Claudio Lopez Returns to Rapids as Director of Soccer
December 19, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release
The Colorado Rapids has moved to bolster its backroom staff ahead of the 2015 season, with the news that former striker Claudio Lopez has agreed to the role of Director of Soccer and Assistant Coach.
Lopez, 40, scored more than 150 goals during an 18-year playing career with some of Europe and South and Central America's biggest clubs, including Lazio, Valencia, Club America and Racing Club. He also featured at the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cups for Argentina, for whom he represented on more than 50 occasions.
"I talked this move over with my family and friends, and decided that - because we felt very well during our stay in Colorado - we would be very happy to come back to Denver and try to help the Rapids,' Lopez said.
"What I can do is support Pablo, and support the guys, and try to push the players to do better things in the field. I can help to change a few things, also, which may help to have a better season next year."
This role marks a return to the club at which he ended his playing career. He spent the 2010 season with the Rapids, at the end of which the club's current head coach Pablo Mastroeni lifted the MLS Cup. In all, Lopez made 11 regular season appearances for the Rapids.
He also featured in the second leg of the 2010 MLS Playoff semifinal, against Columbus Crew, appearing as a substitute as the tie approached overtime. His experienced, cool head was vital as the contest went to a penalty shoot-out. Lopez scored the penultimate spot-kick as the Rapids went through.
"He's played at the highest level, for both his country and some great clubs across the world, so brings a lot of great experience" said Rapids head coach, Pablo Mastroeni. "The other angle is the offensive part of it. He's a great identifier of talent and, in that role, can help continue to build this good group of attacking players that we have.
"On the field, he's going to be able to work specifically with players that we feel can use that one-on-one type of work, with a guy who can specialize in the finishing aspect of the game."
During his playing career, Lopez was a member of the Valencia side beaten in the final of the UEFA Champions League by Real Madrid in 2000. The Madrid team contained another former Rapids player, Aitor Karanka. The transfer fee which then took him from Valencia to Lazio that same year was in the region of $44m.
Lopez will work closely with Rapids' VP of Soccer Operations, Paul Bravo, but will also assist Mastroeni and his current coaching staff of Steve Cooke and Chris Sharpe.
He is due to start on January 1, and joins Sporting Director Pádraig Smith as another key offseason addition.
Major League Soccer Stories from December 19, 2014
- Houston Dynamo to Open 2015 Season on March 7 at BBVA Compass Stadium vs. Columbus Crew SC - Houston Dynamo FC
- Chicago Fire Sign David Accam - Chicago Fire FC
- Landon Donovan Receives Lifetime Achievement Award - LA Galaxy
- Claudio Lopez Returns to Rapids as Director of Soccer - Colorado Rapids
- Marco Pappa and Landon Donovan Take Home Awards at Inaugural Premios Univision Deportes - MLS
- Marco Pappa Wins MLS Player of the Year Honor at Premios Univision - Seattle Sounders FC
- Brek Shea Signs with Orlando City SC - Orlando City SC
- Sounders FC to Open 2015 Season at Home on March 8 - Seattle Sounders FC
- New York Red Bulls to Open Franchise's 20th Season at Sporting KC - New York Red Bulls
- LA Galaxy to Open 2015 MLS Season March 6 at StubHub Center - LA Galaxy
- Whitecaps FC to Host Toronto FC in 2015 MLS Season Opener - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- New England Revolution to Open 20th Season of MLS on Sunday, March 8 - New England Revolution
- Rapids to Take on NYC FC in 2015 Home Opener - Colorado Rapids
- Real Salt Lake to Host 2015 Home Opener on Saturday, March 14 - Real Salt Lake
- Chicago Fire Host Opening Day at Toyota Park on March 14 - Chicago Fire FC
- Montreal Impact to Play 2015 Home Opener on March 28 - Club de Foot Montreal
- MLS and National Broadcast Partners Open 20th Season with Six Marquee Matches - MLS
- MLS Announces Home Opening Dates for 2015 Season - Toronto FC
- D.C. United Announces 2015 MLS Home Opener - D.C. United
- Philadelphia Union to Host Colorado for 2015 Season Opener - Philadelphia Union
- Orlando City Will Face New York City FC in MLS Home Opener at Citrus Bowl - Orlando City SC
- Timbers to Face Western Conference Foe Real Salt Lake in Home Opener - Portland Timbers
- Columbus Crew SC to Open Home Schedule on March 14 - Columbus Crew SC
- Sporting KC to Open 2015 Season at Home on March 8 - Sporting Kansas City
- Earthquakes to Open Avaya Stadium on Sunday, March 22 against Chicago Fire on National Television - San Jose Earthquakes
- Real Salt Lake Trades Sebastian Velasquez to New York City FC - Real Salt Lake
- San Jose Earthquakes Select Marvell Wynne in 2nd Stage of MLS Re-Entry Draft - Colorado Rapids
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