COMMERCE CITY — The Rapids will partner with the Colorado Force FC to field a women’s team this season in the W-League, the top women’s circuit in North America.
The Force, which has been based in Fort Collins since 1996, will be renamed the Colorado Rapids women.
“Having the Rapids Women as part of our soccer club is a huge step for this organization,” said Rapids president Tim Hinchey. “We’re thrilled to be able to provide top quality women’s soccer as part of our club, and with that, the chance for all the boys and girls in our academy and throughout Colorado to see the game at the top level and aspire to those heights.”
The W-League was established in 1995 and has many players with experience on the U.S. and Canadian national teams. The WPS, the top women’s league in recent years, cancelled its 2012 season last month, leaving the W-League the biggest currently-running women’s soccer league remaining in the U.S.
The Rapids Women will begin their season May 26, hosting Victoria Highlanders FC.
“With this new partnership, we’ll be able to showcase the highest level of competition for all of Colorado,” said Amy Snider, co-founder of the Force. “I’m proud that after 17 years, there continue to be opportunities for women to play soccer after college. We anticipate our partnership with the Rapids will allow the club to offer even greater opportunities to our players.”
John Meyer: 303-954-1616 or jmeyer@denverpost.com
