HOUSTON – With 20 matches left in the season, the Dynamo were forced to act quickly after the departure of former head coach Owen Coyle. Former Dynamo player and current assistant Wade Barrett has been appointed interim head coach.
"It's been a whirlwind over the last two weeks for the club, but we're really happy to name Wade as our interim head coach." Dynamo General Manager Matt Jordan said of the transition.
Barrett played for the Dynamo in 2006 and 2007, winning back to back championships as captain. Barrett has climbed the ranks as player, captain and assistant coach preparing for an opportunity like this and hopes to bring back a winning mentality to the franchise.
"One thing that I want to drive home to the players is really kind of the change in attitude." he said. "Hard work, discipline, and selfless work toward a common goal."
Goalkeeper Tyler Deric recognized that physicality has been a weakness for the squad in recent years.
"With Wade being appointed, I think it really adds that physicality back to the team, the nastiness back to the team that we need and that Wade is all about," Deric said.
From teammate to coach, Midfielder Ricardo Clark played with Barrett and remembers him as a great captain and a natural leader.
"He's very competitive, and he wants to win, and that's the best quality you can have," Clark said.
Sitting in last place in the Western Conference, the Dynamo have two draws under Barrett so far, one in Vancouver on May 28 and at Dallas on June 2. Next, the team will play in the U.S. Open Cup against San Antonio FC on June 15, then back to MLS play June 18 at home against D.C. United.