Wolde Harris returns to Colorado Rapids as being one of two brand new aide trainers

Interesting article by Chase Howell from The Denver Post discussing several important news items for the week. Chase Howell recently published this and I thought it was a great post for posting on this website.

Wolde Harris is back with the Colorado Rapids. This time as a coach.

The Rapids are adding the former striker and Chris Little as assistant coaches, the team announced on Friday.

“We’re delighted to strengthen our technical staff with coaches of Wolde’s and Chris’ quality,” general manager Padraig Smith said in a news release. “Wolde’s experience and familiarity with our club, both as a former Rapids player and as a member of the Switchbacks’ coaching staff, will be a great asset for (head coach) Robin (Fraser) and our technical staff. We’re equally excited to welcome Chris to the club, as he brings a wealth of experience in developing players, which is a key focus for us as we continue to build toward a model of sustainable success.”

Harris has been an assistant coach with the Colorado Springs Switchbacks since 2015. The Jamaican native originally joined the Rapids in 1997 after being named the A-League Rookie of the Year with the Colorado Foxes. He spent three seasons with the Rapids before moving around and returning to the Rapids in 2005.

“We are very excited to have hired Wolde,” Rapids head coach Robin Fraser said. “He’s had vast experience playing professionally here and abroad, as well as an illustrious international career. He is the rare find of an attacker who has an excellent overall view of the game. Our attacking players will benefit greatly from Wolde being here.”

Little is the former head coach of the Tacoma Defiance, which plays in the USL Championship and is involved with the Seattle Sounders academy.

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“We are extremely pleased to have been able to hire Chris,” Fraser said. “He is one of the premier minds in the country in terms of developing players. Given the model of how we want to move forward as an organization, Chris is an ideal fit for us.”

Little, a native of Scotland, has spent 20 years in the United States coaching at both the college and professional levels. He is best known for his ability to build academies and develop youth talent. He is expected to put specific emphasis on youth development and integrating youth talent in his role with the Rapids.

Little and Harris will join Neil Emblen (assistant coach), Chris Sharpe (assistant and goalkeeping coach) and Jase Kim (analyst) to fill out Fraser’s staff.

Preseason officially begins March 8 with the regular season kicking off April 17.