COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – The Colorado Rapids hired Toronto FC assistant Robin Fraser as the club’s next head coach, the club announced Sunday morning.
“We are excited to welcome Robin Fraser to our club,” Rapids executive vice president and general manager Padraig Smith said in a statement. “He brings with him a wealth of experience, strong tactical acumen and a deep knowledge of what it takes to be successful in MLS. He is hugely respected by players and coaches around the league and has earned this reputation over the course of a distinguished career as a player and coach. We are thrilled to have someone of Robin’s caliber join our team at this time as we plan for what will be one of the most important offseasons in the club’s history.”
The news was first reported by local outlet 9News.
Fraser will take over coaching duties from Conor Casey, who has been managing the Rapids on an interim basis since the May 1 firing of Anthony Hudson.
“We are incredibly grateful to Conor Casey for the commendable job he has done in guiding the team through the past three and a half months as the interim head coach,” said Smith. “A club legend as a player on the field, Conor has played a key role during this transition period.”
Fraser, 52, has spent the past 12 seasons as a Major League Soccer coach, but this will be his first head coaching role in the league since managing the now defunct Chivas USA from 2011-12. Prior to Toronto FC, he also served as an assistant with Real Salt Lake (2007-10) and the New York Red Bulls (2013-14).
“I’m thrilled to be back with the Colorado Rapids and eager to lead this club forward into what I believe can be a successful period in the club’s history,” said Fraser. “I consider Colorado to be home, I’ve played here, coached here and I know the soccer community in this state. I’m committed to the club’s vision and I’m excited to work with this strong group of players and especially the nucleus of young, talented players we have at the club.”
Fraser has won MLS Cups with Toronto (2017) and Salt Lake (2009), as well as the Supporters Shield with Toronto (2017) and New York (2015).
Prior to his coaching career, Fraser played 10 seasons in MLS with stops at the LA Galaxy, Colorado Rapids and Columbus Crew. He also played from 1990-95 for the Colorado Foxes in the American Professional Soccer League.
As a player, Fraser won MLS Defender of the Year in 1999 and 2004.
At the international level, the Jamaican-born Fraser earned 27 caps with the U.S. men’s national team from 1988-2001.
Fraser will be introduced to the media in a press conference on Tuesday at 1 p.m. MDT.