For Immediate Release
September 2, 2011
Courtesy of Soccer Banter, Written by Brendan Faherty
This past July, Chris Armas was named Head Women's Soccer Coach at his alma mater Adelphi University. In his former life, Armas played 66 times for the United States National Team and played over 10 years in Major League Soccer, winning MLS Cup with the Chicago Fire in 1998.
Soccer Banter: When you graduated from Adelphi in 1994, did you ever think then that you would return to the school as a coach, let alone with the Women's Program?
Chris Armas: To be honest, I had such a great experience with Bob Montgomery (former Adelphi Men's Soccer Coach), it was the best four years of my life and I did believe I would one day come back to Adelphi. At that time when I played here, there was no professional soccer in the US so I had always thought of coming back and trying to fill Bob's shoes. Once I graduated I spent time as the GA with Rich Ilsley with the Women's program and I really enjoyed it. It was always in my mind that I could come back and try to be a guy like Bob.
SB: What are your thoughts on coaching men vs. women?
CA: I worked with women when I was younger and I always felt I could relate with them. While playing professional soccer, I truly felt that I played like a coach in my later years and felt I was a mentor to the younger players. Last year I volunteered with the Adelphi Women's team and after spending time with them, coaching a youth boys national team or coaching the Chicago Fire, my attitude doesn't change. I believe you try to deal with people the right way. I also believe you want to have an organized training session. I believe all players are different, but I have a good way with people and I want to make all players feel important. I believe coaching is coaching, it shouldn't matter the age or the gender.
SB: What is your coaching philosophy? What do you look for in a player? What do you try to develop in players?
CA: I try to be honest, fair, organized and prepared. I have a picture in my mind of how we should play. I want us to be a team that attacks, that plays simple, but with a purpose and that goes forward. I want to recruit players similar to me and coach them to use their soccer brain. I want players to think for themselves and to solve problems during the game on their own. Coaching this first year at Adelphi this might be difficult, but will be easier as we recruit our own players. I want an entertaining team, which I believe will add up to wins. I want the process to be enjoyable and if it is done right, wins will happen. Lastly need to have the players buy into this philosophy.
SB: What are your goals for the upcoming season and for your program in general?
CA: I want to get things organized quickly and establish a strong foundation for the future. I want to have defined roles for the assistant coaches and establish the Adelphi Women's Soccer Way. We will have expectations for players and staff on and off the field. Without knowing how it's going to go, I would love to win the Northeast-10 this year. The girls are capable and now we will ask a lot of them. I want us to be more organized than other teams and be just a little bit better than everyone else.
Off the field we have recruiting goals, we need to be visible recruiters, reach out to people that I trust and think for the future of the program. Look at other programs in the Northeast 10 like St Rose, Franklin Pierce, and Merrimack and figure out how they have been successful and how can we compete with them. I have also met with coaches that I respect at different colleges to get input on how they have found success and asking them what it takes to be the best program. I have a lot to learn, but I'm doing this because I want to make a difference. Lastly, we need to define 'what is winning', which in college athletics can mean a lot of different things.
SB: What is your best memory involved in the game as a player?
CA: 1998 MLS Cup Final at the Rose Bowl as that is where it all started for me professionally when I was drafted by Los Angeles Galaxy. Winning the final in front of your family and friends, was just a great experience. At the time I won a High School championship with St. Anthony's that meant just as much to me. Last memory that really sticks out is being on the field in Foxboro when we qualified for the 2002 World Cup, I had to hold back tears as I was filled with so much emotion.
SB: Who was the best teammate you ever played with?
CA: Peter Nowak, captain of Chicago Fire, he played next to me at center-mid and he was by far the best teammate I ever had.
SB: Who was the hardest player to play against?
CA: Again, it's Peter Nowak, everyday at training. Bob Bradley never put us on the same team which helped me understand how to play against a real soccer player. Playing against Nowak everyday made the games easier.
In a game it would have to be Roberto Donadoni with the New York Metrostars. I didn't play against him a lot, but his qualities and his soccer brain came out so quickly when matched up against him. He was so smart the way he moved, I always remember playing against him.
SB: It has not been the best year for your old club, Chicago Fire, what are your thoughts on the current team?
CA: They haven't won a lot of games, but they haven't lost a lot either. They have drawn a lot of games they should have won. I think if they can do the little things right, they can hold onto some of these leads and turn draws into wins. For those that saw, they played very well against Manchester United. I think they have a good leader in Logan Pause, the team has good balance, but they are a young team that can't be so naive at times. I think Frank Klopas is doing a good job right now, the team seems to have a good mentality and now just need to find a way to win games and stop giving up leads.
SB: What are your thoughts on US Soccer letting Bob Bradley go?
CA: I know Bob very well as my coach and I know his approach to running a team. I think he is one of the greatest American soccer minds in general. I think we need to look at what he was given and what he has done during his time. He has expanded the player pool, he was able to get the best out of players such as Dempsey and Donovan, and he is an honest coach.
What criteria is used to judge Bob Bradley? Was it wins, World Cup, Confederations Cup, Gold Cup? He lead the US team to finishing first in the group and advancing to knockout stages of 2010 WC. He helped them to a 2nd place finish in the Confederations Cup, bringing world-wide recognition to US Soccer after defeating Spain. He took a lot of criticism at the recent Gold Cup, but the team got better during the competition, he gave players experience and the final was entertaining to watch.
I think Bob did well and I think he should still be the guy but US Soccer thought it was time for a new direction. I don't believe US Soccer treated him well after the 2010 World Cup. They should have made a decision then instead of wavering and making him wait. I am disappointed as I believe he was the greatest soccer guy in this country who has such an honest approach. We need to realize that some of our players are limited compared to players from Spain or Brazil. US players have technical limitations but still I believe Bob moved the team forward.
SB: What are your thoughts on Jurgen Klinsmann as the new coach?
CA: I believe we are getting another good soccer guy who has accomplished everything as a player and maybe we are lucky to have him. He has been in this country for sometime now and has taken the time to understand how it works in the United States. I am optimistic but skeptical because it is not an easy job. He's saying all the right things but I'm waiting to see and only time will tell.
