Source: The Union's 2012 MLS First Kick Home Opener Will Be Against The Colorado Rapids On March 18

The Philadelphia Union will welcome the Colorado Rapids to Chester, PA to open PPL Park for the 2012 MLS regular season, a great deviation from what many people have been speculating about the season's schedule on Facebook and Twitter.

A source with knowledge of the Union's 2012 regular season schedule tells the Brotherly Game that the Union will host the Rapids on March 18, which will be Philadelphia's 2012 MLS First Kick home game. The Union played the Vancouver Whitecaps in last year's home opener, and technically had two home openers - the first against D.C. United at Lincoln Financial Field and the second the official first game at PPL Park against the Seattle Sounders - in the team's inaugural season in 2010.

Through leaked schedules of other MLS teams, and information that MLS has released, the Union are already known to be playing at the Portland Timbers on March 12 (to open the season), versus the Chicago Fire on March 24, at Toronto FC on May 26, versus TFC on July 7 and at Toronto on September 15.

Additionally, the source revealed that the Union will host both the New York Red Bulls and DCU twice at PPL Park in 2012.