Tab Ramos is putting his stamp on the club and the city

Tabaré Ramos’ inaugural season with the Houston Dynamo was one of the strangest years, not just in Major League Soccer but in our world. Not long after premiering in a full BBVA Stadium versus LA Galaxy, the world shut down and went into quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Tab found himself analyzing and breaking down a tough road loss against rival, Sporting Kansas City, for more than 4 months before his team saw action again. After Alberth Elis’ departure to Europe, the team started struggling while adjusting to Ramos playing system. In the end, Houston, found themselves with only 4 wins out of 23 matches and second to last (just above FC Cincinnati) in the overall table.

Fast forward to 2021, Tab was able to bring in players he wanted, to fit his system, compared to having to use what he had in 2020 and make it work. Houston Dynamo FC is 100%, Tab’s team now. His tactical influence is there. His passion has been passed down to each player. The players are fighting for their coach and they see that the coach is fighting for them and has their back. Ramos is a very animated coach, who feels the game, like he once did as a player. On many occasions for Houston (as it tends to be often in MLS), referee calls have made an impact on the game, only for Tab to receive an apology from the league.

Tab finally had enough when playing against rival Sporting Kansas City at home on Wednesday night. Frustrated with calls clearly going against his players, Ramos left the designated coaching box and made a point to tell the assistant referee that there was no way he could not see a foul against Fafa Picault, being only 2 feet away from where it happened. Referee Chris Penso showed Ramos a red card and sent the Dynamo head coach to an early exit.

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Tab Ramos being red carded ignited the fans inside BBVA stadium, not just to boo the official, but to stand to their feet and applaud Ramos as he walked back to the locker room. That night Tab gained the respect and admiration from the club’s fanbase, if it was not there already, due to his passion to fight for his players when he felt they were being officiated unfairly and for the city and fanbase. Tab’s record in the first 5 games has been an impressive start to the 2021 season and the Dynamo will need to continue to make BBVA Stadium a fortress. If this team can show the determination and heart they did on Wednesday night, not many opponents will walk out of Houston with points and the Dynamo will be fighting to earn a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs in his Ramos’ second season at the helm.

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