The Colorado Rapids have spoken with Columbus Crew SC assistant Josh Wolff (pictured above), ex-Venezuela national team manager Cesar Farias, former Blackburn head coach Henning Berg and Stanford University head coach Jeremy Gunn about their head coaching position, a source confirmed to MLSsoccer.com on Wednesday.
The source added that the quartet do not represent the club’s top four candidates.
SB Nation blog Burgundy Wave spotted Farias at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Saturday. The Denver Post first reported the broader discussions earlier on Wednesday afternoon.
The Rapids fired former head coach Pablo Mastroeni on August 15. Steve Cooke has led the team on an interim basis since Mastroeni’s dismissal, compiling a 1W-4L-1D record in six games in charge, including a win at Houston and a home draw against NYCFC in Colorado's last two matches.
Team spokesman Ryan Madden told The Denver Post and later confirmed to MLSsoccer.com on Wednesday that the Rapids were contacted by more than 100 candidates about the job. They also hired an outside data analytics firm to identify other targets. Madden said Colorado hope to cull the larger list to a final four or five in the coming weeks, with the goal of having a hire in place by Nov. 1.
Madden also said that Cooke is still in the running and is expected to be a finalist for the full-time job. He wouldn't confirm that the club had spoken to the other four candidates.
Rapids interim GM Padraig Smith said after dismissing Mastroeni that Colorado wanted a head coach that would play a more attacking style of soccer. The Rapids are currently last in the league with 26 points in 28 games and are 21st in MLS with just 26 goals scored.
The Rapids will look to move their unbeaten run to three games on Saturday at the West-leading Vancouver Whitecaps (10 pm ET; MLS LIVE in the US | TSN in Canada).
