Chris Armas “Laying the Seeds” of a Successful 2024 Rapids Campaign During Preseason Training Camp

January 20, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Colorado Rapids News Release

Chris Armas’ highlights from the first few days of Colorado’s preseason training camp can be summed up into a few words, but you can feel how much weight the words hold when he speaks them.

Currently training in Querétaro, Mexico, the Rapids are preparing to reclaim their story as a top contender in MLS in 2024 under the guidance of Armas. Colorado’s busy offseason saw numerous player movements and coaching changes, including the appointment of Armas, three SuperDraft pick signings, two veteran U.S. Men’s National Team player signings, and more.

The Rapids’ roster is assembled of returning Colorado players, veterans of the game from around the league and Europe, and young SuperDraft picks. Each player brings their own level of competition and strengths in their respective positions, but the glue holding them together is the high energy, standard-of-excellence mindset that Armas is already seeing unfold.

“When you throw [the players] all out there, it’s a little choppy at times, naturally, because we have big numbers in preseason,” he said. “Our style of play has big demands. I think they all understand this feels different, but I’m loving watching the group come together.”

The theme of “togetherness” runs not only through training and being there for one another on the pitch but also in the meal room. The use of cellphones and headphones when breaking bread with one another is a small thing that can hinder the feeling of community when many players are just now getting to know one another.

“We’re not saying you cannot do that stuff ever, but what we really are encouraging is togetherness and getting to know people,” said Armas. “We’ve seen guys put down the headphones, guys put down the phones, laughing, talking-I leave the room and they’re still there.

“Every team is going through this initial forming stage of a group. There are stages to this-you come together and hit some road bumps, you get comfortable again and then you hit some bumps…it’s important to know the different stages that the team can go through. That’s important to understand early on and see what organic happens and then what we can do to really try to foster relationships.”

The Rapids’ roster has historically not been one that featured one superstar player that everything is built around but rather a whole team of bright players that shine when they’re together, an ethos that Armas wants to continue…