Chris Armas

Christopher Armas (born August 27, 1972) is an American professional soccer coach and former player. His last coaching role was with Leeds United.

Chris Armas
Personal information
Full name Christopher Armas[1]
Date of birth (1972-08-27) August 27, 1972
Place of birth New York City, U.S.
Height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
New York Hota Bavarian SC
Brooklyn Italians
Frosinone SC
South Shore SC
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1990–1993 Adelphi Panthers 73 (17)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1994–1995 Long Island Rough Riders (8)
1996–1997 LA Galaxy 50 (4)
1998–2007 Chicago Fire 214 (8)
Total 264 (20)
International career
1993–1994 Puerto Rico 8 (0)
1998–2005 United States 66 (2)
Managerial career
2008 Chicago Fire (assistant)
2011–2014 Adelphi Panthers (women)
2015–2018 New York Red Bulls (assistant)
2018–2020 New York Red Bulls
2021 Toronto FC
2021–2022 Manchester United (assistant)
2023 Leeds United (assistant)
2023 Leeds United (co-interim)
Medal record
Representing  United States
WinnerCONCACAF Gold Cup2002
WinnerCONCACAF Gold Cup2005
Men's Soccer
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Youth and college

Born in The Bronx, New York City, Armas is of Puerto Rican descent and grew up in Brentwood, New York. He graduated from St. Anthony's High School and then attended Adelphi University from 1990 to 1993, amassing 17 goals and 15 assists over his collegiate career. Armas was named an NCAA Division II First Team All-American his senior year.[2]

Playing career

Professional

After graduating from college, Armas spent 1994 and 1995 playing for the USISL's Long Island Rough Riders, being selected as a USISL All-Star. In 1995, the Rough Riders defeated the Minnesota Thunder in the USISL's Pro League Championship.[3]

In 1996, Armas was drafted by Los Angeles Galaxy in the first round of the Major League Soccer Supplemental Draft and played a significant role in their first and second seasons. Chicago Fire acquired Armas in a trade for their inaugural 1998 campaign. It was with the 1998 Fire team that Armas emerged as an exceptional player, helping them win their first MLS Championship that year. Between 1998 and 2001, Armas was named to the MLS Best XI four consecutive times, his streak only being broken by an ACL injury that kept him out of much of the 2002 campaign; Armas was named to his fifth Best XI after the 2003 MLS season, in addition to being named the MLS Comeback Player of the Year. He was named U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year in 2000. In ten years in MLS, he totaled 11 goals and 41 assists, plus added four goals and four assists in the playoffs.

On April 19, 2007, Armas announced that the 2007 MLS season with the Chicago Fire would be his last, as he decided to retire. His retirement was made official on November 13, 2007, after spending 12 years in MLS.[4]

International

Armas played for Puerto Rico in the 1993 Caribbean Cup. The competition was not then recognized by FIFA and so his five matches were classed as friendlies.[5]

He was therefore later allowed to switch his allegiance to the United States, for whom he made his debut November 6, 1998, against Australia.[6] He went on to earn 66 caps. He did not break into the squad until soon after the 1998 FIFA World Cup, and his ACL injury came just before the 2002 FIFA World Cup, so he was never able to play for the United States in the World Cup. He was named as a standby player for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and did not feature in the final squad.

Coaching career

After his retirement, he coached youth soccer and was a high school physical education teacher at St. Anthony's High School.[7]

Armas served as an assistant coach for the Chicago Fire in 2008 and was the head women's soccer coach at Adelphi University between 2011 and 2015.

On July 6, 2018, Armas was promoted to head coach of New York Red Bulls after former manager Jesse Marsch departed the club to join RB Salzburg as an assistant.[8] Armas helped the Red Bulls finish first in the regular season, winning the Supporters' Shield as a result. The Red Bulls were eliminated in the conference finals by Atlanta United FC.

In 2019, the Red Bulls finished sixth in the Eastern Conference and were eliminated by the Philadelphia Union in the first round of the playoffs. The Red Bulls were then eliminated in the group stage of the MLS is Back Tournament after they were defeated by FC Cincinnati. The team was in the middle of a scoring slump when Armas parted ways with the club on September 4, 2020, the day after a 1–0 loss to D.C. United.[9]

In 2021, Armas was hired as head coach of Toronto FC, replacing Greg Vanney, who departed the club at the end of his contract.[10] On July 4, 2021, following a 7–1 loss to D.C. United, the largest loss in club history and a league record of 1 win, 8 losses, and 2 draws, the team announced he had been fired.[11]

On December 7, 2021, Armas was hired by Manchester United as assistant coach to work under interim manager Ralf Rangnick.[12][13] He left the club in May 2022.

