I recently sat down with good friend and ex-teammate of mine, Chris Maxwell of the Houston Dynamo staff, and got the low-down on his new employers as they enter their seventh MLS campaign. We discussed what the near future holds for Houston, their dirty laundry, and avoiding the drop in the English Premier League, during the course of this fun conversation.
Matt Guinto: Chris, nice to be able to speak with you today, of course. Good friend of mine, yea.
Chris Maxwell: Yea, man, it’s a pleasure.
Guinto: Why don’t we start by just telling me a bit about what it is you do for the Houston Dynamo.
Maxwell: Sure. Well, my official title is Soccer Operations Coordinator. I work a lot as an assistant equipment manager to Michael Porter; basically just supervise practices and games, make sure the equipment is all there, all of the sponsor logos are visible for the media, see that the players all have the appropriate gear that they require, and so on. Even do the laundry. (Laughs)
Guinto: Excellent. Sounds like you stay busy and get your hands dirty then. How does one fall into that sort of position?
Maxwell: Started off as an intern in the Operations Department and just really fell into it by offering to help out and do a little extra.
Guinto: Okay, then. So basically you get to watch the team practice and play on match day so --
Maxwell: Right.
Guinto: -- so maybe you can offer a little inside scoop. Give us an idea of a quality player we should be looking to see breakthrough in the MLS sometime soon for Houston.
Maxwell: Oh, man, tough question. Umm, we have plenty of quality in our young guys, but if I had to say one that I can think of: Alex Dixon, number 19.
Guinto: And why’s that?
Maxwell: He is an Academy player, young and strong in the midfield. Right now he is fighting for a spot with Brad Davis and Colin Clark, so it’s tough.
Guinto: I’ll keep an eye out. Now, Coach Kinnear. Do you ever get to deal directly with him and if so, what’s he like?
Maxwell: I do, fortunately, because he is a great guy and an awesome coach. He’s very passionate and everyone in the club is all bought in to his system, so it works well.
Guinto: Well, that’s good, though. For example, Sir Alex Ferguson has no qualm reiterating time and time again that he is the “most important person at Manchester United.” And personally, I think that’s the right way to run a club. Now, Do you get to travel with the team when they go on the road? Because I know you haven’t even had a home game yet, so –
Maxwell: No, I haven’t traveled. Well, I did once when Mike Porter was out, but like you said we haven’t had any home games yet. (Laughs) So ‘no’ is the actual answer to that.
Guinto: (Laughs) So I have here that you guys played the preseason tournament down at Disney Wide World of Sports – beautiful facility – and then only away games in the league. And the next four games are also away, right? Looks like Chicago, Columbus, DC United, and New York Red Bulls…
Maxwell: Yea, tough stretch of Eastern Conference games for the guys.
Guinto: Predictions?
Maxwell: Ah, tough.
Guinto: Out of the next 12 points, Houston will take…
Maxwell: Six or nine. I know that Colin Clark is facing a three-game suspension and Adam Moffat in the midfield, too, is out, so –
Guinto: Then 9 points out of the next 12 is a strong run of results. Especially an away run like that; should set you up nicely if you can take those points to come back to the BBVA and start your home campaign, too –
Maxwell: Yea.
Guinto: – and maybe we’ll see Alex Dixon then with the two midfield suspensions?
Maxwell: Yea, it’s definitely possible.
Guinto: Okay, Chris. You’ve been great with the actual questions, but now onto my version of “a hot seat” drill. Don’t think too much here, just go with your gut.
Maxwell: Thank you. And okay, let’s do it!
Guinto: What is a Dynamo?
Maxwell: Oh, umm…(Laughs) I couldn’t tell you. Not the best start.
Guinto: I have here it’s a machine, like a generator, or an extremely energetic person. And now I know they chose that for the ties to the industrious history of the city of Houston, but they also play with high energy and intensity from what I’ve seen.
Maxwell: Yea, that is very true. But I should really have known that.
Guinto: No problem. Next: If Houston were a European team, whom would they be most like?
Maxwell: Jeez, killing me, Guinto. Umm…like you said a high energy team.
Guinto: Do you play long ball?
Maxwell: No. Definitely don’t just play long ball.
Guinto: From what I’ve seen, I would’ve said the likes of Tottenham or Napoli. High energy, good interchanging play but can mix it up as well. Fair?
