Who is Rapids interim head coach, and Denver native, Conor Casey?

With the emergence of Denver Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay and offensive linemen Sam Jones and Dalton Risner, not to mention Colorado Rockies starter Kyle Freeland, there may be no better time than the present for homegrown Colorado athletes.

Chalk up another win for the home team, as the Colorado Rapids named Denver soccer legend Conor Casey as its interim manager in the wake of head coach Anthony Hudson’s dismissal on Wednesday.

Here’s what you need to know about one of the most celebrated soccer players the Centennial State has witnessed and the man charged with righting the Rapids’ ship (or at least keeping it afloat):

Basically, but not technically, a native

While Denver claims Casey, the longtime Colorado resident was actually born in Dover, New Hampshire.

However, Casey and his family moved to Denver when he was five years old, and he’d go on to become one of the more notable alumni of South High School.

Early success

Casey played two seasons for the University of Portland (1999-2000), where he earned West Coast Conference Co-Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors.

In 2000, Casey played on the U.S. Olympic squad that finished fourth in the Sydney games.

Following his Olympic experience, Casey turned pro, landing with one of Europe’s more storied clubs, Borussia Dortmund. He’d stay in Germany until 2006, also playing for Hannover 96, Karlsruher SC and Mainz 05.

The road back home

After being released by Mainz 05, Casey returned to North America to play in MLS, originally landing with Toronto FC. However, the Rapids traded third-round pick Riley O’Neill, a third-rounder in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft and allocation money in exchange for Casey, bringing him back to his native Denver.

During his run with the Rapids from 2007-12, Casey would become the club’s all-time leading goal scorer (50 in 119 games), earning MLS Best XI honors in 2009.

Casey also netted an MLS Cup victory in 2010, helping the Rapids to the title with an equalizing goal in the final and earning MLS Cup MVP honors.

International and post-Rapids career

Casey was a member of the U.S. Men’s National Team from 2004 until 2010, including the 2005 Gold Cup champion squad, making 19 appearances with the senior side. His only two international goals came in the same match in October 2009 against Honduras.

In 2013, Casey joined the Philadelphia Union, where he’d score his remaining 21 MLS goals to put himself 28th all-time in league history.

After a short run with the Columbus Crew (just four games), Casey retired on Oct. 27, 2016, after 11 seasons in MLS.

Post-playing career return to Colorado

On Jan. 26, 2017, Casey rejoined the Rapids as a first-team assistant coach, reuniting with former teammate and then-head coach Pablo Mastroeni.

Casey stayed on with Colorado after the club sacked Mastroeni in August 2017, serving under interim head coach Steve Cooke and the recently departed Hudson.

Aside from transition into coaching, Casey earned a spot in the Rapids Gallery of Honor. He was inducted as the sixth member in June 2017, and his No. 9 has been retired by the club.

Additionally, in January of that same year, Casey was inducted into the Colorado Soccer Association Hall of Fame.