In 1996, a group of strangers arrived in Denver with their cleats and a common goal: to build professional soccer in America from the pitch up. Two years earlier, the United States had hosted the FIFA World Cup, igniting a national fervor for the sport. That energy helped birth Major League Soccer, with the Colorado Rapids as one of its 10 founding clubs. Players from around the globe converged on what was then Mile High Stadium (where the Rapids played until the 2007 debut of Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City).

Thirty years later, the team has drawn stars, hoisted the 2010 MLS Cup, and earned a devoted local following. Ahead of the Rapids’ return to Empower Field at Mile High on April 18 for a special anniversary match against Inter Miami CF, we spoke with players from that first season about the mayhem and mirth that helped bring the world’s most popular sport to America.

Colorado Rapids History: The First MLS Season in Denver

“We literally went to a liquor store [on Federal Boulevard] in rush-hour traffic. We were outside with a table with banners, and we were waving Rapids flags. People would roll down their windows and ask ‘Who are the Rapids?’ as they’re stuck in traffic.” —Marcelo Balboa, center back, 1996–2002

“For the July 4 game, we had a massive crowd. We played the [New York/New Jersey] MetroStars, and it was like, Wow, to be able to play in front of over 20,000 people. The lower bowl was packed and loud.” —Denis Hamlett, defender, 1996

“We trained in the Westminster rec center. I remember the first month we were there, we would walk down the hill from the rec center. It was pretty much an open park…. There’d be people coming from the street to work out, and they [would] look at us like, ‘Are you guys a college team?’ ” —Chris Henderson, midfielder, 1996–1999 and 2002–2005

“After the first few games, we started realizing that people were staying after [for autographs]. Almost every game, I would walk off the field without a shirt and without my socks. Kids wanted socks.” —Balboa

“Being a guy who played on the national team and played in the two World Cups leading up to the league—we were always hoping and praying that we were finally going to be able to get a league in the United States…. So when we all got to the stadium and saw [so many] people there, we were like, ‘OK, we got something here.’ ” —Balboa

“We had a mascot called RapidMan [who would go] on all these appearances with us. His costume was like water inside a river. I remember him high-fiving the fans and taking photos with the players.” —Henderson

Tickets for the Colorado Rapids match at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, at Empower Field at Mile High start at $100.

DENVER — Colorado Avalanche and Denver Nuggets fans packed Stoney’s Bar and Grill on Lincoln to celebrate a pair of thrilling victories on Saturday.

The venue hosted the official Avalanche watch party as the team shut out the Dallas Stars 2-0.

“Just a great win, great time,” fan Jeff Devries said.

Denver7 was there as the team scored an empty-net goal to seal the victory alongside the team mascot, Bernie.

“When they’re on the road, they make it feel like you’re literally in the arena,” said Cooper Barrash. “Goal horn, announcements, all of it.”

Fans celebrated the win that will likely be a playoff preview.

“When you come to a bar like this, it’s awesome,” fan Dan Sikes said.

► Watch Denver7’s Claire Lavezzorio’s report in the player below:

Denver fans celebrate sports-filled Saturday at Stoney’s with pair of thrilling victories

After the excitement of the Avalanche victory, attention at Stoney’s quickly turned to the Denver Nuggets and their matchup against the San Antonio Spurs as fans kept their eyes glued to the televisions.

The Nuggets found a way to pull off an epic overtime win.

“It’s palpable. You can feel it,” Nuggets fan Miriam Hertzler said.

Jacob Curtis, Denver7 Photojournalist

For fans like Hertzler, Saturday showcased what makes the city special.

“It’s so nice to be a part of a community that loves their sports,” Hertzler said. “And that’s what I love about Denver.”

Denver7 | Your Voice: Get in touch with Claire Lavezzorio

Denver7’s Claire Lavezzorio covers topics that have an impact across Colorado, but specializes in reporting on stories in the military and veteran communities. If you’d like to get in touch with Claire, fill out the form below to send her an email.

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One does not simply walk into Spokane and beat the Seattle Reign.

In fact, opponents had yet to take a point at One Spokane Stadium before the Denver Summit battled to a 0-0 draw on Saturday night.

▶️ Watch the latest episode of Denver Summit FC: Pitchside from the Denver7 Sports team in the video player below.

Denver Summit FC: Pitchside | Episode Four: Riding The Mile High Wave

Earning that road point is no small feat in the NWSL, but in a match where Denver once again looked like the brighter side there’s room to be both disappointed and realistic.

