COMMERCE CITY — As interim head coach of the Rapids in the wake of Pablo Mastroeni’s firing last week, Steve Cooke faces a daunting challenge trying to stop the slide of a team that is winless in its last six games and plays its next four on the road.
But Cooke learned about hard work and overcoming adversity growing up among the working class of Sheffield, England. His grandfather was a coal miner for 48 years. His father was a steelworker.
“When you’re from a place like I’m from, it’s a non-negotiable when you’re growing up that you have to put your time in and fight for everything,” said Cooke, 48.