Chris Canetti stepping down from Houston Dynamo, Dash

Friday, the Houston Dash and Dynamo announced that club President Chris Canetti would be stepping down from the club. He will stay with the club until his contract expires at the end of the year. Canetti will become the President of the Houston World Cup Bid Committee starting in January after his time with the Dynamo and Dash ends.

“Today, I am filled with mixed emotions. I love this club, cherish my time here, and feel sadness about it coming to an end,” Canetti said in a team release, “but I am confident that is the right time to move on to the next challenge. And with this next challenge comes the opportunity to work on something vitally important to the game of soccer and our community, and that’s ensuring that Houston secures World Cup matches in 2026.”

Canetti has been with the Dynamo since the club’s inaugural season in 2006 and has been the President since 2010. He was a huge part of the effort in 2014 to form the Houston Dash who currently play in the National Women’s Soccer League. He also helped to create the club’s partner ship with Rio Grande Valley FC their USL affiliate.

Janis Burke, CEO of the Sports Authority, said, “Chris has great experience in this space and will be instrumental in our World Cup bid efforts. Although our region won a spot on the final bid submission that was sent in to FIFA, there is still much work ahead of us to guarantee that we make the cut from the 17 U. S. cities currently listed down to ten. That decision will be made in approximately two years.” Canetti will work under Burke as in his new role with the Houston World Cup Bid Committee.

By staying until December 31, Canetti will be helping the club to find a new President and assist in the transition.

Update:

In a letter to fans team owner Gabriel Brener said that the club has started looking for a Chief Business Officer in preparation for Canetti’s departure. You can check out his full statement here.