COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Tuesday, March 6, 2012) – The Colorado Rapids Soccer Club has expanded, with the new Colorado Rapids Women to begin play this spring in the W-League, the top level of women’s soccer in North America. The team is a result of a partnership between the Colorado Rapids and Colorado Force FC, a franchise founded in 1996 with operations based in Fort Collins, Colo., which will rebrand to become the Colorado Rapids Women.

The partnership was celebrated today at Dick's Sporting Goods Park with (left to right in photo above) Amy Snider, Co-Founder of the Colorado Rapids Women, Tim Hinchey, President of the Colorado Rapids, and Cayla Deacon, General Manager of the Colorado Rapids Women.

“Having the Rapids Women as part of our soccer club is a huge step for this organization,” said Hinchey. “We’re thrilled to be able to provide top quality women’s soccer as part of our club, and with that, the chance for all the boys and girls in our Academy and throughout Colorado to see the game at the top level and aspire to those heights.”

“With this new partnership, we’ll be able to showcase the highest level of competition for all of Colorado,” said Snider. “I’m proud that after 17 years, there continue to be opportunities for women to play soccer after college. We anticipate our partnership with the Rapids will allow the club to offer even greater opportunities to our players.”

Management of the franchise, founded in Fort Collins in 1996 and Colorado’s longest-operating women’s sports franchise, will continue in Northern Colorado, with business offices in Fort Collins. The club’s ownership also remains unchanged. The Colorado Rapids Women will train and play matches at Dick Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, though players and coaches will continue to conduct camps and clinics in Northern Colorado, maintaining the strong bond they have formed with the community. Exhibition matches are also planned for Northern Colorado sites.

Established in 1995, the W-League is the longest-running women’s soccer league in North America. Since its inception it has offered opportunity to women’s soccer players, with numerous alumna playing for the U.S. Women’s National Team, the Canadian Women’s National Team and many other countries. The Colorado Rapids Women will kick off their 2012 W-League season on May 26, hosting Victoria Highlanders FC.

The Rapids open the 2012 regular season this Saturday, March 10 against the Columbus Crew at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, and have several fan events during “Rapids Week 2012” leading up to First Kick. For more information on the team, or to purchase tickets, please call 303-825-GOAL.