With the MLS Cup being played on Sunday, it's only fitting to speak with someone involved with one of the teams, but who isn't directly involved in the game. This week for "Five for Friday' we spoke with Desiree Guenther, who is a Marketing Specialist for Greenstar Recycling, the official shirt sponsor for the Houston Dynamo. I have known Desi since 2004, when I first recruited her to the University of New Haven, but after a quick glance of her answers, it's safe to say that her junior college coach had more of an impact on her life than me!! You can follow Guenther on twitter @dg13 and Greenstar Recycling @GreenstarRecycl
Soccer Banter: What is your own personal background in the game of soccer?
Desiree Guenther: Started playing when I was 4 years old. My two older brothers played and I had to do everything they did. Made the move to club soccer at 11 years old and it not only became my lifestyle, but my parents’ too. Year-round soccer and many weekends spent traveling to tournaments. Had the privilege to play for San Diego Surf during high school, but tore my ACL senior year. Went to Long Beach City College for 2 years, won 2003 National Championship and then made a big move across country to University of New Haven in CT for my final 2 years. While at New Haven, I was part of the program’s two best seasons with back-to-back trips to the NCAA tournament. I love to play the game and the strategy behind it. And now I love that I can bring soccer back into my daily life in a new way – managing Greenstar’s jersey sponsorship of the Houston Dynamo.
SB: What is Greenstar Recycling?
DG: Greenstar Recycling is one of American’s leading recyclers. Headquartered in Houston, Greenstar provides sustainable recycling solutions in the recycle processing, commodity upgrading, managed services and commodity trading sectors of the solid waste market. The company handles two million tons of recyclables per year, servicing over 12 million customers through a network of 14 processing facilities with over 10,000 managed services locations.
SB: Greenstar Recycling is the official sponsor of the Houston Dynamo, explain your role working with the club?
Soccer Banter: What is your own personal background in the game of soccer?
Desiree Guenther: Started playing when I was 4 years old. My two older brothers played and I had to do everything they did. Made the move to club soccer at 11 years old and it not only became my lifestyle, but my parents’ too. Year-round soccer and many weekends spent traveling to tournaments. Had the privilege to play for San Diego Surf during high school, but tore my ACL senior year. Went to Long Beach City College for 2 years, won 2003 National Championship and then made a big move across country to University of New Haven in CT for my final 2 years. While at New Haven, I was part of the program’s two best seasons with back-to-back trips to the NCAA tournament. I love to play the game and the strategy behind it. And now I love that I can bring soccer back into my daily life in a new way – managing Greenstar’s jersey sponsorship of the Houston Dynamo.
SB: What is Greenstar Recycling?
DG: Greenstar Recycling is one of American’s leading recyclers. Headquartered in Houston, Greenstar provides sustainable recycling solutions in the recycle processing, commodity upgrading, managed services and commodity trading sectors of the solid waste market. The company handles two million tons of recyclables per year, servicing over 12 million customers through a network of 14 processing facilities with over 10,000 managed services locations.
SB: Greenstar Recycling is the official sponsor of the Houston Dynamo, explain your role working with the club?
DG: I work closely with the Dynamo every day. There are a lot of moving parts to our partnership and we are continuously trying to maximize the opportunities. Some examples of elements we bring to life are: game day activation, events at the Houston Amateur Sports Park (where the team trains), Dynamo Charities programs, online activity, social media, educating the fans and local businesses about recycling, engaging with the local schools/community events and supporting recycling at all Dynamo events. We have also been planning for the new Dynamo Stadium, which is currently being built in downtown Houston. It is looking great and the entire city is excited for this unique venue. It is important to Greenstar to not only connect with the team, fans and partners, but to also help avoid landfills and reduce waste costs for the Dynamo. Recycle and everybody wins!
SB: What is your most memorable moment in the game of soccer as a player or fan?
DG: 22-0 perfect season in 2003 at LBCC: No.1 ranked in nation for JCs. Scoring in the semi final game in Lemoore, CA, upper 90, with the ball still on the rise. It was my first season back from ACL and glad I could contribute. The entire season and championship was amazing. The tradition and pride at LBCC under Mauricio Ingrasia was incredible.
SB: During this past season working with Dynamo through your affiliation with Greenstar, what has been the most memorable part of your job?
DG: Memorable? Memorable sounds like it is in the past. The season is still going! Dream Scream Believe - Bleed Orange, Go Dynamo! BEAT LA this Sunday.
It has been fun to see it all come to life. When a deal gets done, it’s just a piece of paper. Imagination, teamwork and action make it have a heartbeat. Greenstar is still fairly young in the US (entered the North American market in 2007), but now we are seeing a real identity. Also, seeing how far the fans have come not only to get to know Greenstar, but to understand what recycling is! Being born and raised in San Diego, I grew up recycling. No one had to teach me, it was just what you did. Great thing about Houston is there is a lot of room for improvement. It has been fun to watch the fans bring bags and even trucks full of recycling to game days and other events we host. We look forward to building on the first year's success as the jersey sponsor with this fantastic team and excited for the future.
SB: What is your most memorable moment in the game of soccer as a player or fan?
DG: 22-0 perfect season in 2003 at LBCC: No.1 ranked in nation for JCs. Scoring in the semi final game in Lemoore, CA, upper 90, with the ball still on the rise. It was my first season back from ACL and glad I could contribute. The entire season and championship was amazing. The tradition and pride at LBCC under Mauricio Ingrasia was incredible.
SB: During this past season working with Dynamo through your affiliation with Greenstar, what has been the most memorable part of your job?
DG: Memorable? Memorable sounds like it is in the past. The season is still going! Dream Scream Believe - Bleed Orange, Go Dynamo! BEAT LA this Sunday.
It has been fun to see it all come to life. When a deal gets done, it’s just a piece of paper. Imagination, teamwork and action make it have a heartbeat. Greenstar is still fairly young in the US (entered the North American market in 2007), but now we are seeing a real identity. Also, seeing how far the fans have come not only to get to know Greenstar, but to understand what recycling is! Being born and raised in San Diego, I grew up recycling. No one had to teach me, it was just what you did. Great thing about Houston is there is a lot of room for improvement. It has been fun to watch the fans bring bags and even trucks full of recycling to game days and other events we host. We look forward to building on the first year's success as the jersey sponsor with this fantastic team and excited for the future.
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