Chivas USA Set To Hire Robin Fraser As Head Coach, Report Says

Fraser joined the RSL coaching staff in 2007 along with head coach Jason Kreis. RSL were among the worst teams in the league that first season, but made their first playoff appearance in 2008 and won the MLS Cup in 2009. Although last year did not yield any silverware, RSL finished just three points shy of the Supporters’ Shield and became the first MLS team to win their group in the modern incarnation of the CONCACAF Champions League.

Prior to joining the RSL staff, Fraser had made a name for himself by winning two MLS Defender of the Year awards and making 27 international appearances for the United States National Team. He leaves RSL as one of the hottest head coaching candidates.

To be fair, Chivas USA is nowhere near the least successful franchise in MLS. They have a record of drawing reasonably strong, despite being the obvious second tenant at Home Depot Center, and have been to the playoffs in half of their seasons in existence. They’ve also shown an ability to identify top talent, even if they haven’t been able to hold onto it.

The year before Fraser and Kreis were hired, RSL finished at the bottom of the Western Conference and posted the third worst goal-difference in the league. Within two seasons, RSL made their first ever playoff apperance. In Year 3, RSL won the MLS Cup. Last year, RSL finished second in the race for the Supporters’ Shield and led the league in both goals scored and goals allowed.

This would be Fraser’s first head coaching position and there’s no question it would represent a significant challenge. Judging from his track record, there’s no reason to think he’s not up for it, but there is reason to wonder if he’ll be given a fair chance to succeed.