COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — The Colorado Rapids announced today that head coach Robin Fraser has signed a four-year contract extension with the club through the 2025 MLS season.
“We are excited to secure Robin as our head coach for the next four years,” said Josh Kroenke, Vice Chairman of Kroenke Sports & Entertainment. “Robin has proven himself to be among the elite coaches in MLS. His coaching acumen, personality and attention to detail make him an ideal fit to help us continue to compete at the top of MLS for years to come.”
Fraser’s extension follows a historic 2021 season that saw him named a finalist for the Sigi Schmid MLS Coach of the Year award after leading the Rapids to a club-record 61 points and a first-place finish in the Western Conference for the first time in club history. Since Fraser’s first match as Rapids head coach on Aug. 31, 2019, Colorado’s 1.76 points per game are tied for the most in MLS with a 32W-16L-15D regular season record in that time. In two full seasons in charge, Fraser has led the Rapids to consecutive playoff appearances for the first time since 2010-11.
“I’m extremely happy to be signing with the Rapids for an extended period of time,” said Fraser. “This team is still in its infancy, in terms of where we want to go, so I am genuinely excited about the opportunity to continue this project. I’ve truly enjoyed working with this group of players and this incredible technical staff and am very much looking forward to what we can accomplish together. I’m grateful to Stan and Josh Kroenke, Team Governor Matt Hutchings, Pádraig Smith and the entire KSE organization for the opportunity to continue here and for their unwavering support.”
Fraser, 55, was named the ninth permanent head coach in Rapids history on August 25, 2019. The Kingston, Jamaica, native arrived with over a dozen years of coaching experience in MLS, previously serving as assistant coach with Real Salt Lake (2007-11), head coach of Chivas USA (2011-12), assistant coach with New York Red Bulls (2013-14) and assistant coach with Toronto FC (2015-19). In that span, Fraser’s teams won two Supporters’ Shields (NYRB & Toronto), won three Canadian Championships (Toronto), reached the Concacaf Champions League Final (Toronto) and reached three MLS Cup Finals, ultimately winning an MLS Cup with Real Salt Lake and Toronto FC each.
“We are thrilled to extend Robin’s time with the club for another four years,” said Pádraig Smith, Colorado Rapids Executive VP & General Manager. “Robin is one of the league’s most respected and accomplished coaches, and in his short time with the team so far, we’ve seen how he can help lead the club in our constant pursuit of winning MLS Cup. Robin’s leadership, work ethic and ability get the best out of our players through his coaching make him the perfect fit for our club. We are incredibly excited for what the next few years holds with Robin as our head coach. Securing his long-term future with the Rapids is another sign of our ownership’s commitment to not only growing the sport here in Colorado and the US but to bringing another title back to Colorado.”
Prior to coaching, Fraser enjoyed an illustrious playing career as defender in MLS from its inaugural season in 1996 through 2005, including three seasons with the Colorado Rapids (2001-03). He was part of Supporters’ Shield-winning sides LA Galaxy (1998) and Columbus Crew (2004) and was named MLS Defender of the Year twice along with being selected to the MLS Best XI five times during his 18-year playing career. At an international level, Fraser earned 28 caps with the U.S. Men’s National Team, featuring in the 1999 Confederations Cup and 2000 Gold Cup. In December 2020, Fraser was included among The 25 Greatest players in the MLS history.
