The Colorado Rapids are going retro.
As part of the club’s 30th anniversary season, the Rapids unveiled their throwback “Original Green” kit on Wednesday morning in a nod to the team’s inaugural 1996 look. The Rapids are one of 10 MLS teams to feature a third kit this season, joining other original clubs and some newer franchises.
Before adopting the burgundy and blue scheme the Rapids sport today, the team’s look was centered around green and white with hints of gold and blue. The 30th anniversary throwbacks are entirely green with large white and gold numbers on the back.
The visual design reimagines the original Rapids logo front and center: the word ‘Rapids’ between waves of water and mountain peaks. The club’s secondary logo, used from 1996-2007, is featured as the crest on the chest. While the look is retro, the fit and technical features of the jersey are modern, featuring moisture-wicking fabric and a slimmer cut compared to the baggier jerseys of the ’90s.
It also features subtle easter eggs like the jock tag that includes a silhouette of club legend Marcelo Balboa’s iconic bicycle kick — named the MLS goal of the year in 2000 — from a match against the Columbus Crew.
“This kit is a reflection of where we started and a reminder of everything we’ve built since 1996,” Rapids president Pádraig Smith said in a news release revealing the kits. “‘Original Green’ represents more than just a uniform, it embodies our legacy, our growth and the community that’s stood with us every step of the way. As one of the league’s true originals, we’re proud of our heritage and deeply committed to remaining at the forefront of Major League Soccer’s continued growth.”
Colorado will debut the kit on July 26 in a game at the Philadelphia Union right before Leagues Cup — a midseason tournament between MLS and Liga MX teams. It won’t appear at home until a match against Atlanta United on Aug. 16, during which Balboa will have his jersey retired.
It’s scheduled to feature in two other matches this season: Sept. 27 against Minnesota United and on Decision Day on Oct. 18 against LAFC, both home games.
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