The Rapids on Thursday released their 34-game schedule for the 2016 regular season.
The Rapids will open on the road at Avaya Stadium against the San Jose Earthquakes on March 6, then return to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park for their home opener March 12 against the star-studded Los Angeles Galaxy.
Colorado will again — for the 21st consecutive season — host a Fourth of July match, this year against the MLS Cup Champion Portland Timbers.
The Rapids also will try to retain the Rocky Mountain Cup against rival Real Salt Lake. Colorado hosts RSL on May 7, and plays two games at Rio Tinto Stadium in Salt Lake City, on April 9 and Aug. 26.
Colorado will face five other Western Conference teams three times each — San Jose, Los Angeles, Sporting KC, Portland and Vancouver .
The Rapids will make their first-ever trip to Yankee Stadium, taking on New York City FC on July 30.
Another home game to circle on the calendar is April 2, when Toronto FC visits Colorado for the first time since 2013. Reigning MLS MVP Sebastian Giovinco leads the Reds, along with U.S. national teamers Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore.
The Rapids host defending Supporters’ Shield winners New York Red Bulls on April 16.
Orlando City SC will make its first trip to the Centennial State since joining MLS. The Rapids host the Lions on Aug. 20.
Colorado’s 2016 schedule includes two nationally televised games: March 20 on ESPN2 at DC United, and Aug. 26 on UniMas against RSL.
Similar to the 2014 World Cup break, the 2016 schedule has a break in MLS action during the Copa America Centenario group stage from June 3-14.
Rapids’ regular season schedule
2016 Colorado Rapids regular season schedule
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| Opponent | Date | Time |
| at San Jose Earthquakes | Sunday, March 6 | 1 p.m. |
| LA Galaxy | Saturday, March 12 | 5 p.m. |
| at D.C. United | Sunday, March 20 | 3 p.m. |
| Toronto FC | Saturday, April 2 | 7 p.m. |
| at Real Salt Lake | Saturday, April 9 | 7:30 p.m. |
| at Sporting Kansas City | Wednesday, April 13 | 6:30 p.m. |
| New York Red Bulls | Saturday, April 16 | 7 p.m. |
| Seattle Sounders FC | Saturday, April 23 | 7 p.m. |
| at Montreal Impact | Saturday, April 30 | TBD |
| Real Salt Lake | Saturday, May 7 | 7 p.m. |
| Sporting Kansas City | Wednesday, May 11 | 7 p.m. |
| at Columbus Crew | Saturday, May 14 | 5:30 p.m. |
| at Seattle Sounders FC | Saturday, May 21 | 8 p.m. |
| Philadelphia Union | Saturday, May 28 | 7 p.m. |
| Chicago Fire | Saturday, June 18 | 7 p.m. |
| at LA Galaxy | Wednesday, June 22 | 8:30 p.m. |
| Portland Timbers | Monday, July 4 | 7 p.m. |
| at Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Saturday, July 9 | TBD |
| Sporting Kansas City | Saturday, July 16 | 7 p.m. |
| FC Dallas | Saturday, July 23 | 7 p.m. |
| at New York City FC | Saturday, July 30 | TBD |
| Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Saturday, Aug. 6 | 7 p.m. |
| at LA Galaxy | Saturday, Aug. 13 | 8:30 p.m. |
| Orlando City SC | Saturday, Aug. 20 | 7 p.m. |
| at Real Salt Lake | Friday, Aug. 26 | 6 p.m. |
| at New England Revolution | Saturday, Sept. 3 | TBD |
| at FC Dallas | Saturday, Sept. 10 | 7 p.m. |
| San Jose Earthquakes | Saturday, Sept. 17 | 7 p.m. |
| at Vancouver Wihitecaps FC | Saturday, Sept. 24 | TBD |
| Portland Timbers | Saturday, Oct. 1 | 7 p.m. |
| at Houston Dynamo | Saturday, Oct. 8 | TBD |
| San Jose Earthquakes | Thursday, Oct. 13 | 7 p.m. |
| at Portland Timbers | Sunday, Oct. 16 | 5 p.m. |
| Houston Dynamo | Sunday, Oct. 23 | 2 p.m. |
