8 Apr 2000: Marcelo Balboa #17 of the Colorado Rapids in action kicking the ball during the game against the Tampa Bay Mutiny at the Mile High Stadium in Denver, CMandatory Credit: Rodolfo Ganzales /Allsport
Commerce City, CO – Tonight the Colorado Rapids retire Marcelo Balboa’s jersey. No Rapids player will ever wear the #17 again. A lot has been said and written about Celo this week. Here’s some pictures from the Getty Images vault. Enjoy scroll down memory lane.
1990s USMNT Aura
CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES – July 4: Marcelo Balboa of Usa running during the FIFA World Cup Finals Round Of 16 match between Brazil and United States at Stanford Stadium In Stanford on July 4, 1994 in California, United States. (Photo by Stewart Kendall/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
The United States team poses for a team photo ((back) American footballer Earnie Stewart, American footballer Kasey Keller, American footballer Alexi Lalas, American footballer Jeff Agoos, American footballer Marcelo Balboa, American footballer Mike Burns, (front) American footballer Eric Wynalda, American footballer John Harkes, American footballer Roy Lassiter, American footballer Cobi Jones, and American footballer Claudio Reyna) ahead of the International Friendly match between Belgium and the USA, held at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, Belgium, 25th February 1998. Belgium won the match 2-0. (Photo by Gerd Scheewel/Bongarts/Getty Images)
L – R, Desmond Armstrong, Thomas Dooley, Peter Vermes, Alexi Lalas, Marcelo Balboa, Chris Henderson and Hugo Perez of the United States National Football Team stand with hand across heart for the playing of the American national anthem before the International Friendly match against Bolivia on 26th March 1994 at the Cotton Bowl Stadium, Dallas, Texas, United States. The match was drawn 2 – 2. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Allsport/Getty Images)
American footballer Marcelo Balboa, defender with Colorado Foxes, lines up on the pitch prior to playing for the United States national soccer team in an International Friendly match between the Republic of Ireland and USA at Lansdowne Road Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on 29th April 1992. Republic of Irelamnd would go on to win the match 4-1. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images)
American footballer Marcelo Balboa in action with the ball as a defender for the United States national soccer team during play in the FIFA World Cup CONCACAF final round match between USA and Canada at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, California on 16th March 1997. The USA would go on to win the match 3-0. (Photo by Popperfoto via Getty Images)
The Inaugural Season: 1996 Colorado Rapids
5 MAy 1996: Colorado Rapids Team photo taken before an MLS game against the Kansas City Wiz played at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. The Rapids won the game, 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobsohn /Allsport
5 MAY 1996: Marcelo Balboa #17 of the Colorado Rapids runs downfield against the Kansas City Wiz during an MLS game played at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. The Rapids won the game, 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobsohn /Allsport
MLS 1997: MLS Cup Final Loss to D.C. United 2-1
Colorado Rapids team group (Photo by Matthew Ashton/EMPICS via Getty Images)
18 Mar 1997: Marcelo Balboa of the Colorado Rapids looks on during the MLS preview in Miami, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Squire /Allsport
5 May 2001: Marcelo Balboa #17 of the Colorado Rapids puts the ball in play against the Dallas Burn at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas. The Rapids won 1 – 0 over the Burn. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Ronald Martinez/ MLS/ALLSPORT
From the First Colorado Rapids Player to Legend:
2 May 2000: Marcelo Balboa #17 of the Colorado Rapids tries to block John Wolyniec #22 of the Chicago Fire during the game at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Rapids defeated the Fire 2-1.Mandatory Credit: Harry How /Allsport
21 Jul 2001: Marcelo Balboa #17 of the Colorado Rapids dribbles down field during the match against the Tampa BAy Mutiny at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Rapids won 2-1 over the Mutiny. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons/ALLSPORT
Marcelo Balboa, Colorado Rapids (Photo by Matthew Ashton/EMPICS via Getty Images)
Marcelo Balboa of the Colorado Rapids during the 1998 season. (Photo by T. Quinn/MLS) *** Local Caption ***
18 Mar 2000: Marcelo Balboa #17 of the Colorado Rapids controls the ball during a game against the Los Angeles Galaxy at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The Galaxy defeated the Rapids 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport
20 Sep 2000: Referee Noel Kenny laughs with Marcelo Balboa #17 of the Colorado Rapids during the game against the Kansas City Wizards at the Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. The Wizards tied the Rapids 0-0.Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport
