The Colorado Rapids and fans celebrated the upcoming start to the 2017 season in style Wednesday night at their Jersey Launch and Season Kickoff Party at City Hall in Denver. In a night of good-natured revelry, fans sang, bought jerseys and enjoyed good music, all while mingling with the players themselves, who were adorned in the new secondary kits, a yellow number that pays homage to the Colorado flag.
Drinks were aplenty, and tending the bar were some familiar faces. Zac MacMath, Richi Perez, Marc Burch and more all took turns behind the bar, serving beer and drinks alike to the Rapids faithful. The night culminated in a fashion show put on by the club to display their new jerseys. Players took turns modeling the new kits and tossing out free jerseys to the lucky few who could snag them.
2017 Jersey Launch & Season Kickoff Party, you have been absolute 🔥#OurFlagOurKit pic.twitter.com/KYBbkyXzbG
— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) March 2, 2017
However, the night was about the upcoming season and players, while celebrating, had the upcoming season opener against the New England Revolution on Saturday at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in the back of their minds. Zac MacMath took the time to explain how the Rapids could replicate their supremely successful season this year.
“We need to do much of the same,” MacMath said. “Good defending, winning at home, getting a couple more road wins and scoring a couple more goals. Then we’ll be at the top again.”
The Rapids brought in a couple of players that could help the team score a couple more goals next year. Namely, Alan Gordon and Nana Boateng.
“You’ve got someone with experience like Alan Gordon who can come in late in games and make a difference. And then you’ve got a guy like Nana who’s new to the league, who will take time to get used to the league, but brings a lot of athletic ability and good experience for his young age,” MacMath said.
MacMath is spot on. If the Rapids can closely resemble the defensive force they were in 2016 and add more offense, they will be dangerous. This is a team that made the Western Conference Finals in 2016 while obviously lacking an offensive spark outside of Shkëlzen Gashi and Kevin Doyle.
Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni and his team begin the season on Saturday against the Revolution at 4 p.m. at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.