To be fair, the Colo Colo Rapids aren’t the team in discussion, but the U-23 version of the Rapids are. An amateur, minor league team based in Boulder, the U-23s were purchased by a couple guys three years ago (including an Argentinian lawyer who has never practiced law) who are now losing 10s of thousands each year. But, like NFL Europe, the WNBA, and baked Lays, there are no plans to kill off the leeching franchise. The owners love their sport too much and dammit I give ‘em mad props for that! However, seeing how they lose more money on the team each year than I make at my job, I don’t think I’ll be joining them in team ownership anytime soon.

So what makes this team a bunch of foul-smelling, dope-smoking, job-evading hippies? Why, their slogan, of course!

To be more in tune with the city (Boulder is quite “liberal” if you catch my drift), the team has changed their catchphrase from “Boulder County’s Most Competitive Soccer Team” (which was hella weak) to “The World’s First Carbon Neutral Soccer Team.” Throwing out my mild conservationist tendencies, that slogan appeals to the science nerd in me. Even their warm up jerseys now say ““Kick Global Warming.” Wearing a t-shirt to show you’re environment-friendly? Now THAT’S commitment! I kid, I kid. The team and the guy behind these new ideas (a local businessman in Boulder) are doing something good (the article actually discusses how the team is “carbon neutral” and provides examples of novel promotions such as “ride a bike to the game and get $2 off admission”) and making a real connection between the team and city. Which is a lot more than anyone can say for the Anaheim Mighty Ducks of Los Angeles (why not just put a hockey team in Puerto Rico or Hawaii while we’re at it).