Nationwide
Technical Staff

Paul Bravo
Technical Director
 
On January 9, 2009, the Colorado Rapids announced that the club’s all-time leading scorer, Paul Bravo, had been named the team’s Technical Director. Bravo re-joins the Rapids having served as the Director of Soccer with the LA Galaxy the past two years.
 
In his newly-created position, Bravo will oversee the club’s domestic and international scouting, the Rapids Youth Academy and support the Rapids coaching staff in first team operations.
 
Bravo returns to the Rapids after one of the most successful playing careers in the team’s 14-year history. As a forward for the Rapids from 1997-2001, he helped lead Colorado to the 1997 MLS Cup and was the first player in Rapids history to record 100 points. With 39 career goals with the Rapids, he still sits atop the record books as Colorado’s all-time leading scorer. On July 4, 2003, the three-time MLS All Star was one of two players to be the first-ever inductees into the Rapids “Gallery of Honor”.
 
Following his six-year MLS career that saw him play with the San Jose Clash in 1996 and the Rapids, Bravo moved directly into coaching, serving as an assistant coach with Colorado from 2002-2003.
 
After his time with the Rapids, Bravo served as an assistant coach at UCLA for the 2004 and 2005 seasons, serving under Jorge Salcedo, helping the Bruins to two Pac-10 Championships and a two-year record of 26-9-5. During his two years in Westwood, Bravo recruited a number of players who have gone on to successful careers in MLS and Europe, as well as with the U.S. National Team, including Jonathan Bornstein, Benny Feilhaber, Kamani Hill, Marvell Wynne, Sal Zizzo and more.
 
Originally hired as an assistant coach under Frank Yallop with the LA Galaxy in June 2006, Bravo was elevated to the title of Director of Soccer on August 24, 2007.

Bravo finished his MLS playing career with 52 goals and 27 assists. Prior to his major league career, he played for the San Francisco Bay Blackhawks from 1991-94 and captured the 1991 APSL Championship with the club. In 1994, he also played with the San Francisco Greek-Americans, leading them to the U.S. Open Cup championship.
 
Bravo made four appearances for the U.S. National Team from 1994-1999, scoring one goal and registering an assist. Bravo made his National Team debut on December 11, 1994, replacing Mike Burns for the final eight minutes of a 1-1 draw with Honduras. Nearly five years late, Bravo earned his first career start for the U.S. on July 30, 1999 in a 2-0 win over Germany at the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup in Mexico. Four days later, on August 3, Bravo scored his first goal for the U.S., scoring the game-winner in the 28th minute of a 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia in the 3rd place game of that same tournament.
 
While in college, Bravo led Santa Clara University to the 1989 NCAA Co-Championship, finishing his Broncos career with 26 goals and 13 assists. He earned a degree in Political Science from Santa Clara in 1993.
 
Bravo has also worked as a coach for the Under-18 Men’s U.S. National Team and was an assistant coach for the Region IV 88’s in 2003 and the 89s’ in 2004. He also holds a USSF "A" Coaching License.
 
Gary Smith
Head Coach

Gary Smith was introduced as the sixth head coach in Colorado Rapids history on November 11, 2008.
 
Smith assumes the head coach position having served as the Rapids’ interim head coach during the club’s final 11 matches of the 2008 regular season. Within that time period, Colorado tied for the fourth most points earned (17) in Major League Soccer and worked their way back into the playoff chase only to have their postseason plans dashed in the final minute of a 1-1 season finale draw with Real Salt Lake.
 
Smith’s record of 5-4-2 included a month of undefeated play in September and three road victories. By comparison, the Rapids had only one road win in nine matches before Smith’s arrival.
 
Originally joining the Rapids’ organization in February 2008 as an assistant coach, Smith brought with him 10 years of experience as a professional player and full-time coach in the English FA.
 
A UEFA “A” badge holder, Smith began his coaching career with Wimbledon F.C. as a senior level coach. In 2004, he became the assistant first team coach for the Wycombe Wanderers. Following the resignation of Wycombe head coach Tony Adams, now the head coach at Portsmouth, Smith filled the role as interim head coach leading the club to a 4-0 record under his guidance.
 
