COMMERCE CITY, CO (August 15, 2017) – The Colorado Rapids have parted ways with Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni after four seasons with the club he spent most of his playing career with. Assistant Coach Steve Cooke has been named Interim Head Coach. All other coaches will remain in their current roles.
RUMOR: Pablo Mastroeni Fired As Colorado Rapids Head Coach
The Colorado Rapids are currently second to last in the Western Conference after nearly winning the Supporter’s Shield in 2016. The season hasn’t gone well for a number of reasons. This was set to be their third time missing the playoffs in the Mastroeni Era.
Mastroeni was appointed as Head Coach prior to the 2014 season. He had a record of 38-51-35 over four seasons, with a 6-12-4 record this year. They had made the playoffs just once under his guidance.
The 40-year-old played college soccer at North Carolina State University. He spent four years with the Miami Fusion in MLS until they folded. He arrived at the Colorado Rapids, where he played 225 games and was the captain for their 2010 MLS Cup Championship. He retired in 2013 after being traded to the LA Galaxy. He took over for the Rapids as Head Coach that next season.
“We would like to thank Pablo for his contributions to this organization, both as a player and as head coach. He has been dedicated to the growth of this club for over 15 years and played an instrumental role in many of our successes. Unfortunately, we have fallen short of our expectations, and this decision was taken in the best interest of the players and the organization as a whole,” said Rapids Sporting Director and Interim General Manager, Pádraig Smith.
Cooke’s background is in development coaching with Sheffield Wednesday as well as Sereno Soccer Club and SC del Sol in Phoenix, AZ. He joined the Rapids Development Academy in 2010. In 2012, Oscar Pareja appointed him as an assistant coach with the first team. He has been in that role with Mastroeni since 2014.
Following Thursday’s training session, the Rapids will host a live Q&A with fans and media, via YouTube, at 12:30pm MT with Rapids Sporting Director and Interim General Manager Pádraig Smith. Stay tuned to coloradorapids.com for more information.
