On August 19, the Colorado Rapids announced that former players Chris Martinez and Marcelo Balboa have joined the coaching staff for the team’s Development Academy.
Chris Martinez has been hired as the Program Director and U18 coach because he “brings a wealth of youth coaching experience which will only benefit in the development of our players across all age groups,” according to Paul Bravo, Vice President of Soccer Operations for the Rapids. Martinez was a defender for the Rapids from 1997-2001 (named Defender of the Year for the team in 2001), and was most recently Real Colorado’s Director of Player Development, as well as co-founder of Footability.