The Houston Dynamo announced on Monday that Omid Namazi and Pablo Mastroeni have joined the club’s technical staff as assistants under new coach coach Tab Ramos.
Namazi is a longtime Ramos colleague, having worked with La Naranja’s new boss on the US Under-20 men’s national team staff over the years; he also served as the US U-18 national team head coach and a US women’s national team assistant. The Iranian-American veteran also played and coached in the indoor soccer circuit, served on the staff of the Iranian national team and coached in that nation’s domestic league.
Mastroeni, 43, joins the Dynamo after serving as the head coach of the Colorado Rapids from 2013 to 2017; prior to that he was a longserving player with the Mile High Club for more than a decade, captaining the squad and anchoring the midfield over 225 MLS games of service (18,669 minutes), both club records.
Mastroeni was also a distinguished US international for much of his playing career, starring in the US men’s national team’s underdog run to the World Cup quarterfinals in 2002.
“I am very excited to announce that two such experienced coaches, who are even better human beings, are joining the club to continue to build the family that is the Houston Dynamo,” said Ramos in a club release.
“Omid and I have worked together for many years, his defensive expertise and attention to detail make him a tremendous asset in completing our staff. Pablo needs no introduction to the highest level of the game. He has already been an MLS head coach and his experience on and off the field with the players will be invaluable.”
