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The Houston Dynamo fanbase has been a buzz since Tab Ramos was hired on to be the Houston Dynamo Head Coach. After introducing himself to the Houston press and doing a media blitz as the new head coach, it was finally time for Ramos to begin his job leading this team and he made his first big splash.
— Houston Dynamo (@HoustonDynamo) November 4, 2019
Omid Namazi and Pablo Mastroeni have joined the Dynamo staff as assistant coaches. https://t.co/Yb5Itpfe0g
Omid Namazi and Pablo Mastroeni are both big additions to Ramos’ coaching staff and will help him usher in a fresh start for the Dynamo. It also signals that he will be able to bring in his own brand new staff.
Namazi played professional soccer in the states dating back to 1988 when he signed with the Washington Diplomats of the now defunct American Soccer League. From there he bounced around outdoor and indoor american soccer leagues, including a stint with the MetroStars of the MLS, until 2008. Namazi began his coaching career with the Philadelphia KiXX indoor soccer team and has also bounced around during his coaching career. Most notably, he’s been an assistant coach for the US Women’s National Team as well as Ramos’ assistant for years with the US U-20 Men’s National Team.
Mastroeni’s experience comes primarily from the MLS. Mastroeni played in the league for 16 years playing in 334 games for the Miami Fusion, Colorado Rapids and LA Galaxy. Mastroeni went into coaching following his retirement as he was the Rapids’ head coach for three seasons compiling a 46-58-41 coaching record while dealing with one of the lowest payrolls in all of MLS. Despite his overall subpar coaching record, Mastroeni helped lead the Rapids to the greatest record in franchise history in 2016 which had him finish second in MLS coach of the year voting. Mastroeni also helped lay the foundation for Colorado’s current academy system which has improved.
Both Namazi and Mastroeni bring different types of coaching experience to the field, but both seem to be well suited and prepared to take on the transformation needed in Houston. Moves like this will only ramp up the buzz that’s already surrounding Ramos and his new staff.