Why do Rapids Fans Boo the Other Team’s Left Back?

Commerce City, Colo.– At least once a season, this question comes up from opposing fans visiting DICK’s Sporting Goods Park. Why are the Rapids fans booing our left back? What did he do to upset the east stand? Theories about why Colorado decided to do this vary among the opposition fanbases, but the reason and origin behind it continue to elude many who question this tradition. One of the longest-standing traditions in MLS is also one of the least known among MLS fans. So, why do Rapids fans boo the left back?

The Origin

The origin dates back to a 1996 MLS clash between the Colorado Rapids and the Tampa Bay Mutiny. May 11, the club’s third ever home game. Tampa Bay won the game 2-1 on the back of a goal from their left back, Steve Ralston in the 76th minute. The River Ratz, a group of Rapids fans, decided to boo the left back in the next match. Colorado won that game, 2-0 over Dallas Burn, and the tradition stuck.

Mark Johnson, one of the first season ticket holders, who helped start this tradition, said they started it for no reason, but it stuck. And it started to work. The boos started to affect the left-backs, especially at the start of games. But it wasn’t personal, and the players started laughing once they realized it wasn’t. For 200 or so River Ratz, it was just some dumb fun rooting for their team. They certainly didn’t think it was going to become a tradition at that point. 

Tradition Through the Years

Since 1996, there have been numerous changes to soccer in Colorado and to the Colorado Rapids as a whole. But this tradition stayed. Through playing at the old Mile High, the new Mile High, and now the home of Rapids soccer, DICK’s Sporting Goods Park. Opposing left-backs have heard the boos rain down whenever they get the ball for 30 years now. 

But what was once the River Ratz had to evolve. After several iterations in supporters groups, the River Ratz have gone away and now stands Centennial 38, the supporters group for the Colorado Rapids. C38 is most known for its work on the south side of the stadium in the standing supporters section, and the north bleachers before that. But C38 also has a lesser-known Section 108 along the eastern section of the stadium. This has become the perfect spot to continue the tradition, right in the left back’s ear. Habits catch on. Today, the tradition is generally associated with the east stand, just C38 peeps who don’t want to stand on the South Bank and thus sit near the southeast corner.

Booing the left back has also evolved, and has become boo whichever outside back is along the eastern side of the stadium. Sharing the “love” between both of the wide defenders. This tradition still gets reactions from the opposing team and their supporters, whether it is confusion or anger; it gets into the players’ heads. 

“My first game, it was a bit weird. Why are they booing that guy?” Rapids legend Drew Moor told Burgundy Wave. “You definitely notice it. As an away player, you feed off of it (getting booed by the home fans).”

Burgundy Wave has heard unverified stories of Claudio López finding it strange and annoying, causing fans to double down on it. Part of being a supporters group is having your own inside jokes, having fun while being annoying. Thirty years after the River Ratz made fetch happen, there’s probably one of their dissidents who stuck around for C38, eventually made the move the east stand and kept the “let’s boo the left back” going.

New Rapids players are confused by it? Opposing players and fans are confused by it? All the more reason to do it.

This tradition was officially adopted by the club in a handy gameday guide for the 2024 season. The club added the tradition to the gameday guide, urging fans to boo the other team’s left back when he gets the ball. For better or worse, the tradition among fans has some team recognition, and it continues to this day. 

What started as a fun joke among a group of 1996 Rapids fans has turned into one of the longest-standing traditions in the league. Despite its tenure, it remains one of the lesser-known traditions among Rapids fans. Big thanks to Mark Johnson for the help with this article about a fun Rapids fan tradition. Now in the 30th season, let’s continue to boo the other team’s left back!

Thank you for reading Burgundy Wave. Support us via our Patreon starting at $5/month. You can also make a one-time contribution via Tip Jar. We’re always looking for new talent. Let us know if you’re interested in covering Colorado Soccer.