Yanks Soccer

Today, the Rapids and head coach Fernando Clavijo decided to part ways.  Clavijo had not only overseen 3 mediocre years for the Rapids, but he recently had go back to his native Uruguay to take care of a family medical emergency.  Assistant coach Gary Smith has been managing training and was the coach in Colorado’s 2-1 win over Kansas City last weekend.

This is what the club had to say on their official website:

“We appreciate all that Fernando has done for this team over the last four years and wish him and his family the best,” said Rapids’ managing director Jeff Plush. “He has worked tirelessly on behalf of our organization and brought us some of our greatest successes. We are poised to achieve great things, and when we do we will look back fondly and appreciatively of Fernando’s tenure with our club.”

This was a move that was waiting to happen.  Last off-season, Clavijo almost left the club when they expected him to resign after a poor showing, but Clavijo held on for his life and Colorado didn’t fire him.

Clavijo’s departure was going to come about one way or another, and it’s good that the he and the club agreed to part ways mutually.  Colorado is still in trouble though.  They are a very poorly managed team, and until that is worked out, it will be tough for any coach to turn around the Rapids.

What do you think of Clavijo’s departure?  Is it a good move for Clavijo?  What about the Rapids?  Thoughts go below.