The Colorado Rapids have hired Chris Armas to be their next head coach, the MLS club confirmed Friday.
Armas replaces Robin Fraser, who was dismissed in September with the Rapids languishing at the bottom of the Western Conference. Chris Little, who was also a finalist, took over on an interim basis, leading the club to a 2-4-2 mark.
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That wasn't enough to move the Rapids off the bottom of the table, as Colorado finished the season with 27 points and a record of 5-17-12. Sources tell ESPN that Charlotte FC assistant Pa Modou Ka was also a finalist, as were two unnamed foreign managers.
"We're delighted to begin a new chapter at the Colorado Rapids with Chris as our head coach," said Colorado Rapids president Pádraig Smith. "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."
Armas had the most managerial experience of any of the confirmed candidates. Starting in 2015, he served as an assistant with the New York Red Bulls under Jesse Marsch, and took over as manager following Marsch's departure midway through the 2018 campaign, leading the Red Bulls to that year's Supporters Shield.
The 51-year-old struggled thereafter, however. He was let go by the Red Bulls midway through the 2020 season, and lasted less than a year as manager of Toronto FC as the team failed to produce results in 2021.
Armas later served as an assistant at Manchester United under Ralf Rangnick, and had a short stint with Leeds United where he was briefly reunited with Marsch.
"I'm incredibly proud and excited to take the role as the head coach of the Colorado Rapids," Armas said. "This is a club that has had success in the recent past and KSE [owners Kroenke Sports & Entertainment] is an organization that has a strong track record of winning championships.
"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."
As a player, Armas spent time in MLS with the LA Galaxy and Chicago Fire, the latter of which he won an MLS Cup with in 1998. Armas also made 66 appearances with the U.S. men's national team.