Colorado Rapids have appointed Chris Armas as their new head coach to lead the team into the 2024 Major League Soccer season.
The Rapids parted ways with head coach Robin Fraser in early September as the team fell to the bottom of the Western Conference table after a series of poor results. Fraser guided the team to two consecutive postseason berths in 2020 and at the summit of the West in 2021.
But things took a turn for the worst this time around, prompting Colorado to make the necessary changes. The Rapids finished the 2023 term with a mere five wins over the 34-game regular season, compiling just 27 points and a -28 goal difference at the bottom of their Conference. With Armas at the helm, the team will look to rebuild and rebound ahead of the 2024 campaign.
Armas is no stranger to MLS, previously serving as New York Red Bulls head coach starting in July 2018 where he guided the team the Supporters’ Shield title and was in charge through July 2020. He then took over the reigns at Toronto FC in January 2021, but didn’t last long as the Reds fired him roughly six months later after a terrible start to the season.
Since then, Armas has worked as an assistant at Premier League sides Manchester United and Leeds United.
“We’re delighted to begin a new chapter at the Colorado Rapids with Chris as our head coach,” Rapids president Padraig Smith said in a release. “Chris brings a wealth of experience across the highest levels of the game, both as a player and as a coach.
“He is a natural leader who demands the highest standards from his players and understands what it takes to build a positive, and winning culture. We believe he has the personal qualities, experience and shared vision to help us achieve the success we seek.”
With the appointment, Armas becomes the 14th head coach (both permanent and interim) in the club’s history, a sign that the front office hasn’t really been able to get things back on track since their 2010 MLS Cup title, their lone piece of silverware in their history 27-year history.
“I’m incredibly proud and excited to take the role as the head coach of the Colorado Rapids,” said Armas. “This is a club that has had success in the recent past and KSE is an organization that has a strong track record of winning championships. Throughout the process I was struck by the desire of the organization to return to the playoffs and compete for trophies.
“I’m as hungry as ever to deliver this success to our fans and our club. I’ve always been eager to implement my style of play at a club that plays and trains at altitude. This advantage, along with high energy, attacking and entertaining football, can help our team and fans return to home field dominance.
“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to take the reins and to work with the entire staff to get the club back into the playoffs and ultimately to bring another MLS Cup to Colorado.”
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