The Colorado Rapids are set to retire Marcelo Balboa's Number 17. I'll be just the second time in franchise history a number has earned this distinct honor.

For Balboa, the honor fits his legacy.

In addition to being one of America's greatest defenders, Balboa dedicated his life to growing Colorado's soccer community.

“When we qualified for the 1990 World Cup nobody really knew what the World Cup was in the United States," Balboa said. "It’s always been an educational piece [for me].”

Balboa remembers interest in the world's game was pretty slim here in Colorado when he first joined the Rapids.

“There were guys on our team that were working before they played in the MLS for $90,000 or $100,000," Balboa said. "They decided to come play professional soccer and help this league for $50,0

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