Colorado midfielder Jeff Larentowicz goes against Real Salt Lake last season. The Rocky Mountain Cup between the Rapids and RSL gets two of three games in Colorado in 2013. (The Denver Post)
The Colorado Rapids open their 2013 Major League Soccer season with a road-heavy slate of games in March, including three away matches over the first four games. MLS released the Rapids schedule Wednesday.
Colorado opens its season March 2 at FC Dallas at 6:30 p.m. MT. The Rapids’ home opener follows on March 9 against Philadelphia at 4 p.m. Then two roadies go next: At Salt Lake in the first leg of the Rocky Mountain Cup, March 16; then at Los Angeles against the defending MLS champion Galaxy on March 23 at 8:30 p.m.
The Rapids host RSL on national TV (NBC Sports) on April 6 at 1:30 p.m. in the second leg of the RMC. They also host Real on August 3 at 7 p.m.
Six home games in an eight-game span highlights Colorado’s schedule in July and August, starting with a home date against the New York Red Bulls on July 4 and followed three days later against DC United.
From 2007-09, the Rapids got bumped from qualifying for the MLS playoffs in a regular season-ending loss to Salt Lake.
This season, if the playoffs are on the line late, the Rapids close with a home-and-home against the Whitecaps — in Commerce City on Oct. 27 and at Vancouver on Oct. 27.