14 Oct 2000: Maurico Balboa of the Colorado Rapids receives the Master Card Goal of the Year Award during the MLS Awards at the Reagan Building in Washington, D.C.Mandatory Credit: Nick Wass /Allsport
Post Playing Career: Hall of Fame, Media, Academy Coaching
Marcelo Balboa during his Hall of Fame induction during a game at Invesco Field @ Mile High in Denver, Colorado on July 23, 2005. (Photo by Alan Yamamoto/MLS) *** Local Caption ***
COMMERCE CITY, CO – JUNE 01: Colorado Rapids commentator Marcelo Balboa in the booth before the Houston Dynamo game June 1, 2014 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. (Photo by John Leyba/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
COMMERCE CITY, CO – AUGUST 14 : Marcelo Balboa poses for a portrait at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Thursday, August 14, 2025. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Thank you for reading Burgundy Wave. Support us via our Patreon starting at $5/month. We’re always looking for new talent. Let us know if you’re interested in covering Colorado Soccer.
{"id":"299","mode":"form","open_style":"in_place","currency_code":"USD","currency_symbol":"$","currency_type":"decimal","blank_flag_url":"https:\/\/burgundywave.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/tip-jar-wp\/\/assets\/images\/flags\/blank.gif","flag_sprite_url":"https:\/\/burgundywave.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/tip-jar-wp\/\/assets\/images\/flags\/flags.png","default_amount":5,"top_media_type":"none","featured_image_url":false,"featured_embed":"","header_media":null,"file_download_attachment_data":null,"recurring_options_enabled":true,"recurring_options":{"never":{"selected":true,"after_output":"One time only"},"weekly":{"selected":false,"after_output":"Every week"},"monthly":{"selected":false,"after_output":"Every month"},"yearly":{"selected":false,"after_output":"Every year"}},"strings":{"current_user_email":"","current_user_name":"","link_text":"Leave a tip","complete_payment_button_error_text":"Check info and try again","payment_verb":"Pay","payment_request_label":"Burgundy Wave","form_has_an_error":"Please check and fix the errors above","general_server_error":"Something isn't working right at the moment. Please try again.","form_title":"Burgundy Wave","form_subtitle":"Colorado Soccer content.","currency_search_text":"Country or Currency here","other_payment_option":"Other payment option","manage_payments_button_text":"Manage your payments","thank_you_message":"Thank you for supporting independent coverage of soccer in Colorado.","payment_confirmation_title":"Burgundy Wave","receipt_title":"Your Receipt","print_receipt":"Print Receipt","email_receipt":"Email Receipt","email_receipt_sending":"Sending receipt...","email_receipt_success":"Email receipt successfully sent","email_receipt_failed":"Email receipt failed to send. Please try again.","receipt_payee":"Paid to","receipt_statement_descriptor":"This will show up on your statement as","receipt_date":"Date","receipt_transaction_id":"Transaction ID","receipt_transaction_amount":"Amount","refund_payer":"Refund from","login":"Log in to manage your payments","manage_payments":"Manage Payments","transactions_title":"Your Transactions","transaction_title":"Transaction Receipt","transaction_period":"Plan Period","arrangements_title":"Your Plans","arrangement_title":"Manage Plan","arrangement_details":"Plan Details","arrangement_id_title":"Plan ID","arrangement_payment_method_title":"Payment Method","arrangement_amount_title":"Plan Amount","arrangement_renewal_title":"Next renewal date","arrangement_action_cancel":"Cancel Plan","arrangement_action_cant_cancel":"Cancelling is currently not available.","arrangement_action_cancel_double":"Are you sure you'd like to cancel?","arrangement_cancelling":"Cancelling Plan...","arrangement_cancelled":"Plan Cancelled","arrangement_failed_to_cancel":"Failed to cancel plan","back_to_plans":"\u2190 Back to Plans","update_payment_method_verb":"Update","sca_auth_description":"Your have a pending renewal payment which requires authorization.","sca_auth_verb":"Authorize renewal payment","sca_authing_verb":"Authorizing payment","sca_authed_verb":"Payment successfully authorized!","sca_auth_failed":"Unable to authorize! Please try again.","login_button_text":"Log in","login_form_has_an_error":"Please check and fix the errors above","uppercase_search":"Search","lowercase_search":"search","uppercase_page":"Page","lowercase_page":"page","uppercase_items":"Items","lowercase_items":"items","uppercase_per":"Per","lowercase_per":"per","uppercase_of":"Of","lowercase_of":"of","back":"Back to plans","zip_code_placeholder":"Zip\/Postal Code","download_file_button_text":"Download File","input_field_instructions":{"tip_amount":{"placeholder_text":"How much would you like to tip?","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"How much would you like to tip? Choose any currency."},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"How much would you like to tip? Choose any currency."},"invalid_curency":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Please choose a valid currency."