Smith moved to the position of reserve team coach for Watford F.C in 2005. During his first season with the club, the First Team was promoted to the Premiership.
 
Throughout 2007, Smith served as a scout for the Rapids’ partner club Arsenal F.C in Spain.
 
As a professional player, Smith spent four years with Fulham, two years with Barnet F.C. and one year with Colchester United before injuries forced him into a premature retirement.
 
Smith and partner Emma Penn reside in Stapleton with their three children, Millie (5) and twins and Sonny and Summer (2).
 
Steve Guppy
Assistant Coach

Steve Guppy comes to Colorado and joins the MLS coaching ranks having served as a player/assistant coach for the Rochester Rhinos last year. Guppy holds over 15 years of professional experience in the highest levels of competitive soccer in Europe and North America.
 
A native of Winchester, England, Guppy's career includes stints with Southampton (1989), Wycombe Wanderers (1989-94, 2004-05), Newcastle United (1994), Port Vale (1994-97), Leicester City (1997-2000), and Celtic F.C. (2001-04).
 
Guppy made his MLS debut with a five-game stint with D.C. United during the 2005 season. He then returned to the English leagues in 2006-07 with Stevenage Borough F.C. Recently, Guppy spent three months training with Aston Villa, as he prepared for the 2008 USL-1 season.
 
A crowning moment in his storied playing career was when Guppy earned a national team cap, playing the entire match for England on October 10, 1999 in a 2-1 victory against Belgium.
 
David Kramer
Goalkeeper Coach

David Kramer returns to the Rapids for another season having first joined the Rapids’ technical staff in June 2008. Most recently, the USSF “A” license holder served as the Director of Coaching for the Colorado Edge Soccer Club.
Throughout his eight-year MLS career with Los Angeles, San Jose, and Colorado, he posted a 1.76 goals against average with 15 shutouts in 106 matches with 98 starts. Kramer appeared in 42 games for the Rapids from 2000-2002, including eight playoff matches.
His professional career began with the Monterey Bay Jaguars in 1995, helping team to USISL Western Division championship. Kramer also played with the Colorado Foxes of the A-League in 1997.
The Cupertino, California native, earned his degree in industrial technology at Fresno State, where he played nearly every minute of four-year career. Kramer earned first-team All-America honors in 1994 and was also named the National Goalkeeper of the Year. A four-time all-conference and two-time All-Far West selection, he led the Bulldogs to a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation championship in 1994 and set a school record with a 0.46 goals against average.


Brian Crookham
Director of Coaching, Rapids Youth Academy

Brian Crookham joined the Rapids staff full-time in May of 2007 as the Rapids Youth Academy’s Director of Coaching.
He is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Youth Academy and will work with Director of Player Development John Murphy to form a fully-integrated player development structure for the Colorado Rapids.

For the three years prior to coming to the Rapids full-time, Crookham was the Assistant Technical Director for Colorado Youth Soccer. There he was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Olympic Development Program and worked in coaching education.

Crookham has also served as the color analyst for Rapids television broadcasts on Altitude Sports and Entertainment since 2004.

Prior to his stint at Colorado Youth Soccer, Crookham served as the Men’s Soccer Coach and Assistant Athletic Director at Metropolitan State College in Denver. During his nine-year tenure, the soccer team became nationally-recognized, going from a team that had never before been ranked to as high as number four in the NCAA Division II top 25. In 2000 the program made its first ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Crookham coached three All-Americans, eleven All-Midwest Region players and the 2001 RMAC Player-of-the-Year. The program was also recognized nationally with Academic Honor Awards in each of the last three seasons he was there. In his role as Assistant Athletic Director, he was responsible for managing the student-athlete eligibility, academic progress, and NCAA rules compliance for the school.

A USSF “A” Licensed coach, Crookham also serves as a USYS Region IV staff coach and an instructor in both state and national coaching education programs for US Soccer.

A native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Brian currently resides in Highlands Ranch, Colorado with his wife Michelle and their three children, Connor, 5, and 2 year old twins Beth and Sean.
 
