Only five weeks before the season opener, Major League Soccer finally released the league schedule Thursday.
As previously announced, the defending champion Rapids will open March 19 at home against the Portland Timbers. Portland is an expansion team coached by former Rapids great John Spencer.
The Rapids will play FC Dallas — the team they beat to win the MLS Cup in November — at Dallas on April 9 and at home Oct. 1.
As usual, Colorado’s final regular-season home game will be against its Rocky Mountain rival, Real Salt Lake, which comes to town on Oct. 22.
Because of expansion into Portland and Vancouver, British Columbia, league teams will play 34 games — home and away against each of their 17 league opponents. The Rapids also will take part in the CONCACAF Champions League and the U.S. Open Cup.
Because July 4 occurs on a Monday this year, the traditional Fourth of July fireworks game will be played on July 3, with the Houston Dynamo in town.
