Takeaways From the Pádraig Smith and Kevin Demoff Press Conference

Commerce City, CO – In the aftermath of Chris Armas departing Colorado Rapids, the club had a press conference with President Pádraig Smith. Additionally, President of Team & Media Operations for Kroenke Sports and Entertainment Kevin Demoff joined Smith on stage. That is a first in at least a decade. Here’s the live stream below. Let’s talk about the big takeaways.

Demoff being there was a good first. Fans are still waiting on delivering results:

The big story here was that someone from KSE who’s above Smith showed up and spoke. Demoff’s predecessor Matt Hutchins was occasionally seen and rarely heard from. Demoff was front and center answering questions. That is a step in the right direction. Hopefully this is an indication Demoff and KSE are giving the Rapids attention that previously we weren’t aware of or didn’t think was happening.

This is the closest we’ve gotten to Josh or Stan Kroenke being available to discuss THE RAPIDS.

That said, much of what was said was high level vision. This was Smith’s fourth Groundhog Day Press Conference for longtime supporters. Lots of big, semi-ambiguous promises. Light no details, deadlines, and what happens if they come up short.

Integration into the KSE like never before?

Demoff brought up the other KSE owned teams many times and talked about integrating the Rapids into that sports group. That Gedion Zelalem rumor aside, the Rapids have felt financially and structurally isolated from the Nuggets, Avs, Rams, and Arsenal. To say nothing of how MLS’s roster rules make it harder for KSE to apply the same “draft, develop, go all in when you’re close” model they’ve used elsewhere.

“How do we share the best practices among our clubs? How do we share those resources? The team build model for MLS is different. The stadium is perfectly good enough if we deliver a winning product. I have spent as much time on the Rapids as I have any other club. Maybe that hasn’t been good enough. This club has the full attention of KSE. There would be no greater point about the power of this ecosystem than the Rapids winning MLS Cup and a full building here in Commerce City,” Demoff explained.

Demoff being hands on is encouraging. He’s above Smith on the org chart. Can he bring a pair of fresh eyes to the coaching search? Can he identify problems with how the club has been run and course correct?

All the other teams in KSE’s portfolio have had success. They’ve also been funded competitively for the league they are in. Can KSE’s process be better implemented with Demoff’s 30,000 ft oversight if the budget stays the same? What about the Nuggets and Avs winning is relevant for the Rapids to learn? That’s for Demoff to figure out.

“If we want fans to trust us, as Rapids, we have to deliver from a Rapids premise. It doesn’t not mean anything that the Nuggets, Avs, and Rams have won titles. They want to see promise in here in Commerce City,” Demoff added. “We don’t deserve that trust until we deliver on that.”

Chris Armas was good. Results weren’t good enough.

Both gents made it clear that results were not good enough. Smith referenced the club dropping 21 of a possible 36 points against other teams that did not make the playoffs. The Rapids Way emphasizes taking advantage of home field advantage at elevation. This was another regression in 2025.

“There’s the tactical expertise that we’re looking for to take this to the next level. We’re seeing a pattern, when we play at home, teams come in and sit deep. That was a struggle for us. No reason we shouldn’t be winning 11-12 games at home next season,” Smith explained.

The head coach search and ideal candidate:

Both parties liked how Armas improved the team through developing young players. He connected with the squad on a human level. They are looking for someone who can use their tactics to take better advantage of the home field advantage.

“We’re looking for someone that brings in a tactical nuance that brings the best out in our players,” said Smith. He went on to say the club has gotten lots of interest. We also heard that last time and the candidates underwhelmed fans relative to hires other MLS teams made.

“We need people (like the head coach) who can come in and credibly address the shortcomings while also seeing the positives in the club as well. We have to be able to hear that feedback and process it to help make us better,” added Demoff.

“I plan to help identify what is the best fit. What has become the KSE standard for a head coach? Identify those traits and empower them. We know what has worked at KSE, the questions to ask, and once they’re here, how to help them succeed.”

There’s been a growing idea in the Rapids Community that Paxten Aaronson and Cole Bassett have the same best position. Could they play together in a true double pivot? Smith said the next head coach will have to put Aaronson in a position to succeed and have the players around him succeed.

“We’ve got a young corp that is absolutely capable of anchoring contention over the next couple of years,” said Smith.

Accountability in a contract year and in general:

I am fascinated to see the coach the Rapids hire and what that contract looks like. Most of the Rapids FO including Smith are out of contract next year. Contract length was reportedly a point of disagreement when negotiating with Armas.

A growing number of Rapids fans think Smith isn’t being held accountable in ways he’s gotten to hold his hired coaches accountable by dismissing them.

“Do I believe this kind of leadership should get to choose four head coaches? No. I can only judge off my first 18-months (at KSE). This is our first chance to go in together. This is about us looking introspectively across the club and asking ‘where do we need to get better to meet those moments?'” Demoff said.

“I don’t view that as whether you’re in a contract year or you’re not. This year, objectively, we regressed. Our one job is to deliver hope to the fans that they’re going to see a championship product. Are you getting better every year? Those are the metrics whether you’re in a contract year or not.”

Roster moves are already underway. Official announcement won’t be soon.

Smith confirmed that Andreas Maxsø will be leaving the club, likely going back to Europe or to the Middle East. I would presume that means the club will decline his option. Smith also said Oli Larraz may test free agency. He’s eligible for it in MLS but may look for an opportunity in Europe.

We’ve been expecting Maxsø to leave this winter. Larraz is a surprise to me especially if the club lets him go on a free. That said, they have too many central midfielders. Larraz was due a pay bump.

The Rapids Way objectives haven’t changed. The model has evolved. Will spending?

Fans remember the line from The Rapids Way, “be a perennial playoff team, bring a second MLS Cup back to Colorado.” That is still the standard. Multiple questions were asked about spending on teh squad and stadium upgrades. The answers were not different.

“This club should be competing for titles. The fact that we have not had success should not lower the bar. This club should be competing for MLS Cup year in, year out. With that comes the accountability that we have to live up,” said Demoff.

“We have to come up with the model that is going to make the Rapids successful. We’ve chased a soccer system… based on how do we make the team more relevant, how do we get more people in the building. Right now, our job is how do we build the best roster for the short term and the long term. What is our competitive advantage? What are we doing that our peers aren’t doing?

“It’s not just about spending for spending sake. It’s building a core competency.

“The stadium is perfectly good enough if we deliver a winning product.”

Demoff has a history of overseeing sports construction projects that turn venues into mixed-use districts that get regular foot traffic and other events. He invoked the name Victory Crossing. He didn’t say specifically whether the club would replace the scoreboard, build around the stadium, or upgrade the south and west stands. We heard this before from Wayne Brant.

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