COMMERCE CITY • The press is propelling the Colorado Rapids into Major League Soccer’s playoff picture in Chris Armas’ first season as coach.

Since being hired in November, Armas has utilized a pressing system that demands relentless running whether it’s sprinting into the attacking third or racing to retain possession. The early returns have been promising. Saturday’s 2-0 win over Austin FC in front of a season-best crowd of 17,433 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park moved Colorado up to sixth in the Western Conference with the top seven teams at the end of the regular season guaranteed a spot in the postseason.

After the win, the Rapids have accumulated 25 points from 18 matches. Last year, Colorado managed 27 points over the 34-game regular season, and the Rapids scored more goals in the first half of this season (29) than they scored in 2023 (26) when the club finished at the bottom of the Western Conference. Armas has the Rapids on pace to return to the playoffs for the first time since Robin Fraser led the club to the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference in 2021.

Armas, a 51-year-old from The Bronx, was previously an assistant to Jesse Marsch, the new manager of the Canadian national team, at Leeds United, which competes in the second tier of the English soccer pyramid. Between his managerial stints with New York Red Bulls and Toronto FC and his time in Leeds, Armas served as an assistant with Manchester United.

“Chris brings a wealth of experience across the highest levels of the game, both as a player and as a coach,” Rapids President Padraig Smith said when the hiring was announced. “He is a natural leader who demands the highest standards from his players and understands what it takes to build a positive, and winning culture. We believe he has the personal qualities, experience and shared vision to help us achieve the success we seek.”

In his return to Major League Soccer, Armas inherited one of the league’s youngest rosters. That’s paired well with his preferred pressing style of play and Colorado’s unique home-field advantage.

“I’ve always been eager to implement my style of play at a club that plays and trains at altitude,” Armas said when his hiring was announced. “This advantage, along with high energy, attacking and entertaining football, can help our team and fans return to home field dominance. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to take the reins and to work with the entire staff to get the club back into the playoffs and ultimately to bring another MLS Cup to Colorado.”

Entering Saturday’s match no player in the league has covered more ground than Cole Bassett, and the Littleton native has played his way into consideration for the Olympic roster and MLS All-Star Game. The 22-year-old matched his career high with his sixth goal of the season Saturday when Omir Fernandez poked the ball back to the top of the 18-yard box in the 22nd minute. Bassett’s first-touch finish beat Austin goalkeeper Brad Stuver to open the scoring. Bassett had a couple of chances to add a second later in the first half, but Stuver pushed the shot out for a Colorado corner and the second was just off target in the final seconds before halftime.

No player has benefited from the change in style than Rafael Navarro. The 24-year-old Brazilian striker scored just one goal in 10 appearances after joining Colorado on loan from Palmeiras last season. Navarro scored nine goals and added three assists in the first half of the season and bagged his 10th with a volleyed effort in the 49th minute. The Rapids are reportedly in negotiations with the Brazil club to secure his services on a more permanent basis. Navarro’s transfer fee almost got more expensive with another goal around the hour mark, but his effort clanged off the crossbar and back into play.

There was little for Rapids goalkeeper Zack Steffen and the back line to worry about, as Austin managed just nine shots in the clean sheet.

With five of the next eight matches at home, where the Rapids are 4-2-2 this season, there’s a prime opportunity for the Rapids to continue their climb in Armas’ first season in charge.

Armas in MLS

As player

LA Galaxy (1996-97) – 50 appearances, four goals

Chicago Fire (1998-2007) – 214 appearances, eight goals

As coach

Chicago Fire (2008) – assistant

New York Red Bulls (2015-18) – assistant

New York Red Bulls (2018-20) – head coach

Toronto FC (2021) – head coach

Colorado Rapids (2024) – head coach