Two coaches fired after end of MLS regular season
Oct 27, 2025, 1:18 PM
A general view before a 2025 MLS match between the Colorado Rapids and FC Dallas. (Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
(Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (AP) — The Colorado Rapids parted ways with head coach Chris Armas after two seasons, as did the New York Red Bulls and coach Sandro Schwarz.
Schwarz’s replacement will be the Red Bulls’ 21st coach in 31 seasons.
The Rapids finished 11-15-8 this season as their attempt to earn a spot in the MLS Cup playoffs fell short. The team has started the process to pick a new coach.
Over his time with the Rapids, Armas helped the team make the playoffs last season and to a third-place finish in the 2024 Leagues Cup tournament. Colorado also won back-to-back Rocky Mountain Cup crowns.
“We’re grateful to Chris for the professionalism and passion he brought to the club,” Pádraig Smith, the president of the Rapids, said in a statement. “He helped our group take meaningful steps forward over the past two seasons and leaves behind a strong culture that will serve us well as we begin this next chapter.”
Armas said he’s “proud of the work we’ve done here and the progress the team has made.” He added the Rapids are a “special club with passionate fans, and I’ll always be grateful for my time in Colorado.”
New York missed the playoffs, finishing 10th in Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference with 12 wins, 15 losses and seven ties. The team was seventh in 2024 and advanced to the MLS final, where it lost to the LA Galaxy.
The Red Bulls said Julian de Guzman will become Head of Sport next year and replace Jochen Schneider and that assistant coach Volkan Bulut will not return for 2026.
The Red Bulls, who began play in 1996 as the New York/New Jersey Metrostars, have never won the MLS championship. They also have been coached by Eddie Firmani (1996), Carlos Queiroz (1996), Carlos Alberto Parreira (1997), Alfonso Mondelo (1998), Bora Milutinovic (1998-99), Octavio Zambrano (2000-02), Bob Bradley (2003-05), Mo Johnston (2005-2006), Richie Williams (2006), Bruce Arena (2006-07), Juan Carlos Osorio (2008-09), Richie Williams (2009), Hans Backe (2010-12), Mike Petke (2013-15), Jesse Marsch (2015-18), Chris Armas (2018-20), Bradley Carnell (2020), Gerhard Struber (2020-22) and Troy Lesesne (2023).
Seattle Sports staff made edits to this post.
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