COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Wednesday, February 1, 2012) – The Colorado Rapids announced on Wednesday that the club has signed Technical Director Paul Bravo, who has presided over the Rapids’ soccer operations since 2009 and helped the team to the 2010 MLS Cup, to a three-year contract extension.

“Paul has done great things at this club, both as a player and in his current role as Technical Director,” said Rapids President Tim Hinchey. “His work helped us earn our first championship, he’s established our youth academy as one of the top in the country, and he conducted an excellent coaching search that led us to Oscar Pareja. We’re pleased to have him on board for at least the next three seasons.”

Bravo was first named Rapids Technical Director in January 2009, and in his current role is responsible for overseeing the club’s soccer operations, including the first team, the accomplished Rapids Academy youth system, and domestic and international scouting. The Rapids won MLS Cup in 2010 with a squad that included several key acquisitions that Bravo helped bring to the club. After the 2011 season, Bravo spearheaded a coaching search that led Colorado to the hiring of Oscar Pareja, the club’s current Head Coach. He previously held the same role with the LA Galaxy from 2007-2009.

Bravo’s history with the Rapids is long and distinguished; he played the final five of his six MLS seasons with Colorado, scoring 39 goals and adding 22 assists in 135 regular season matches with the team. After finishing his playing career, he served two years as an Assistant Coach for the Rapids, and on July 4, 2003, was one of the first two players to be inducted into the Rapids “Gallery of Honor.”