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Colorado Rapids Hire Pareja As New Head Coach

COMMERCE CITY, CO (AP) - The Colorado Rapids have picked Oscar Pareja of FC Dallas to be their new head coach.

The Rapids announced Pareja's hiring on Thursday.

He'll replace Gary Smith, who was fired in November. He led the Rapids to their first MLS cup a year before but last season they were eliminated from the playoffs after a 12-9-13 regular season.

Pareja is a native of Medellin, Colombia who played for Dallas from 1998 to 2005. He joined the team as an assistant coach in 2005 and most recently served as the reserve team coach and academy director.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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