Colorado Rapids add two assistant coaches, Seattle Sounders appoint new Tacoma Defiance coach

The Colorado Rapids announced on Friday that they’ve hired Wolde Harris and Chris Little as assistant coaches ahead of the 2021 MLS season, bolstering head coach Robin Fraser’s staff.

Little was previously the head coach of USL Tacoma Defiance of the USL Championship, creating an opening in the Seattle Sounders’ second team. That’s been filled by Wade Webber, who spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach for Tacoma.

“We’re delighted to strengthen our technical staff with coaches of Wolde’s and Chris’ quality,” Padraig Smith, Rapids executive VP & general manager, said in a 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 Robin and our technical staff.

Harris joins Colorado after being an assistant coach for Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in the USL Championship since 2015. During his own MLS playing days, the Jamaica native scored 51 goals and handed out 31 assists across 194 games, including four seasons with Colorado. He also made 28 appearances for Jamaica’s national team and scored seven goals.

In Colorado, Little will focus on developing and integrating young players from the Rapids academy into their first team. The Scotland native was previously Tacoma head coach and director of coaching for Seattle’s academy.

“We’re equally excited to welcome Chris to the club,” Smith said, “as he brings a wealth of experience in developing young players, which is a key focus for us as we continue to build toward a model of sustainable success.”

Webber played for Seattle during their USL era and worked in Tacoma under former head coaches John Hutchinson (2018) and Little (2019-20). During three MLS seasons, the Washington native had two goals and two assists in 53 matches.

In Tacoma, Webber will work alongside previous Sounders U-17 head coach Mike Morris and Sounders academy and USL goalkeeper coach Josh Ford. They’ve both been promoted to assistant coach at the USL level.

“We are excited to elevate Wade Webber, who has worked side-by-side with Chris and the rest of our development staff for the past five years,” Sounders general manager and president of soccer Garth Lagerwey said in a release. “It’s always a privilege to be able to promote from within and reward people instrumental to our success with new opportunities. We have full confidence in Wade and look forward to the leadership that he, Mike Morris and Josh Ford can provide."