Colorado Rapids Unified Team Kicks off 13th Year With Wholesome Joy

BROOMFIELD – This past Tuesday night at Flatiron Crossing in Broomfield, the Colorado Rapids Unified Team kicked off their 13th season. It was pure joy.

Every team in Major League Soccer has a partnership with the local Special Olympics. Former Chief Business Officer Wayne Brant started the program 13 years ago. Colorado was one of the original United Teams along with Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers. It grew year over year as Brant pitched it to the league and other clubs. Now it’s a requirement of MLS teams with many programs traveling and playing multiple games against other MLS and even some USL Unified Teams.

“This program means everything to the club. It’s the program our front office, staff, players are all bought in on. We want these athletes to feel included,” Rapids VP, Community, Events & Entertainment Caitlin Kinser told Burgundy Wave.

“This is by far my favorite night of the year. It’s my 10th one. It’s special. It never gets old. Seeing them sign the contracts and genuinely feeling a part of the club. It means so much. I look forward to it every year,” Kinser added.

The Rapids treat this team as their own first team. They’ve gotten their own coach bus for away matches. The signing day has its own pageantry unto itself. The only teams that use the main home team locker room at DICK’s Sporting Goods Park are the Rapids first team, the United States Men’s and Women’s National Teams, and the Rapids Unified Team.

The legendary Scotty Stephens, who represented the club at New York Fashion Week one year, has sat at Tim Howard’s old locker. If that’s not inclusion and opportunity for a marginalized group of young people, I don’t know what is.

“This is the start of life-changing experiences for everyone involved. The event is so significant. So many players don’t get the chance to play soccer at an organized and competitive level. It brings together what we’re about, playing in a Unified space. It becomes a growing opportunity,” said Molly, the Unified Team Head Coach.

More than the chance to meet professional athletes, the program provides an incubator for Athletes and Partners to cultivate meaningful relationships.

“It’s about the relationships first. The soccer comes after,” Molly added.

“We have to focus on the human piece. Bringing together the human spirit. Treating people with kindness. Being inclusive. Being safe. We don’t focus on their disabilities. We celebrate their strengths and their spirit.”

Last year was a banner year for the Unified Team. Yes, they retained the Rocky Mountain Cup on an amazing goal at RSL. Yes, their coach and goalkeeper were a part of the MLS All-Star Unified Team. The real wins were in the growth of a group of young people:

The Athletes who made friends, found confidence, and got to share in the love of the game. The Partners who became better allies and ambassadors. All of these kids just needed a platform and an opportunity. Colorado Rapids has provided that.

“Sports help you build life skills. They helped you build confidence. It helps with their mental health. That reinforces why it’s so important for us to provide these opportunities. The more we can do, the better off they’ll be,” Kinser said to that point.

They’re so wholesome and grateful as well. During the signing event, one player got asked why he chose #11. “I always say #1 is a good number but two #1s would be even better.” Another player chose #19 because her parents used to wear #2 and #17 respectively.

The Unified Team has already started practice for the season. Their first match is the Rocky Mountain Cup on May 17 vs RSL. They’ll play at New England June 28. Their scrimmage with the Rapids staff is in early August. Their final match is September 13 vs Houston.

The Unified Team always wins the staff scrimmage by the way. It gets headed. There’s been yellow cards and penalties. These kids know how to get stuck in. You gotta love it.

Photo Credit: Colorado Rapids

Thank you for reading Burgundy Wave. Support us via our Patreon starting at $5/month. We’re always looking for new talent. Let us know if you’re interested in covering Colorado Soccer.