The Rapids head coach teed off on HTHL podcaster and Burgundy Wave Managing Editor Matt Pollard in the post game presser to conclude the 2025 season. Here are some of my thoughts on that.
Agree with all of this. The crazy thing is that I’d consider Burgundy Wave on the more positive side of thing. There were signs from the beginning of the season that things weren’t clicking, even though results were good, and I would not say that they focused on those.
Sheesh. I get it -- it's tough accepting a job like head coach of the Rapids, knowing you'll never be supported with talent or a budget that many other organizations have. There's zero room for mistakes. But don't take the job if you can't accept the reality of those challenges. And if you have to trash a dedicated reporter like Matt Pollard to make yourself feel better, that says a lot more about you than anyone else. Deal with your stuff Armas.
Good take, Rabbi. Being accountable for results is part of the “Rapids Way” screed. That’s not what we saw from Chris Armas in his response last night. I’m honestly surprised. I know how hard and thankless of a job it is to cover the Rapids, and I truly appreciate your efforts.
The only way to get better coverage is to win. I don't know how he made it as a coach in New York if he can't take a fair question from BW. We lost to teams that finished well below us and if you can't take criticism about that then leave.
Thanks for the column. I've enjoyed reading a lot of your articles and occasionally tuning in on the podcast. I've been in your shoes; and I can verify that I am ancient -- old enough to have been a beat writer for the Portland Timbers in the old North American Soccer League.
For six years I traveled worldwide with the men's and women's national teams in a PR capacity. I've dealt with sportswriters from around the world on both sides of the microphone. I've been in and around the Rapids for a dozen or so years. I was a season ticket holder until the end of this season when I'm giving up my tickets because I've moved to another state. I appreciate hearing you guys' comments from week to week. The only thing I can offer about last night was that you might have given it a little more thought on how you were going to present your question to the coach. He was miffed, obviously, but probably only because it was right after a big disappointment. Armas seems to be a pretty easy guy to get along with as far as the press goes. The tone and tenor in which you ask a question is always important, especially when the mood is tense after a tough defeat. Your question seemed to put the coach in a tough spot right off the top. Perhaps if phrased it a bit more carefully, you'd have gotten a more favorable response -- something you could have worked with in a follow-up. Like I said, I've been in your shoes, and I've asked questions almost the same way you did and immediately found myself in quicksand. Some of the coaches literally could tear your head off with a few choice remarks. I don't see Armas as being that type of coach, and I really don't think he did anything wrong here. It's just that if you're on the beat and you want to ask those tough questions, you have to be smart about. If Armas was a jerk most of the season, that would be one thing and I would then say let her rip. But he's usually in a pretty good mood after games. You just caught him at a tough time. Yes, you were just doing your job and some coaches will know and appreciate that. But as reporters, sometimes -- not only to keep the peace when times are tense but also to get the best possible answer -- it's necessary slightly alter the way we ask questions to reduce tension in the room. Now, if the guy is an ongoing asshole the whole season, like I said, that's another case altogether. Thanks for the great reporting. Keep up the good work. You guys have a great thing going.
Agree with all of this. The crazy thing is that I’d consider Burgundy Wave on the more positive side of thing. There were signs from the beginning of the season that things weren’t clicking, even though results were good, and I would not say that they focused on those.
Sheesh. I get it -- it's tough accepting a job like head coach of the Rapids, knowing you'll never be supported with talent or a budget that many other organizations have. There's zero room for mistakes. But don't take the job if you can't accept the reality of those challenges. And if you have to trash a dedicated reporter like Matt Pollard to make yourself feel better, that says a lot more about you than anyone else. Deal with your stuff Armas.
Good take, Rabbi. Being accountable for results is part of the “Rapids Way” screed. That’s not what we saw from Chris Armas in his response last night. I’m honestly surprised. I know how hard and thankless of a job it is to cover the Rapids, and I truly appreciate your efforts.
The only way to get better coverage is to win. I don't know how he made it as a coach in New York if he can't take a fair question from BW. We lost to teams that finished well below us and if you can't take criticism about that then leave.
If Burgundy Wave is negative, I wonder what that makes my projects 😀
Thanks for the column. I've enjoyed reading a lot of your articles and occasionally tuning in on the podcast. I've been in your shoes; and I can verify that I am ancient -- old enough to have been a beat writer for the Portland Timbers in the old North American Soccer League.
For six years I traveled worldwide with the men's and women's national teams in a PR capacity. I've dealt with sportswriters from around the world on both sides of the microphone. I've been in and around the Rapids for a dozen or so years. I was a season ticket holder until the end of this season when I'm giving up my tickets because I've moved to another state. I appreciate hearing you guys' comments from week to week. The only thing I can offer about last night was that you might have given it a little more thought on how you were going to present your question to the coach. He was miffed, obviously, but probably only because it was right after a big disappointment. Armas seems to be a pretty easy guy to get along with as far as the press goes. The tone and tenor in which you ask a question is always important, especially when the mood is tense after a tough defeat. Your question seemed to put the coach in a tough spot right off the top. Perhaps if phrased it a bit more carefully, you'd have gotten a more favorable response -- something you could have worked with in a follow-up. Like I said, I've been in your shoes, and I've asked questions almost the same way you did and immediately found myself in quicksand. Some of the coaches literally could tear your head off with a few choice remarks. I don't see Armas as being that type of coach, and I really don't think he did anything wrong here. It's just that if you're on the beat and you want to ask those tough questions, you have to be smart about. If Armas was a jerk most of the season, that would be one thing and I would then say let her rip. But he's usually in a pretty good mood after games. You just caught him at a tough time. Yes, you were just doing your job and some coaches will know and appreciate that. But as reporters, sometimes -- not only to keep the peace when times are tense but also to get the best possible answer -- it's necessary slightly alter the way we ask questions to reduce tension in the room. Now, if the guy is an ongoing asshole the whole season, like I said, that's another case altogether. Thanks for the great reporting. Keep up the good work. You guys have a great thing going.