When the Colorado Rapids stride out onto the field at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on Saturday, March 4, 2017 to face New England Revolution (TICKETS), it will be the earliest home opener in club history.

It will also be the first time that these two MLS originals have faced each other on the opening day of the season, in what will be a 44th meeting (the Rapids are 19-15-9 all-time). On their last visit to Dick's Sporting Goods Park, the Revolution departed with a 2-0 win in what was the fourth game of the 2015 season. The Rapids had tied their opening three games 0-0.

The earliest home opener previously was March 10, with games against Columbus Crew SC in 2012 and Philadelphia Union in 2013. The match against the Union was pushed back 24 hours, due to snow in Commerce City.

This match-up with the Revs will also be the second earliest season opener for the Rapids; they played at FC Dallas on March 2 to kick-off the 2013 season.

Colorado are no strangers to beginning the season with their Home Opener. Indeed, this will be the sixth occasion, but the first since 2012. Other such times when the MLS curtain has been raised in Colorado include 2003, 2007, 2008 and 2011. The match against D.C. United to lift the lid on the 2007 campaign was also the first-ever game at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. The contest with Portland in 2011 was the Timbers' first-ever game in MLS.

The Rapids' record in home openers is 13-3-5, and 4-1-0 when the match also happens to be the season opener. In that time, they have faced 13 different opponents, including two which are no longer in the league, Miami Fusion and Tampa Bay Mutiny. They have met LA Galaxy (4) more than any other franchise in the home opener. Other teams to make multiple trips to Colorado for the first home game are Columbus (3), San Jose Earthquakes, FC Dallas, and the Timbers (all 2).

On April 14, 2001 the then-named MetroStars tackled the Rapids at Mile High Stadium in the home opener. Pedro Alvarez gave the visitors the lead, before Marcelo Balboa equalized seven minutes from the end of regulation time. In goal for the MetroStars that day was Tim Howard.

The Rapids follow their home opener - and season opener - with their first road trip of the new campaign on Saturday, March 11 when they travel to Red Bull Arena to meet New York Red Bulls. The Red Bulls' record in home openers stands at 12-4-5. One of those five ties was the opening home game of 2014, a 1-1 outcome in what was the MLS coaching debut of Pablo Mastroeni.

Meanwhile, here are the results of the Rapids' previous 21 home openers: