KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Chris Armas says he wasn’t exactly looking for a new position. If he was going to make a change, it would need to be for a unique opportunity.
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He found one in Kansas City, where the Current won the NWSL Shield last season and coach Vlatko Andonovski announced an offseason move to sporting director.
“I felt like there was excellence in everything they talked about,” Armas told reporters during his introductory press conference on Thursday. “I can’t wait to get going here and get to be a part of all of it.”
Armas, a Hall of Fame midfielder for the U.S. men’s national team, most recently coached the Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer. Armas began his coaching career in 2008 as an assistant coach for Chicago Fire FC. Then, he returned to his alma mater Adelphi University, where he coached the women’s soccer team from 2011-14.
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He joined the New York Red Bulls the following year and coached there through 2020. He then served as an assistant for Manchester United and Leeds United of the English Premier League before taking the job in Colorado. The Rapids had a record of 33-36-13 during his tenure at the helm.
When asked about returning to women’s soccer, Armas admitted he has a lot to learn, and said it’ll take some time for him to be able to discuss tactics with specifcity. But he has already started reviewing film with Andonovski and is sold on what he’s seen. “When I saw the team play, I didn’t see men, women,” he said. “I saw a team that said I can connect with that style of play.”
Chris and Angie Long, co-owners of the club alongside Patrick and Brittany Mahomes, credited Canada men’s national team coach Jesse Marsch with the initial introduction. Marsch, who attended Princeton University at the same time as the Longs, billed his former Leeds assistant as the perfect candidate for the position.
“Chris is the perfect fit for an already strong, successful organization,” Angie Long said in her introductory comments. “He aligns seamlessly with our vision for the club both on and off the pitch.”
The Current boasted the league’s best record of 21-3-2 with 65 points. They also became the fastest team to win the Shield with five games remaining this past regular season. They entered the NWSL Playoffs as the top seed, but were ousted in the first round by eventual champion NJ/NY Gotham FC.
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