Although the mere presence of the word Colorado in their name serves to call the RSL - Rapids rivalry to mind, the Switchbacks have never had any affiliation with their MLS neighbors to the north. Ever since the USL first announced the foundation of the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in 2013, talk has swirled around the possibility of a Colorado Rapids affiliation, but it has never came to fruition.
Once the MLS and USL began their joint developmental plans, the Rapids affiliated with the Charlotte Independence despite the short distance between Denver and Colorado Springs. The Switchbacks, under Team President Nick Ragain, made it clear from the beginning that they welcomed any collaboration with the Rapids, telling the Denver Post in May 2014, “We’re having discussions with them and we’re both trying to figure out what this looks like.