In January 2023, it was confirmed that Armas had re-united with Jesse Marsch at Leeds United. Armas was named co-interim head coach alongside Michael Skubala and Paco Gallardo following the sacking of Jesse Marsch in February,[14] the trio overseeing a 2–2 draw at Old Trafford with Manchester United on 8 February 2023[15] and Skubala acting as solitary interim manager in the home loss against the same opponents four days later.[16] [17][18]

Personal life

Armas and his wife, Justine, have two sons, Christopher and Aleksei.[19]

Career statistics

Club
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[20][21]
Club Season League Playoffs Cup[lower-alpha 1] Continental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
LA Galaxy 1996 Major League Soccer 22162——283
1997 28320—2[lower-alpha 2]0323
Total 504820020606
Chicago Fire 1998 Major League Soccer 3115030—391
1999 22130003[lower-alpha 2]0281
2000 1605040—250
2001 2106130—301
2002 4000002[lower-alpha 2]060
2003 2524141—334
2004 211—303[lower-alpha 2]1272
2005 2221020—252
2006 2712020—311
2007 2503010—290
Total 21482922218127312
Career total 2641237422110133318
  1. All appearances in the U.S. Open Cup
  2. Appearance(s) in the CONCACAF Champions' Cup

International
Appearances and goals by national team and year[22]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Puerto Rico 199360
199420
Total80
United States
199810
199970
2000142
2001130
2002110
200340
200480
200580
Total662
Scores and results list the United States' goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Armas goal.
List of international goals scored by Chris Armas
No. Cap Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 9 January 16, 2000 Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California, United States  Iran 1–1 1–1 Friendly
2 13 February 19, 2000 Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida, United States  Colombia 2–1 2–2
(1–2 pen.)		 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup

Coaching
As of July 4, 2021
Coaching record by team and tenure
Team Nat. From To Record
G W L T Win % Ref.
New York Red Bulls United States July 6, 2018 September 4, 2020 71 33 27 11 046.48 [23]
Toronto FC Canada January 13, 2021 July 4, 2021 15 2 10 3 013.33 [24]
Total 86 35 30 21 040.70

Honors

Player

Chicago Fire

United States

Individual

Coach

New York Red Bulls

References
  1. "Our Notable Alumni". Adelphi University.
  2. "Chris Armas (2005) – Adelphi Hall of Fame profile". Adelphi Panthers. Adelphi University. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  3. Lewis, Michael (January 14, 2021). "Surreal Experience: Repost: Armas enjoys return to Hota (2004)". Front Row Soccer. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  4. Marcus, Jeffrey (November 14, 2007). "Kicking About: Retiring, Training and Mourning". The New York Times. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  5. Wahl, Grant (November 2, 1998). "Inside Soccer: Chris Armas: Man Without A Country?". Sports Illustrated. Time Warner. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  6. Lewis, Michael (May 19, 2020). "Unsung Hero: Chris Armas and His Contributions to the USMNT". United States Soccer Federation. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  7. Boehm, Charles (December 7, 2021). "What the discourse is missing about Chris Armas' shock move to Manchester United". MLSsoccer.com.
  8. "Jesse Marsch leaves New York Red Bulls, Chris Armas promoted". WABC-TV. ABC Owned Television Stations. July 6, 2018. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  9. "New York Red Bulls Fire Manager Chris Armas". Sports Illustrated. theMaven. September 4, 2020. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  10. Davidson, Neil (January 13, 2021). "Former Red Bulls coach Chris Armas named as Greg Vanney's successor at Toronto FC". Toronto Star. Torstar. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  11. Singh, Michael (July 4, 2021). "BREAKING: Toronto FC fire head coach Chris Armas". Waking the Red.
  12. "Rangnick confirms new coaching staff". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  13. Dholakia, Raj (December 12, 2021). "Chris Armas: Who is Ralf Rangnick's new assistant at Manchester United?". THE PEOPLES PERSON. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  14. "Trio to take chare of Manchester United fixture". www.leedsunited.com.
  15. "Sancho earns Man Utd point in thrilling Leeds draw". BBC Sport. February 8, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  16. "Michael Skubala to remain Leeds United interim boss for Man Utd game" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  17. Taylor, Louise (February 12, 2023). "Leeds rue missed chances after Marcus Rashford sparks Manchester United win". The Guardian. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  18. Stone, Simon (February 12, 2023). "Leeds United 0-2 Manchester United: Marcus Rashford sets visitors on way to victory". BBC Sport. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  19. Firchau, Nick (January 27, 2011). "What Ever Happened To: Chris Armas". Major League Soccer. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  20. Chris Armas at Major League Soccer
  21. "Chicago Fire player registry – Chris Armas". Chicago Fire FC. Major League Soccer. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  22. "Chris Armas". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  23. "New York Red Bulls fire head coach Armas after two years". ESPN.com. ESPN Inc. September 5, 2020. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  24. "Toronto FC fires manager Chris Armas amid club's struggles in MLS". ESPN.com. ESPN Inc. July 4, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  25. "1999 MLS All-Star Game". MLSsoccer.com. July 17, 1999. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  26. "2000 MLS All-Star Game". MLSsoccer.com. July 29, 2000. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
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