The Colorado Rapids are considering adding their all-time leading goal scorer to the coaching staff for 2017.
Conor Casey is in consideration for the Rapids assistant coaching position vacated by John Spencer.
“We’re really fond of bringing back former players to the club, people who have lifted trophies for the club,” Rapids president Tim Hinchey said this week. “But when you talk about the all-time goal scoring leader for the Rapids thatap probably No. 1 with a team that needs to score more goals.”
Hinchey confirmed that Spencer had left the club and returned to the U.K. after his one-year contract expired.
Casey, who lifted the MLS Cup with Colorado in 2010 and was named the game’s MVP, was with the Rapids at the MLS combine in Los Angeles earlier this month.
The former Denver South High School star scored 50 goals with Colorado from 2007-12.
Hinchey described Casey as someone who’s very “cerebral.”
“He’s a very, very smart person,” Hinchey said. “He’s already gone through and got his coaching B license while he was still a player, so he’s very motivated.”
Hinchey said the club had also interviewed five other candidates for the assistant coaching position, but declined to give names.
“Don’t forget, (Casey) played for some of the best clubs in Germany, including, he played for (current Liverpool manager Jurgen) Klopp,” Hinchey said. “From an attacking perspective, Liverpool is probably one of the most attacking teams in the Premier League. So to play for those kind of managers, that practical experience adds to the coaching staff.”
