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Weekly Update: Rapids Open Preseason Competition against Portland

January 28, 2013 - Major League Soccer (MLS) - Colorado Rapids News Release


RAPIDS FACE PORTLAND TIMBERS ON TUESDAY FOR FIRST ACTION OF 2013: The Colorado Rapids arrived in Tucson, Ariz., yesterday and began training today, preparing for their first completion of the 2013 season as they face the Portland Timbers tomorrow (Tuesday) at 11 a.m. MT. Two days later, Colorado will take on the Houston Dynamo on Thursday at 6 p.m. MT, followed by the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday at 11 a.m. All three matches are part of The Desert Friendlies presented by FC Tucson, and will take place at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson. For complete coverage, including live streams of the matches, visit www.ColoradoRapids.com.

CHARLES ELOUNDOU JOINS RAPIDS FROM MLS LOTTERY; NICK LABROCCA RETURNS TO COLORADO: The Colorado Rapids Technical Staff continues to build the roster for the 2013 and have added two new players. Last Friday, the Rapids acquired 18-year-old Cameroonian National Team forward Charles Eloundou via a special lottery. Hours later, the Rapids also announced the return of Nick LaBrocca, a midfielder who originally signed with the Rapids in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft. Additionally, two of Colorado's four Supplemental Draft picks, Brenton Griffiths and Marcello Castro, joined the team for training in Tucson, as well as Honduran trialist Walter 'Pery' Martinez. Follow www.ColoradoRapids.com for the latest news on preseason and roster moves.

RAPIDS ON "INSIDE THE SUPERDRAFT": The Colorado Rapids have been featured in this year's edition of "Inside the SuperDraft," a behind-the-scenes look at the Rapids' evaluation process throughout MLS Combine leading up to the 2013 SuperDraft. So far, three episodes have aired, showcasing the Rapids technical staff at MLS Player Combine in Ft. Lauderdale and meeting with draft prospects, with more episodes to come, culminating with the Rapids selecting Deshorn Brown (6th overall), Dillon Powers (11th) and Kory Kindle (25th), at the SuperDraft in Indianapolis on January 17. For more information on the three players visit www.ColoradoRapids.com.

USA TO FACE COSTA RICA IN WORLD CUP QUALIFIER AT DICK'S SPORTING GOODS PARK ON MARCH 22: On March 22, Dick's Sporting Goods Park, home of the Colorado Rapids, will play host to the United States Men's National Team as they play their first home World Cup Qualifier for the 2014 FIFA World Cup against Costa Rica. The match is set for 8 p.m. MT, with ticket information to be announced in the near future. "We are really excited to play our first home qualifying match at Dick's Sporting Goods Park," said U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann. "Winning games at home in World Cup Qualifying is crucial, and we really are expecting the fans in Colorado to bring us a huge home-field advantage."

PRESEASON MATCHES KICK OFF THIS WEEK IN TUCSON: The Rapids have already scheduled five pre-season matches in January and February, participating in the The Desert Friendlies presented by FC Tucson and the Las Vegas ProSoccer Challenge. The team is still expected to add preseason matches in the coming weeks as the Rapids prepare for their season opener on March 2 at FC Dallas.

COLORADO RAPIDS - PRESEASON MATCHES 2013

DAY DATE OPPONENT (LOCATION) RESULT/TIME

Tue Jan 29 Portland Timbers (Tucson, AZ)# 11:00 a.m. MT

Thu Jan 31 Houston Dynamo (Tucson, AZ)# 6:00 p.m. MT

Sat Feb 2 San Jose Earthquakes (Tucson, AZ)# 11:00 a.m. MT

Thu Feb 14 UNLV (Las Vegas, NV) 7:00 p.m. MT (6:00 PT)

Fri Feb 15 Chivas USA (Las Vegas, NV)& 8:30 p.m. MT (7:30 PT)

#Desert Friendlies presented by FC Tucson

&2013 Las Vegas ProSoccer Challenge

SEASON TICKETS AND 5-GAME PACKS AVAILABLE AS RAPIDS OPEN HOME SCHEDULE ON MARCH 9: The Rapids kick off the 2013 regular season on March 2 at FC Dallas before the home opener on Saturday, March 9 against the Philadelphia Union. The full season schedule is now available online, and fans are able to purchase season tickets or a special adidas 5-Game Pack at this time, while single game tickets will go on sale in February.


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