Brett Jacobs
Assistant Director, Youth Academy

Brett Jacobs begins his second season in MLS since joining the Rapids as Assistant Director, Youth Academy in November 2007.
 
As a semi-professional player and professional coach, he carries fifteen years domestic and international experience.
 
Jacobs comes to Colorado having previous served as the Director of Coaching for the Michigan State Youth Soccer Association from 2005 to 2007. During his two-year stint in Michigan, he also worked as the First Team Coach for the Michigan Bucks of the United Soccer Leagues, PDL- winning a national championship in 2006 and finishing as national finalists in 2007.
 
Prior to his tenure in Michigan, Jacobs coached full-time for London’s Wimbledon Football Club from 2002-2004. He has previous experience at the state level coaching for the Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association from 1999-2002 and working as a Player/Coach for the Cape Cod Crusaders of Mass Premiere Soccer Inc. from 1996-2001.
 
Jacobs began his career as an Assistant Coach for the University of West Florida from 1995-1996.
 
A graduate of the University of Alabama in Telecommunications, Jacobs is a USSF A licensed coach, holds the UEFA B and is currently taking the UEFA A license through the English Football Association. His playing experience spans over a decade and a half with stops in Ryman Premier and Dr. Marten semi professional leagues in London England, USL Division II, USISL Premiere Development League and NCAA Division I at the University of South Alabama.
 
Brett and his wife Jennifer live in Denver with their sons Finn, 4, and Jett, 1.
 
Jamie Heiner
Strength & Conditioning Coach
Director of Sports Performance - Impact Sports

Jamie Heiner begins his third season in 2009 working with the Rapids as a contract Strength & Conditioning Coach from Impact Sports in Denver. He served in a similar capacity during the 2006 season. Heiner comes to the Rapids with a wealth of experience in the sports arena.
 
Following his playing career in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans, Heiner’s passion for working with kids and athletes, combined with his vast knowledge and experience in speed and strength conditioning, led him into the field of sport-specific training.
 
His playing career, his knowledge of performance training, and his passion for learning and discovering new beneficial ways to train athletes gives him a rare and exciting combination. He has long term goals of working with student athletes and helping them achieve their goals. He strives to instill a hard work ethic while creating an energetic training environment.
 
Along with the Rapids, he also served as the strength and conditioning coach for the USA Rugby Collegiate All-Americans in 2007.

Jamie is married to his college sweetheart, Kari, and has two children, Casey (5 yrs) and Madison (3 yrs). He loves spending time with his family watching movies, playing at the park, and hanging out with friends.
 
David Abookire
Team Massage Therapist
Director of Therapies - Boulder Therapeutics
 
Abookire has been working with the Rapids as the team's massage therapist since 1999. After completing his undergraduate degree at Denison University, Abookire worked at a sports rehabilitation clinic as a physical therapy assistant.

He graduated with honors from the Boulder College of Massage Therapy specializing in Injury Rehabilitation/Prevention, Sports Massage and Therapeutic Neuromuscular Massage. With the Rapids, Abookire has supervised dozens of massage therapy student interns demonstrating advanced massage techniques.

Abookire has been utilized by the Colorado Ballet and Boulder Theater for injured dancers and performers. He has worked with international athletes and MLS All-Stars. He is referred by the Denver Center for Performing Arts to work with performance companies traveling through town. He has worked with a number of Broadway performers from “The Little Mermaid,” “Kiss Me Kate” and “Heaven Help Us” and has been contracted by international companies such as “Lord of the Dance” and “Burn the Floor.” Abookire also teaches anatomy to yoga instructors in studios around Denver.
 
Abookire currently owns and operates Boulder Therapeutics, Inc. with locations in Boulder, Broomfield and Aurora. He and his staff specialize in therapeutic massage, sports therapy and injury rehabilitation & prevention. For more information on Boulder Therapeutics, Inc., please call 303-444-1171 or log onto their website by clicking here!

Abookire and his wife, Elsa, live in Nederland with their daughter, Skylar, and son, Jayden.


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