COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Tuesday, March 5, 2013) – The Colorado Rapids and Altitude announced today the broadcast talent for the 2013 Rapids season, with veteran English broadcaster Richard Fleming joining Rapids legend Marcelo Balboa on the call for Rapids matches in 2013.

Fleming, a sports broadcaster and journalist with nearly 25 years of experience covering soccer and other sports around the world, comes to Colorado as the club’s new Director of Broadcasting, and will host Rapids telecasts and other programming on Altitude. Balboa, one of four players in the Rapids’ “Gallery of Honor,” enters his eighth year as the team’s color commentator, having also worked in the same role for ABC, ESPN, NBC and Univision, covering major soccer events including the 2006 FIFA World Cup and the 2008 and 2012 Olympics.

This Saturday’s broadcast of the Rapids’ Home Opener, at 4:00 p.m. MT against the Philadelphia Union, will feature Mike Haynes filling in for Fleming alongside Balboa. Fleming will be available for all Rapids matches starting with the March 16 Subaru Rocky Mountain Cup match at Real Salt Lake. A full schedule of Altitude broadcasts is below, including the addition of the July 20 match to Altitude, with a new start time of 2:00 p.m. MT.

“With Richard and Marcelo calling the games, our fans will have the most knowledgeable and experienced television duo in Major League Soccer,” said Rapids President Tim Hinchey. “Both have been deeply involved in the sport of soccer around the world for many years, and combining their ability with Altitude’s commitment the Rapids will give our supporters a great television experience.”

“Altitude is delighted and honored to have Richard Fleming join the Altitude team. He will bring a lot of knowledge and experience to our Rapids broadcasts,” said Kim Carver, President and CEO of Altitude Sports & Entertainment.

Fleming and Balboa will both contribute to other Rapids programing on Altitude, including Rapid Kickoff pre-match shows, Rapids Locker Room Reports after home games, as well as the weekly Rapids Report, which will air new episodes every Thursday night starting in May. In addition, Altitude staff including Julie Browman, Kyle Keefe, Blake Olson and Maya Starks will join Fleming and Balboa for home matches, providing sideline reports and feature content. For more information on Altitude visit www.altitude.tv.