emerge victorious with a 2-1 win, as USMNT forward Herculez Gomez scored the stadium's first-ever goal. 


Current D.C. United head coach Ben Olsen, current Toronto FC boss Greg Vanney and former New York Red Bulls and Real Salt Lake manager Mike Petke all started that day. So too did Kyle Beckerman, who remains in MLS today.

The anniversary reminds us of some of the stadium's fond memories so far. 


Later in 2007 after it opened, it hosted the MLS All-Star Game as the All-Stars beat Scottish powerhouse Celtic. In 2010, the Rapids hosted their first playoff game at their new home, a win over Columbus Crew SC. The Rapids took home MLS Cup that year.


Dick's Sporting Goods Park has been a regular home for both the United States men's and women's national teams.


Perhaps the venue's most memorable event was SnowClasico, between the USMNT and Costa Rica in a snowstorm. The Americans earned a big 2014 World Cup Qualifying victory that day, a 1-0 win as Clint Dempsey scored the lone goal.