Categories: Colorado RapidsMLSNew York Red Bulls

Rapids part ways with Chris Armas

File photo: LA Brothers

COMMERCE CITY, CO–On Monday, Colorado Rapids announced that they have parted ways with coach Chris Armas. Armas leaves the club after two seasons with a 33-36-13 record in all competitions. Armas had taken the Rapids to the playoffs and third place in the Leagues Cup in 2024, but this season proved to be a struggle as they were eliminated after a draw on Decision Day against LAFC.

“We’re grateful to Chris for the professionalism and passion he brought to the club. He helped our group take meaningful steps forward over the past two seasons and leaves behind a strong culture that will serve us well as we begin this next chapter,” Rapids President Pádraig Smith said in a club statement.

According to news site Burgundy Wave, a contract extension was offered to Armas, but negotiations paused as the club focused on a push to the playoffs. Another source told Burgundy Wave that the club and manager previously were apart in negotiations about the length of the contract. They were in alignment for the vision for the club and the approach to youth development. Burgundy Wave also noted that most of the front office at the Rapids will be out of contract after the 2026 season.

The next head coach for the Rapids will be the third since the start of the 2023 season excluding the caretaker period of Chris Little, and the fourth head coaching hire for current club president Padraig Smith whose team has missed the playoffs six of the last nine seasons.

July 31, 2025, Commerce City, CO: Club Santos Laguna at Colorado Rapids in the Leagues Cup (Photo: LA Brothers/Prost International)

As for Armas, he has had a rocky road as a head coach in Major League Soccer following a three-season stint with New York Red Bulls (2018-2020) where he won the Supporters’ Shield in 2018 and an even-shorter spell at Toronto FC (2021) where he lasted just 15 matches and after a 7-1 loss to DC United on July 4th of that year.

Prior to joining the Rapids, he was an assistant at both Manchester United under Ralf Rangnick and at Leeds United under Jesse Marsch. Nonetheless, he was grateful for the opportunity with the Rapids in a statement on the ex-Twitter.

IN OTHER NEWS: New York Red Bulls have parted ways with head coach Sandro Schwarz and head of sport Jochen Schneider after the club missed the playoffs for the first time since 2009 and after making MLS Cup in 2024. Julian de Guzman will take over as head of sport for the 2026 season. The next head coach for the Red Bulls will be the 18th in club history excluding interim coaches.