<![CDATA[Soccer Banter - Chris Canetti]]>Mon, 20 May 2013 12:00:34 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[Q & A with Chris Canetti]]>Fri, 18 Nov 2011 17:01:28 GMThttp://www.soccerbanter.org/143/post/2011/11/first-post.htmlPicture
It has been quite the year for the Houston Dynamo, it started back in February with the groundbreaking of their new stadium and on Sunday the club will be looking to win it's third MLS Cup.  This week Soccer Banter spoke with one of the architects behind all the club's success, Chris Canetti, President of Business Operations for the Dynamo.  Follow Canetti on twitter @ChrisCanetti

Soccer Banter:  For those interested in the business side of MLS, explain your role as President of Business Operations?

Chris Canetti:  I oversee everything and am ultimately responsible for the entire organization from the business side to the results on the field.  Dominic Kinnear handles evaluating player and transactions, but again it falls under my responsibility. 

SB:  With the league changing, and more soccer specific stadiums being built, how important do you feel it is for a franchise to have their own soccer stadium?

CC:  It’s an absolute must and is now essential in MLS.  The old model of using an NFL stadium doesn’t work anymore.  A club needs to build brand credibility with their fan base and a soccer specific stadium provides that.  I think if you look at the on field success of team’s it can also be tied to teams playing in new soccer specific stadiums.  We were without our own stadium for awhile and enjoyed a great relationship with the University of Houston and Robertson Stadium, but we are all very excited for the move to Dynamo Stadium in 2012. 

SB:  Where is Dynamo Stadium currently at in the building stages? 

CC:  We are eight months in with six more months to the grand opening on May 12.  Everything is on schedule and we have stayed within the budget.  It has been a lot of fun to watch the progression during the last eight months and we are all excited to witness the continued progression.

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SB:  MLS has added quite a few soccer specific stadiums in recent years, what will make Dynamo Stadium a unique experience compared to other stadiums? 

CC:  The greatest attraction for Dynamo Stadium is being located downtown Houston next to Minute Maid Park and the Toyota Center.  We believe the location makes all the difference in the world attracting fans compared to more remote suburban location.  The stadium itself will have all the amenities geared towards attracting the corporate business with suites while the soccer fan will be able to view the action from any seat in the stadium.  We have a passionate fane base that enjoyed a great experience at Robertson Stadium, but I believe that experience will be elevated to another level at Dynamo Stadium. 

SB:  The Dynamo has finally found success on the road during MLS Playoffs and now will basically be a road team on Sunday, what are your thoughts on the team’s run this postseason?

CC:  Our plan from Day 1 was to make the playoffs, because we believe in this league once you make the playoffs every team has just a good chance of winning the Cup as the next team.  We were coming off our worst season ever and we were desperate to build a team to make the playoffs.  With the new stadium opening in 2012, we felt it was important to restore credibility with our fans and we overhauled 50% of our roster during the offseason and then made four more moves during the season.  These transactions worked and created the right mixture for the team.  

We were able to add more midfielders, which allowed us to move Geoff Cameron to defense.  Calen Carr was finally able to get healthy and it just seemed the whole makeup of the team had changed.  I believe we were two different teams this season, one before the transfer window and a much better team after the transfer window shut.  We have a fun group that I enjoy being around, all the players are confident and believe in themselves.  As a collective group, they all know their roles within the team.  

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SB:  Brad Davis went down injured against Sporting KC in the semifinals, but the team was able to overcome the loss of their MVP candidate and get the win, will the Dynamo be able to do it again without him on Sunday?

CC:  Losing Brad Davis is a big loss for us, but as the team showed against KC, we are not a team based on one player.  When I went down at half-time to check on Brad, I expected the team to be already out on the field warming up, but they were still in the locker room huddled up talking.  When I heard what they were saying, I knew we would win that match.  We came out in the second half without Davis, playing in a very hostile environment and scored two goals.

I would prefer to have Brad on the field, but I believe we have options that can sill make us dangerous, whether that is moving Corey Ashe to the wing and bringing Jermaine Taylor to the back who adds size to the lineup.  These move change our team a little bit.  We are clearly the underdog, no one is picking Houston, but we are ok with that.  It’s not every season that you are playing for the championship and we expect to make the most of this opportunity.  

SB:  You have been working in MLS since 2000, the league has changed drastically during that time with the addition of teams, soccer specific stadiums, academy programs, designated player rule, etc.  What is the next for MLS?  

CC:  We need to have continued growth, continue to add more fans, which increases revenue and then clubs are able to improve the product on the field.  It’s going to take time, but there is so much positivity with soccer, MLS and with the specific clubs right now. 

SB:  What do you say to people that still don’t believe soccer has made it in America?

CC:  I think those people are naïve and aren’t paying attention to what is actually going on with soccer and specifically Major League Soccer.  The Sounders have a larger season ticket holders list than NBA an NHL franchises, the TV ratings for soccer are at an all time high just look at this past summer’s Women’s World Cup.  The sport is only going to continue to get bigger even with some people’s resistance. 

SB:  What has been your most memorable moment involved in the game of soccer?

CC:  I would have to say winning the first championship with the Houston Dynamo.  I started that season with the Metrostars and new owners came in and made a lot of changes when branding the club as the Red Bulls.  It was a rough period for me professionally and I relocated to Houston to work with the Dynamo.  To be at Pizza Hut Park with 6,000 Dynamo fans, when Pat Onstad made the save on the final penalty kick, it’s a moment I will never forget. 
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