}},"recurring":{"placeholder_text":"Recurring","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"How often would you like to give this?"},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"How often would you like to give this?"},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"How often would you like to give this?"}},"name":{"placeholder_text":"Name on Credit Card","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Enter the name on your card."},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"Enter the name on your card."},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Please enter the name on your card."}},"privacy_policy":{"terms_title":"Terms and conditions","terms_body":null,"terms_show_text":"View Terms","terms_hide_text":"Hide Terms","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"I agree to the terms."},"unchecked":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Please agree to the terms."},"checked":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"I agree to the terms."}},"email":{"placeholder_text":"Your email address","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Enter your email address"},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"Enter your email address"},"blank":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Enter your email address"},"not_an_email_address":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Make sure you have entered a valid email address"}},"note_with_tip":{"placeholder_text":"Your note here...","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Attach a note to your tip (optional)"},"empty":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Attach a note to your tip (optional)"},"not_empty_initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Attach a note to your tip (optional)"},"saving":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Saving note..."},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"Note successfully saved!"},"error":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Unable to save note note at this time. Please try again."}},"email_for_login_code":{"placeholder_text":"Your email address","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Enter your email to log in."},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"Enter your email to log in."},"blank":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Enter your email to log in."},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Enter your email to log in."}},"login_code":{"initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Check your email and enter the login code."},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"Check your email and enter the login code."},"blank":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Check your email and enter the login code."},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Check your email and enter the login code."}},"stripe_all_in_one":{"initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Enter your credit card details here."},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Enter your credit card details here."},"success":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Enter your credit card details here."},"invalid_number":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card number is not a valid credit card number."},"invalid_expiry_month":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's expiration month is invalid."},"invalid_expiry_year":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's expiration year is invalid."},"invalid_cvc":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's security code is invalid."},"incorrect_number":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card number is incorrect."},"incomplete_number":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card number is incomplete."},"incomplete_cvc":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's security code is incomplete."},"incomplete_expiry":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's expiration date is incomplete."},"incomplete_zip":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's zip code is incomplete."},"expired_card":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card has expired."},"incorrect_cvc":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's security code is incorrect."},"incorrect_zip":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's zip code failed validation."},"invalid_expiry_year_past":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's expiration year is in the past"},"card_declined":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card was declined."},"missing":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"There is no card on a customer that is being charged."},"processing_error":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"An error occurred while processing the card."},"invalid_request_error":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Unable to process this payment, please try again or use alternative method."},"invalid_sofort_country":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The billing country is not accepted by SOFORT. Please try another country."}}}},"fetched_oembed_html":false}
Spencer Baldwin 