DENVER — After a snowy morning of training Friday in downtown Denver, the Colorado Rapids (4-3-0) will host reigning MLS Cup champions Inter Miami FC (3-1-3) tomorrow afternoon for the matchup of the season, with kickoff scheduled for 2:30 p.m and lots opening at 10:30 a.m.
Saturday is expected to be filled with a variety of activities, ranging from limited edition merchandise, goat yoga and giveaways to a halftime performance by Denver DJ Lane 8, all in celebration of the team’s inaugural match April 21, 1996.
The contest, marking the second club matchup in history, is set to take place where it all began, bringing MLS soccer back to Empower Field. “Now we stand here today…. we return to where we started this thing in 96, where we beat Dallas 3-1,” Rapids legend Marcelo Balboa said.
“It has been fun to watch the development, and not just with the Rapids, I’m talking soccer in general. To be here, to be involved with soccer, it’s been a blessing ever since.”
Balboa, whose number the club retired in 2025, was part of the inaugural team in 1996 and was responsible for two of three goals in the inaugural match. He was one of the first inducted into the gallery of honor and also holds a spot in the Colorado Sports and U.S Soccer Hall of Fame. Both he and 60+ Rapids alumni players will be in attendance for Saturday’s match.
That energy is expected to carry into the stands as well. Formerly known as Mile High Stadium, Empower Field holds, at capacity, 76,125 seats—a figure likely to be reached, with more than 70,000 tickets already sold in the days leading up to kickoff.
Fans from around the state are expected to appear for what is known to be one of the biggest matches of the season. A schedule of weekend activities are in place for the matchup between the reigning champs and the undefeated on home turf Rapids. Despite home loyalty, many fans remain excited to witness Miami star forward #10 Lionel Messi take the pitch.
The 38-year-old Argentinian star, notably one of the most well known and greatest players of all time, signed with the team in July 2023 and has been responsible for 55 goals, 35 assists and over 4800 minutes since.
“Obviously a proud moment. I have spoken about it many times before but to be able to wear the number 10 tomorrow and to be able to play against Messi, a guy who’s been my idol since such a young age, it’s a super exciting moment,” 22-year-old Paxten Aaronson said. “But, speaking to the rest of the guys on the team, it’s about not getting caught up in that moment, making sure we stick to our plan and play our game.”
The Colorado team is coming off a massive 6-2 league play win last weekend against Houston Dynamo FC. The win was followed by a 1-0 U.S Open Cup win against Union Omaha earlier this week.
The additional game this week allowed for head coach Matt Wells to further in-game repetitions for many new and advancing players as the weekend approached. Dante Sealy scored his first goal as a Rapid, a milestone Wells felt was long overdue. After facing suspensions due to red cards, Miguel Navarro and Jackson Travis each returned to the pitch and both Alexis Manyoma and newly acquired Georgi Minoungou saw additional minutes.
The majority of the club is eligible for play this week. M. Navarro has been ruled out this week with a hamstring injury, while Reggie Cannon, Connor Ronan, and Ted Ku-DiPietro remain sidelined for another week due to injury. M. Navarro missed last week’s matchup against Houston due to suspension but played 90 minutes on Tuesday against Omaha.
Coming off two draws in their last two matchups, Miami will be missing David Ayala and Sergio Reguilon due to injuries, while forward Tadeo Allende remains questionable. Allende is a regular starter for the Eastern Conference team and scored 11 goals last season as a key piece of the team’s front line.
Recent changes in Inter Miami leadership leaves the future of the club up in the air. Former Miami head coach Javier Mascherano, who led the team to MLS club title last season, announced last week that he would be stepping down from his position due to personal reasons. Guillermo Hoyos will assume the interim head coaching position for the team’s upcoming matches.
Despite leadership adjustments, Miami is expected to bring heavy offensive pressures to the Mile High City. The team is yet to be beaten this season, with Messi leading in goals with five, while midfielder Telasco Segovia leads in assists with four.
The Rapids will aim to showcase equal offensive pressure in an attempt to expand their home win streak. Designated player Rafael Navarro is expected to maintain his role in the starting eleven. He currently holds the second most goal contributions in the MLS this season, totaling five goals and four assists and is four goals shy of tying John Spencer for fifth place on the club’s all-time goals list
Kosi Thompson is another likely to showcase the team’s offensive power. Thompson was responsible for two goals in his first match as a Rapid last week, logging his first career brace.
Thompson is expected to appear alongside Aaronson and Hamzat Ojediran, who have both started every match this season. As well as Wayne Frederick who Wells had used as a utility player throughout matches this season, alternating him through various positions. Zack Steffen will lead the team as both captain and goalkeeper.
“I think we just have to be focused on our game plan. Like I said, execute the game plan, stick together. Whatever happens tomorrow, we can’t focus on what’s not in our control. We have to focus on what’s in our control and stick together,” Steffen said.
As the team takes a much larger stage tomorrow, in what’s expected to be an eventful matchup, Wells and the young team are prepared to capture audiences around the globe, with hopes to draw attention to MLS soccer and the capability of Rapids organization.
“I love the fact that the eyes are on us. That’s what I’ve wanted from day one, that’s something I have said from early on, I want every team to hate playing against us but every fan to love watching us,” Wells said. “I don’t think we have achieved that yet, I think we’re on the right path and Saturday is a big step towards that.”
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