Major League Soccer’s 2020 schedule dropped today and there’s a lot to like if you’re a Rapids supporter.
Three of Colorado’s opening four matches of the season are against opponents that failed to make the playoffs in 2019. The fourth – D.C. United – never hosted a home match and were dispatched by Toronto F.C. in the first round. That’s a stark contrast to Colorado’s start in 2019, where the squad was forced to face four 2018 playoff sides to open the season.
Another difference in Colorado’s slate of 2020 matches comes as a result of league-wide scheduling format changes. For the first time in MLS history, the Rapids won’t get a chance to play every opponent in league play. While the 2020 Rapids are one of the lucky sides that will avoid facing Eastern Conference behemoths Atlanta United, the club will also miss out on matches against 2019’s punching bag F.C. Cincinnati and expansion side Inter Miami C.F.
As far as home matches are concerned, the Rapids will play consistently at either 7:00 PM or 8:00 PM Local Time (2019 notably featured two home matches held in the mid-afternoon). Additionally, the number of weekday home matches for the Rapids has been cut in half from 2019’s tally of four – likely due to the annual Fourth of July spectacular falling on a Saturday in 2020.
To close the season, Colorado has a slate of what will likely be very difficult matches. After challenging expansion side Nashville S.C., the Rapids will be faced with a gauntlet of the Galaxy on the road, the 2019 Championship-winning Seattle Sounders at home, and Matías Almeyda’s resurgent San Jose Earthquakes in California. Suffice to say, Colorado will have a rough time sneaking into the postseason if they fail to clinch a spot before the final month of matches.
If you’d like to read the full 2020 schedule for the Colorado Rapids, visit the club’s website or read on below:
February
02/29 – 11:00 AM MT – @ D.C. United
March
03/07 – 07:00 PM MT – Orlando City
03/14 – 05:00 PM MT – @ Vancouver Whitecaps F.C.
03/07 – 07:00 PM MT – Houston Dynamo
April
04/04 – 05:30 PM MT – @ New England Revolution
04/11 – 07:00 PM MT – @ Real Salt Lake
04/15 – 07:00 PM MT – San Jose Earthquakes
04/18 – 06:30 PM MT – @ Sporting K.C.
04/25 – 07:00 PM MT – F.C. Dallas
May
05/02 – 06:00 PM MT – @ Minnesota United
05/06 – 07:00 PM MT – Los Angeles Galaxy
05/09 – 08:00 PM MT – @ Seattle Sounders F.C.
05/16 – 05:00 PM MT – @ New York City F.C.
05/23 – 07:00 PM MT – Philadelphia Union
05/31 – 11:00 AM MT – @ Impact Montreal F.C.
June
06/13 – 07:00 PM MT – Los Angeles F.C.
06/17 – 08:30 PM MT – @ Portland Timbers F.C.
06/20 – 07:00 PM MT – Toronto F.C.
06/27 – 06:30 PM MT – @ Houston Dynamo
July
07/04 – 08:00 PM MT – New York Red Bulls
07/08 – 08:30 PM MT – @ Los Angeles F.C.
07/11 – 07:00 PM MT – Portland Timbers F.C.
07/18 – 07:00 PM MT – Chicago Fire F.C.
07/25 – 05:30 PM MT – @ Columbus Crew S.C.
August
08/01 – 08:00 PM MT – Vancouver Whitecaps F.C.
08/09 – 07:00 PM MT – Nashville S.C.
08/15 – 06:30 PM MT – @ F.C. Dallas
08/22 – 07:00 PM MT – Real Salt Lake
08/29 – 07:00 PM MT – Minnesota United F.C.
September
09/12 – 07:00 PM MT – Sporting K.C.
09/16 – 06:00 PM MT – @ Nashville S.C.
09/19 – 08:30 PM MT – @ Los Angeles Galaxy
09/26 – 07:00 PM MT – Seattle Sounders F.C.
October
10/04 – 02:30 PM MT – @ San Jose Earthquakes
Image Credit: Colorado Rapids
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