The Colorado Rapids announced today the team's first annual Open Tryouts, which will be held on Sunday, March 6 starting at 10 a.m. outdoors at the team's training facility in Westminster, Co., (registration will begin at 8:30 a.m.). The Rapids will be scouting players to join the team. Any players selected during this tryout will travel with the Rapids for their preseason trip to Birmingham, Alabama, where the club will take on the Chicago Fire on March 12. Registration for the tryouts begins today and will close March 1.
"It is very clear that Colorado and the adjacent states have created an enormous amount of local talent in their history," Colorado Rapids Head Coach Fernando Clavijo said. "The two goals of this tryout are clear: to identify the local talent and give all soccer players interested an opportunity to showcase their skills in the most professional environment in the Rocky Mountain Region."
The Colorado Rapids tryouts are open to aspiring male players between the ages of 16 and 32 years of age. The $50 registration fee includes two tickets for the Rapids' 2005 Home Opener. The first 100 players registered will receive a Colorado Rapids official team training shirt, official team practice shorts and training socks, as well as other giveaways.
Coaching staff from the Colorado Rapids -including Head Coach Fernando Clavijo- along with coaching staff from adjacent professional soccer franchises, the Colorado Springs Blizzard (PDL), the Boulder Rapids Reserve (PDL), and other local soccer clubs will be on hand to scout all participants.
On the day of the tryouts, players will have to fill out a waiver form and present a valid photo identification or birth certificate. Players interested in trying out should visit www.coloradorapids.com for detailed information, download the registration form and the waiver form, pick up all printed materials at the Pepsi Center, or call the Rapids Open Tryout Hotline at (720) 931-1980.
Interested players are encouraged to mail the registration form, along with their payment to the following address:
2005 Rapids Open Tryouts
1000 Chopper Circle
Denver, CO 80204
What: Colorado Rapids first ever Open Tryouts
When: Sunday, March 6th starting at 10:00 a.m. (Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m.)
Where: Colorado Rapids training facility in Westminster, CO (10485 Sheridan Boulevard, Westminster, CO - intersection of Sheridan and 105th.)
Why: To identify local talent and give soccer players an opportunity to showcase their skills in a professional environment.
Registration: Online registration available at www.coloradorapids.com, or at the Pepsi Center offices. For more information, please call (720) 931-1980.
