Owner Stan Kroenke Major League Soccer 7th U.S. Open Cup Did not qualify | Coach Gary Smith MLS Cup Champions Rocky Mountain Cup Runners-up | |
The 2010 Colorado Rapids season was the fifteenth year and season of the club's existence. It was Colorado's fifteenth year in Major League Soccer, and the sixth-consecutive year for the club in the top-flight of American soccer.
Contents
Following a disappointing ninth-place finish in the regular season, head coach Gary Smith began to revamp and overhaul the roster, making numerous inexpensive moves to sign low-key MLS players. The Rapids were able to improve slightly in the MLS regular season, finishing in seventh place. In the MLS Cup playoffs, the team started to gel. Colorado defeat Columbus and then San Jose before defeating Dallas for their first MLS Cup title. Their win has received heavy criticism, however.
In addition to MLS and MLS Cup Playoffs, Colorado participated in the play-in propers of the US Open Cup before being knocked out 3-0 by New York in the fourth round proper.
March
Colorado began their sixth Major League Soccer regular season on the road with a 1-0 win against Chivas USA on March 28, 2010.
April
Colorado played their first home match against the Chicago Fire on April 3, earning a point in a 2-2 draw.
October
The Rapids entered the 2010 MLS Cup Playoffs as the third seed in the Eastern Conference, despite playing in the Western Conference. In the Conference Semifinals, Colorado defeated the Columbus Crew at home 1-0 in the first of two legs.
November
The Rapids played the second leg of their Conference Semifinal matchup in Columbus. After 90 minutes of play, the Crew were on top 2-1, meaning the two teams were tied on aggregate goals 2-2. After playing a scoreless extra period, the two teams went into a penalty shootout, where the Rapids would prevail 5-4. Colorado would follow up with a home win over the San Jose Earthquakes in the Conference Final to advance to the Cup Final.
MLS Cup 2010 was played on a neutral field at BMO Field, home of Toronto FC. The Rapids faced off against FC Dallas, the third seed in the Western Conference. The teams would go into extra time, where the match was decided by an own goal from FC Dallas defender George John in the 107th minute. The Rapids would win the match 2-1, and won their first MLS Cup in club history.
Match results
Win Tie Loss
League table
Conference
Overall
Results summary
Last updated: April 21, 2009
Source: Major League Soccer
Pld = Matches played; Pts = Points; W = Matches won; T = Matches tied; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference
Last updated: April 21, 2010.
Source: MLS Results & League table
Ground: A = Away; H = Home. Result: T = Tie; L = Loss; W = Win; P = Postponed.
Current roster
As of May 5, 2010.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.