For the time being, Conor Casey is back in the Major League Soccer spotlight. Except this time, you won’t be hearing Casey’s name because of his goalscoring talents.
The longtime domestic and international striker has taken over as interim coach of the Colorado Rapids from Anthony Hudson, whom the club parted ways with on Wednesday. Casey, 37, has been an assistant coach for the Western Conference side since 2017, so he’s familiar with the club’s players and inner workings.
But Casey’s association with the Rapids extends onto the other side of the touchline, too. He helped Colorado win their only MLS Cup in 2010, scoring in the 2-1 win over FC Dallas and taking home MVP honors.
Casey played for the Rapids from 2007-12, scoring 50 goals for the club to lead their record books. He also has MLS stops with Toronto FC, Philadelphia Union and Columbus Crew SC, retiring from the latter in 2016 with 71 all-time goals scored.
His playing career also extended to the US national team, where he scored twice across 19 caps. Those two goals famously came during an October 2009 World Cup qualifier in Honduras, a 3-2 win that sent the USMNT to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. He also appeared in the 2009 Confederations Cup, which the US lost in the final to Brazil.
After starring collegiately at the University of Portland, Casey went to Germany, where a seven-year stint began with Borussia Dortmund in 2000. Other stops included Hannover 96, Karlsruher SC and Mainz 05, the latter of which saw him make 40 appearances for current Liverpool FC manager Jurgen Klopp.
For all his accomplishments, Casey enters a difficult situation in Colorado, as they’re the only side to remain winless in 2019. The Rapids’ minus-12 goal differential and 24 goals against are also worst in the league.
The club underwent a minor facelift this past offseason, adding MLS-proven players such as strikers Kei Kamara and Diego Rubio, as well as outside back Keegan Rosenberry.
The chance to right the ship comes right away, with Colorado set to host the Vancouver Whitecaps for Friday Night MLS on Altitude (TICKETS).