“In a crazy way I quite like the fact that we let this one get away,” said Summit FC head coach Nick Cushing after the final whistle. “It gives us the chance to see how we react to that. We should win the game, we know that.”

“[Failing to score] is always frustrating,” said Summit FC defender Megan Reid. “But when teams have good structures, you tip your hat. They made opportunities more difficult, but I don’t think it should have stopped us from putting one in the back of the net.”

While Denver dominated most of the second half, they failed to capitalize on the chances they created. Cushing says learning how to be more lethal in front of net is all part of the learning process for this expansion club.

“I said we’d be an attacking team and we came here and took the majority of the game to Seattle,” said Cushing. “Yea we need to create bigger chances and be more ruthless, I said to the team that if we were in this place in September I think I’d be frustrated. But for us, it’s about going through the process, and I think we gave them the most difficult game they’ve had this season.”

The draw sees Denver sitting on six points through the first five matches of their inaugural season, unbeaten in their last four games and in 9th place in the NWSL table.

A week after playing in front of a league-record 63,004 fans at Empower Field the vibe at One Spokane Stadium was distinctly different.

I’m not saying you could hear a pin drop, but on the Ion broadcast you had no problem hearing Cushing’s shouting tactical advice from the touch line.

The first major chances of the match came at the expense of Denver’s defense – courtesy of Maddie Mercado. Seattle midfielder and English international Jess Fishlock released Mercado in the 10th minute, forcing yet another save from Summit goalkeeper Abby Smith.

“It’s expected from her, [Smith is] unreal,” said Summit FC defender Carson Pickett. “She’s an unbelievable keeper. We know that when it comes down to a couple chances she’s going to have our back. We’re all one unit and we hopefully help each other.”

Smith, who was named to the NWSL Best XI for the month of March, was drawn off her line about a minute later to temper yet another creative run by Mercado.

The momentum shifted in the 18th minute as captain Janine Sonis got involved in the attack and took Denver’s first shot, and a few minutes later forcing Seattle goalkeeper Claudia Dickey to make her first save of the evening.

As the Summit turned up the pressure, the Reign mounted a nearly-lethal counterattack. Emeri Adames broke free at the halfway line, but Smith once again was equal to the task.

Like prizefighters continuing to feel out their opponent, Denver jabbed back courtesy of a curling shot from Melissa Kössler that rattled off the crossbar.

Despite Denver out-shooting Seattle 8-7, along with a late flurry from the likes of Yazmeen Ryan and Tash Flint, we’d hit halftime deadlocked in a 0-0 draw.

The second half opened up with numbers committed forward by the Reign, but the Summit weathered Seattle’s pressure like a mountain in a thunderstorm.

Ryan continued to provide sparks of brilliance on offense – darting runs, decisive movement, and eventually a shot on goal. But in the 60th minute Cushing went to his bench hoping to find a little more punch.

US international winger Ayo Oke and Canadian international midfielder Emma Regan took the field to replace rookies Yuna McCormack and Devin Lynch.

Oke’s impact was immediate and obvious, her pace and precision led to a great chance for Carson Pickett in the middle of the 16-yard box; however, as it was for most of this match, the final product left a bit to be desired.

The Summit continued to impose their will in the 73rd minute as Ryan played a picture-perfect diagonal cross to Sonis, who made a brilliant run to Dickey’s back post. Sonis connected beautifully with a header – which was not a common sight for the Summit through most of this match – but Dickey’s positioning was on point, and Sonis’ shot was driven harmlessly into the Seattle keeper’s chest.

Denver dominated most of the second half, but they were unable to come up with that all important goal. In the end, the Summit will head into the international break on a streak of roughly 200 straight scoreless minutes.

“These are critical points, points on the road,” said Cushing. “What we don’t want to do is look back at these games thinking those were two points dropped that could have got us [to our goal]. We’ll make sure that the team is prepared for when the [players come back from international break].”

The next time we see them in action will be at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on April 25th, when they take on the San Diego Wave.

April 2026

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6:45 PM

@ Seattle Reign

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Sat, Apr 25

6:45 PM

vs. San Diego Wave FC

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1:00 PM

@ Boston Legacy FC

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Sat, May 9

6:00 PM

@ Houston Dash

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vs. Orlando Pride

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4:30 PM

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6:00 PM

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vs. Kansas City Current

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vs. Portland Thorns FC

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Sun, Jul 26

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vs. Boston Legacy FC

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10:30 AM

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2:00 PM

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