Before the Colorado Rapids and Major League Soccer, one of America's best pro soccer teams called Parker home.

Why it matters: The Colorado Foxes trained in Stroh Ranch, won two national titles, beat an English Premier League team and nearly put its hometown at the center of pro soccer's growth in the U.S.

Flashback: In 1989, the Western Soccer League awarded Stroh Ranch Development an expansion team. German buisnessperson Martin Nixdorf helped oversee his family's investment and launched the Colorado Foxes.

• He envisioned the team as part of soccer's rise in America.

Yes, but: The Foxes didn't play in Parker. Players trained in Stroh Ranch and the team operated an office there.

• Matches were at Jefferson County Stadium, Englewood Stadium and, later, Mile High Stadium.

By the numbers: After joining the American Professional Soccer League — then the highest level of outdoor professional soccer in America — the Foxes won championships in 1992 and 1993.

• In '93, the Foxes also beat Norwich City Football Club — then in England's Premier League — in an exhibition match.

Nixdorf "was really committed to making [soccer] work in the U.S.," Rich Karlis, the former Denver Broncos kicker and a former Foxes executive, tells Axios.

And there were larger ambitions.

• Then-Foxes president Bob Healey said in 1991 he wanted a $35 million, soccer-only stadium at Challenger Park — near Lincoln Avenue — that could grow to 35,000 seats.
• "What's in the works ... is an idea," he told the Rocky Mountain News.
• But the project never happened.

Catch up quick: MLS approached Nixdorf in the mid-1990s about joining the fledgling league.

• But disagreements over MLS' structure and tensions with U.S. soccer leadership led Nixdorf to decline, Karlis says.
• Philip Anschutz became an MLS investor, and the Rapids began play in 1996.

Threat level: The Foxes moved to Mile High Greyhound Park.

• The team sold in 1997 and became the San Diego Flash, which folded in 2001.

The bottom line: Watch the World Cup and remember that a Parker-based team once sat at a crossroads in American soccer history — and picked a different path.

Pass to a footie fan

Denver wasn't selected to host World Cup matches this summer, but that doesn't mean you're shut out of the fun.

The big picture: Who's got $2 million for a seat, anyways?

• Instead, hit up these four Denver spots to watch your favorite team(s) kick off starting today.
• The tournament runs through July 19.

Skyline Park

• Want the closest thing to a fan fest? The Colorado Rapids have teamed up with the Downtown Denver Partnership and Street Soccer USA to host free outdoor watch parties. That means enormous screens and lots of fans.
• Be sure to reserve a spot first.

DNVR Bar

• This popular East Colfax sports bar will show every World Cup match and plans dedicated watch parties for all three of the U.S. team's opening-round games.

Moodswing

• A massive 9-by-16-foot indoor LED screen — plus additional TVs and projections? Sold. The venue is also hosting U.S. and Mexico watch parties.

Number Thirty Eight

• This is a RiNo favorite among USA, Brazil, Germany, Japan and Mexico supporters. There'll also be giveaways, dedicated watch parties and game-day packages for groups of up to 10.

Share with a football — no, that kind of football — follower

☕️ Lone Tree City Council approved rezoning and a site improvement plan for a Dutch Bros Coffee between 7430 and 7350 Park Meadows Drive. The 950-square-foot shop will have dual drive-through lanes, a covered walk-up window and patio space.

• Construction is expected to begin next year.

A Douglas County youth roller hockey coach was arrested after investigators alleged he sexually exploited multiple minors through Snapchat communications, inappropriate touching and gift-giving. Rory Nathaniel Mushlin, 40, faces multiple felony charges. (Parker Chronicle)

✏️ The Douglas County School Board narrowly approved plans for Renaissance Secondary Charter School's expansion into elementary grades. The 4–3 vote included conditions tied to enrollment and finances amid concerns about demand. (Douglas County News-Press)

🚴🏽 Castle Rock will host a free Bike to Work Day breakfast June 24 at Festival Park for bicyclists, walkers, runners and carpoolers. Participants who register are entered into a prize drawing,

Parker Days is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and I've seen most of them.

Zoom in: The festival has played an outsized role in my life since my family moved to town in 1986.

• I distinctly remember crying on the Flying Bobs ride with my friend James when I was 11.
• And I freaked out on the Zipper a year later.

But no — really — I've had lots of fun there, too.

• Like when I was a teenager and went with my date — now my wife — and we people-watched and laughed the whole night.
• Or, 20 years later, when we took our kids and drained our bank account on rides and carnival games and funnel cakes.

Flashback: My favorite time, though?

• The couple days before the festival, when the rides arrive on the hill above town and workers start setting up.

I stroll the small area at night — when no one's around and everything's plugged in and glowing.

• I walk in the shadows and smile at the bursts of neon.

The bottom line: In that quiet moment, Parker Days is just for me.

🎡 Parker Days starts today at 1pm. The festival opens tomorrow at 4pm.

What's your favorite Parker Days memory? Hit reply and let me know.