The new era of Colorado Rapids soccer will be brash, in-your-face and Centennial State-approved.
At least that’s how Bronx-born, Long Island native Chris Armas said he wants his new team to play in Commerce City.
The Rapids formally introduced Armas as their 10th permanent head coach in club history on Thursday afternoon at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. The former MLS star, who spent 12 seasons playing for the L.A. Galaxy and Chicago Fire before transitioning into coaching, addressed several topics while speaking with media members — in addition to his preferred style of play.
Here’s what Armas and club president Pádraig Smith had to say:
Leaning on tough times
What’s the story: Armas’ coaching track record has been a mixed bag, as he led the New York Red Bulls to an Eastern Conference final in his first year in charge, but eventually was fired in September 2020. He lasted 11 games in charge of Toronto FC in 2021 before getting the boot during a COVID-filled season in which Canadian teams could not play in their home market or go home at all for most of the season. Assistant roles at English Premier League giants Manchester United (six months) and Leeds United (less than two months) were also short-lived.
Considering where Colorado is — two years removed from a first-place finish in the Western Conference, but coming off of its worst season in franchise history filled with off-field problems and a fan protest that lasted from September through the season finale — Armas will use the tough times to find good ones in Commerce City.
What Armas said: “The key thing with all of my stops on my football journey is that I’ve learned along the way, and that I’m more ready now than I’ve ever been. … I can take something from every experience and promise the fanbase: Look, I know how to coach. Well, my superpower? Listen, I know football, of course, I’m learning all the time, but I know people and I know competition. Just give us some time, I understand their frustration, and I think we’re going to make them proud.”
Analysis: If Armas is to be the one to dig Colorado out of its current hole, he’ll be the first to grab a shovel and start finding a route. Whether learning under transition-game coaching legends in New York and Germany, keeping a team together in Toronto in a tough situation, or later working with world-class players in the world’s most cutthroat league, one thing is clear: Armas is not messing about.
The game (model) is afoot
What’s the story: The club president has increasingly stressed a club identity to use altitude and transition soccer to wear teams down and win tough games. Armas’ plan matches Smith’s.
What Smith said: “I don’t think there’s a better proponent of transition football than Chris, domestically. We understood when we brought him in that he not only believed in that, but knew exactly how to execute that, get players to buy into that, knew how to get players to perform that day-in, day-out.”
Analysis: Armas said he has always seen soccer one way: “To make it hard to play against.” As a product of the notorious Red Bulls high-press system, he’ll make sure his tactical philosophy is understood by all. But after scoring an abysmal 26 goals in 2023, can it be an overnight switch? With Smith and Armas on the same page, there’s a chance.
Drive toward youth
What’s the story: Colorado has 14 senior players on its roster 24 or younger, suited for Armas’ style of play, plus a talented Rapids 2 squad that also played run-and-gun soccer. With key veterans leaving, the expectation Smith set Thursday is that Armas can transform a young and hungry squad with a chip on its shoulder from 28th in MLS to a playoff team — in the span of one season. Armas highlighted the likes of Connor Ronan, Cole Bassett, Rafael Navarro and Moïse Bombito as players he’s eager to coach.
Armas said: “We’re a club that’s going to push the young players. The young players don’t let you down, you’ve just gotta give them a chance … Philosophically, we’re going to push young guys that they can play with a fearless nature.”
Analysis: It’s a new era in Commerce City, and the Rapids are looking to reinvent themselves from a gritty club with veterans, to a bold and daring one where young players can thrive. It’s now Armas’ job to deliver that on expectation.
Want more sports news? Sign up for the Sports Omelette to get all our analysis on Denver’s teams.