COMMERCE CITY, Colo. -- Former Colorado Rapids captain Pablo Mastroeni will take over as the team's head coach.
#INSERT type:image caption:Pablo Mastroeni will return to the Rapids as coach. END#
The organization announced Saturday that Mastroeni will replace Oscar Pareja, who left in January to take the same job with his former club, FC Dallas. Mastroeni was in charge of the squad through the preseason after retiring in the offseason.
Mastroeni played 11-plus seasons with the Rapids and departed with several club records, including most games played.
He said it was a "great honor" to take over the team and that he's seen "this team's ability and potential up close over the last two months, and I can't wait for the season to get started."
The Rapids open the season next weekend against the New York Red Bulls.