Long Island Rough Riders legend Chris Armas has a new challenge.
The Brentwood, N.Y. native on Wednesday was named head coach of the Kansas City Current of the National Women’s Soccer League.
And before you think the 53-year-old National Soccer Hall of Famer has no experience coaching women, he guided the Adelphi University women from 2011-14.
Armas most recently coached the Colorado Rapids as head coach, but left team after it failed to qualify for the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs.
“We are beyond excited to welcome Chris to the Kansas City Current family,” Current co-owners Angie and Chris Long said in a statement. “He brings an abundance of experience at the highest levels both as a coach and a player and shares in our long-term vision of the Kansas City Current being the best women’s football club in the world. A natural leader, Chris demands excellence, and we are confident he will further cultivate and enhance our competitive environment as we continue to pursue championships and expand our global footprint.”
Armas, who was inducted into the NSHOF in May 2025, said that he was looking forward to his next challenge.
“I am honored to be named head coach of the Kansas City Current,” he said in a statement. “Angie and Chris Long have built a top-notch organization with excellence in all that they do, and I’m grateful for their trust. From the talented group of players, the facilities and passionate fan base, this club represents a world class environment. Above all, it’s the culture and the people that impressed me most. I’m inspired by the shared vision of the ownership and staff, and I will do everything I can to help make the KC Current the best women’s football club in the world.”
Armas began his professional soccer career with the Rough Riders, playing for the U.S. Interregional Soccer League side from 1994-95, playing a major role in the team’s run to the 1995 championship. He is a member of the Rough Riders’ Hall of Fame and of the Long Island Soccer Player Hall.
As the finest American defensive midfielder of his era, Armas played for the LA Galaxy and Chicago Fire. He made 66 appearances for the U.S. men’s national team.
A 1994 graduate of Adelphi, Armas earned All-America honors and helped the Panthers to three consecutive NCAA Division I Tournament appearances. He was a two-time all-New York State honoree.
“We are excited to have Chris in Kansas City, and I look forward to working closely with him as we continue to take the club to new heights,” Current sporting director Vlatko Andonovski said in a statement. “Chris brings a wealth of experience that will be invaluable for our organization. His passion for the game is evident, as is his commitment to his players and his winning mindset.”
In 2008, Armas’ coaching career began in 2008 as an assistant coach for the Chicago Fire before spending four years as the head women’s coach at Adelphi from 2011-14. Adelphi earned back-to-back Northeast 10 Tournament final appearances in 2012 and 2013, secured its first NCAA tournament berth in six years in 2013 and rose as high as ninth in the national rankings in 2014. Armas, who produced 20 All-Conference and six All-Region selections during his Panthers tenure, was recognized as the United Soccer Coaches Regional coaching staff of the year and the NE10 conference coaching staff of the year in 2013.
Armas joined the New York Red Bulls as an assistant coach under head coach Jesse Marsch in 2015 as the team won the Supporters’ Shield that year. He was named Red Bulls’ head coach in July 2018, finishing the regular season with a 12-3-3 record as the club won the 2018 Supporters’ Shield and advanced to the Eastern Conference finals. He also was an assistant coach for Manchester United (2021-22) and Leeds United (2023) in the Premier League in England, serving as co-interim head coach of the former club.