Fraser set for reunion as TFC faces Rapids

TORONTO — Saturday’s game at BMO Field vs. the Colorado Rapids is a reunion of sorts for Toronto FC coach Robin Fraser, who not only coached Colorado but also played for them. 

Fraser, 59, was a key member of TFC’s coaching staff during the team’s glory years, serving as Greg Vanney’s assistant and right-hand man starting in 2015 before leaving the club to take over as head coach of Colorado in 2019. 

He led the Rapids to back-to-back playoff appearances in his first two full years with the outfit and a first-place finish in the Western Conference in 2021, setting a new club record for most points (61) in a season. He was also a finalist for MLS coach of the year that same season. 

But a disastrous start to the 2023 campaign — just three wins in 26 league games — led to the club firing him. Fraser also spent three seasons (2001 to 2003) of his distinguished MLS playing career in Colorado, collecting a pair of assists in 81 games across all competitions.   

A lot of time has passed since he was let go, but Fraser is still very fond of the city and his former team. 

“I love Denver. … It’s a place I have great affinity for. My kids were born there. It’s a place that I’ve spent a lot of time, and I feel like I grew up in Denver a lot,” Fraser said on Friday. 

“I will always have special feelings about Denver and about my time at the Rapids,” he added. 

All that being said, there is no room for sentimentality for Fraser as this weekend marks the third match of a nine-game run at home for a Toronto side that is unbeaten in three contests and showing signs of life after opening its campaign with back-to-back losses. 

“(Colorado) is another team that we need to get points off. I feel like this homestand for us is really important and the focus is on us and continuing to improve,” Fraser said. 

The recent international break means TFC (2-2-1) have been idle since recording a come-from-behind 2-1 win over the Columbus Crew on March 21. With seven points, the Reds are much further along than they were at the same point last season when they only had a single point from their first five games and didn’t collect their first win until April 19. Fraser wants to see the team continue to build upon its early-season momentum by showing more urgency. 

“I think when we play with urgency, we’re very good, but it’s urgency from the very beginning. I’ve used the term energy a couple of times, but it’s a group that always works. They will always work,” Fraser said. 

“The difference between that and urgency is taking the initiative. I feel like in the games where we have taken the initiative with the ball, without the ball, we’ve been pretty good.” 

New DP forward Josh Sargent is still looking for his first goal after making two appearances (one start) for his new club, totalling just 65 minutes. Thus far he’s recorded three shots on target and looked lively in spurts when he’s featured for Toronto. All that is left for Sargent to do is open his TFC account with a goal.   

“He’s playing extremely well, and for us, it’s been about trying to get him physically in a position where he can do it for all season. And that’s the reason for not throwing him in from the beginning, is building his fitness, his strength, his agility, all the things that he needs to remain healthy throughout the year,” Fraser said.  

Fraser added, “I have very little doubt that he is going to score soon. And certainly, the hope (is that) once he starts, he doesn’t stop.”  

Elsewhere in MLS this weekend: 

• Lionel Messi and Inter Miami host Austin FC on Saturday in its inaugural match at Nu Stadium, a brand new 26,700-seat soccer-specific venue. Miami has called Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale its home since coming into MLS in 2020. It’s also where Miami won last year’s MLS Cup final. 

• The Vancouver Whitecaps (4-1-0) on Saturday will host the Portland Timbers, a rivalry that stretches back to 1975 when both clubs played in the old NASL. The Whitecaps will go into this match without centre back Ralph Priso, who suffered a hamstring injury while playing for the Canadian men’s team earlier this week. 

• CF Montreal (1-4-0) wraps up its six-game road swing to open the season when it visits the New England Revolution on Saturday. Montreal has the second-worst defensive record in MLS with 14 goals against. Montreal acquired midfielder Frankie Amaya on loan from Mexican club Deportivo Toluca FC this week, and he could make his debut for the MLS outfit this weekend.