Toronto FC has chosen a familiar face, selecting Robin Fraser as its new head coach.
The former elite defender served as a key assistant coach to Greg Vanney during Toronto’s glory days, including the 2017 Triple Crown season, before leaving in August 2019 to take over as head coach of the Colorado Rapids.
Frazier was fired in September 2023, when an injury-plagued Colorado team went 3-13-10 in the MLS basement (Chris Armas was fired by Toronto in July 2021 fired and eventually replaced him as coach of the Rapids). Fraser most recently served as chief sports consultant for CT United FC, an expansion team in the second tier of MLS Next Pro.
“Robin has had one of the most accomplished careers in Major League Soccer, combining extensive experience as a player and coach,” Toronto general manager Jason Hernandez said in a statement. “As a Human being, he embodies the values of our club to the fullest and as a coach we have full confidence in his ability to achieve sporting success.
“Robin’s commitment to winning has resulted in trophies in the Eastern and Western Conferences, and we look forward to the work ahead in building TFC into the annual contender our ownership and supporters deserve.”
Hernandez played two seasons (2017-18) under Frazier in Toronto.
The 58-year-old Fraser’s contract will last until the 2027 season, and he will become TFC’s 15th head coach.
Friday’s announcement comes nearly 10 years since Fraser first joined Toronto (Jan. 7, 2015).
TFC ranks 11th in the Eastern Conference with a record of 11 wins, 19 losses and 4 losses, missing the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. TFC has been without a coach since John Herdman stepped down on November 29 after more than a season at the helm.
Fraser, a close friend and confidant of Varney, led the LA Galaxy to the MLS Cup title in December. In hiring Fraser, TFC clearly hoped he would help the team regain some of its previous identity as champions.
“Rebuilding this club using MLS experience, TFC pedigree and championship pedigree provides the team with a unique advantage and is aligned with With Jason Hernandez as General Manager and Robin as Head Coach, TFC’s leadership structure is well-positioned for the club’s pursuit of glory in the coming years.”
In October, Pelley promised a “complete rebuild”, saying the club had lost its direction and identity.
Fraser is also known for his work with young players, an area where TFC has had mixed results of late.
Still, he’s had a tough job with this team since he last joined the team.
Since the team’s last playoff appearance in 2020, the Toronto Raptors have gone 30-75-31 in Major League Soccer (MLS) and sit 26th in the Supporters’ Shield standings , 27th, 29th and 22nd.
TFC ranked 22nd in defense last season, allowing 1.79 goals per game. Despite being tied for 25th in the league in goals scored (1.18 goals per game), Toronto chose not to renew the contract of leading scorer Prince Owusu (nine goals).
The future of high-priced Italian star Lorenzo Insigne is in doubt as the player reported a medical over the weekend. Toronto could use help at every position except goalie.
“We need to improve in every aspect,” captain Jonathan Osorio said Thursday at MLS Media Day in Miami. “It’s that simple
Outside of the MLS SuperDraft, the only other offseason player is Brazilian winger Thiago Andrade, acquired from New York City FC in a draft-day trade via San Diego FC. The 24-year-old has been out on loan over the past two seasons, first at Atlético Paraná in Brazil and last season at Shenzhen Pengcheng FC in China.
Fraser began his career with the Colorado Foxes of the American Soccer League before joining Major League Soccer (MLS) in its inaugural season in 1996. The fourth overall pick in the 1996 MLS draft, he went on to play for the Los Angeles Galaxy (1996-2000), Colorado Rapids (2001-03) and Columbus Crew (2004-05).
As a player, Fraser twice won the Supporters’ Shield and the CONCACAF Champions League. A five-time MLS All-Star, he was twice named MLS Defender of the Year.
In December 2010, Fraser was named one of the 25 greatest LS players by a panel of nearly 200 MLS experts (former Toronto FC players Dwayne De Rosario and Sebastian Giovinco also made the list).
Internationally, Frazier made 27 appearances for the U.S. Men’s National Team.
In 2019, when introducing Frazier as Colorado coach, then-general manager (now president) Padraig Smith called Frazier “the most decorated player in the history of Major League Soccer.” one of the people”.
Fraser and Varney have a deep connection.
Varney, Frazier and another former TFC assistant coach, Dan Calichman, who is now part of Varney’s staff in Los Angeles, all serve as Galaxy captains, with Frazier following Calichman Mann captained the side, with Varney wearing the armband behind Fraser in Coby Jones’ absence. Fraser and Varney played in the same Galaxy defense in the 1996 and 1999 MLS Cup.
Frazier was the head coach of the now-defunct Chivas USA (2011-2012) and Varney was a member of his coaching staff. Before joining Toronto in 2015, Fraser also served as an assistant coach with Real Salt Lake City (2007-2010) and the New York Red Bulls (2013-2014).
He’s 47-48-34 at the helm of Colorado, including a first-place finish in the Western Conference (with a club-record 61 points) in 2021 when he was runner-up for MLS Coach of the Year.
Fraser won MLS Cup titles as an assistant coach with Real Salt Lake (2009) and Toronto (2017).
The addition of Toronto makes the Vancouver Whitecaps the only team in Major League Soccer (MLS) to fill a coaching vacancy.
