Petke Starts Building a Staff

Soccer By Ives is confirming what Brian Lewis at the New York Post reported last week, that former Chivas USA head coach Robin Fraser was joining the Red Bulls as an assistant coach.

Fraser was an MLS defender for many years and was Jason Kreis lieutenant at Real Salt Lake before jumping to Chivas. His tenure, like most Chivas coaches, was a rocky one, and was let go this past season in favor of Jose Luis "El Chelis" Sanchez.Sola.

During his tenure at RSL, Fraser worked for two years with newly-acquired centerback Jamison Olave. In those two years, 2009 and 2010, RSL were in the top half in fewest goals allowed. In 2010, RSL topped that list by six goals.

Elsewhere, Dave Martinez at Empire of Soccer reports the Red Bulls are closing in on former Aston Villa goalkeeping coach Rafa Gonzalez. Gonzales worked with Gerard Houllier when the now-Global Director of Soccer for Red Bull was at the helm at Villa Park.