Maxwell: I’m not really sure, but I can’t imagine anyone would have a problem with you drawing those comparisons.
Guinto: Next: If they played a season in the English Premier League, would the Dynamo avoid relegation?
Maxwell: Yea, the guys have a great chemistry, so I think they would avoid relegation. Middle table. Well, lower middle table.
Guinto: Wow, bold. I like it. Says a lot about how far the MLS has come and the direction we’re headed in.
Maxwell: Absolutely.
Guinto: More fun for you: practice or match day?
Maxwell: Haven’t had a home match, so can’t say. Sorry.
Guinto: Fair enough. First players to show up to training and last to leave?
Maxwell: Oh, I can’t answer that, man. All of these guys are so dedicated. I mean I could say any name and truly mean it, but recently who pops in my mind are Corey Ashe, Colin Clark and Andre Hainault. But seriously all of them.
Guinto: I believe it. Best and worst parts of your day?
Maxwell: Best: interacting with the guys before practice, seeing them as normal guys. I really enjoy that. And worst: hands down, doing the laundry. I hate doing my own laundry though, so – (Laughs)
Guinto: (Laughs) Oddest quirk about the guys?
Maxwell: Well, some players like to wear cold gear. Mind you, we’re in Houston and it’s not cold, so that’s strange. And people are very particular about their socks. But that’s all.
Guinto: (Laughs) Interesting. If the Houston Dynamo as an organization collectively went out to get a drink, what kind of drink would it be?
Maxwell: Oh, wow. Well, we have some real country types. You know, backwoods kind of guys. So, I would say a beer. Maybe like a St. Arnold’s beer, which is a Houston brewery.
Guinto: Okay, good choice. If you had to fight a first team player, whom do you think you could take on?
Maxwell: Are you kidding, Guinto? No one! I couldn’t take any of them I don’t think.
Guinto: Who would you most want to have your back in a fight?
Maxwell: Any of them, really, but maybe one of the hard-nosed center-mids. Adam Moffat or Bobby Boswell?
Guinto: Okay. Brian Ching is…
Maxwell: A really nice guy. And great player.
Guinto: Houston as a city, as an organization, and as a state of mind.
Maxwell: As a city, it’s too hot for you. You’d complain. But people are very nice and it’s a lot of fun; and beautiful. As an organization: great organization. Can’t even compare it to the likes of the Rochester Rhinos. Just an entirely different level. And what was the last one? As a state of mind? Friendly and laid-back.
Guinto: Excellent, my man. Almost done here. Have you ever seen the video of Albert Morgan, Manchester United’s Equipment Manager, where he tries on Ronaldo’s dirty undershirt, and then runs around Old Trafford with a ball? And you’ve done this, too? (See video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXMQeD6zObI)
Maxwell: (Laughs) Absolutely not! I wouldn’t do that. Come on, man!
Guinto: If you did, whose dirty undershirt would you put on?
Maxwell: No ones. I would never do that! I do these guys’ laundry every day, so I definitely wouldn’t want to wear it.
Guinto: Okay, Chris, last question. This next statement is true or false: ‘I, Chris Maxwell, am an unsung hero for the Houston Dynamo.’
Maxwell: No, I’m definitely not going to call myself that. If anyone fits that category it’s my manager, Mike Porter. He works hard for the club.
Guinto: Alright, man. You’re finished. Not so bad, right?
Maxwell: (Laughs) It was a lot of fun. But you did catch me on a few. Thanks, man.
Guinto: Thank you, maybe I’ll be checking back in a year or two and you’ll be running the joint.
Maxwell: Sounds good.
The Houston Dynamo currently sit in fourth place in the Eastern Conference behind three teams who have all played six games, twice that of the Texas club. If the Dynamo are able to pick up 9 points as Chris predicted from the three games in hand, they will be sitting in second behind undefeated Sporting Kansas City. Most notably, however, is that of the three teams above them, both DC United and New York Red Bulls are on deck for Houston. They open up their new BBVA Compass Stadium on May 12th and will hope to emulate the club success of their inaugural 2006 season. They repeated that accomplishment in 2007 with a second MLS Cup in their first two years. If they can manage to bring the sort of energy of European giants Napoli and Tottenham, then we should all be in for a treat as the season progresses. Oh, and as my final contribution here, mark your calendars for May 9th; Houston Dynamo visit Red Bull Arena to take on New York in what I’m tipping to be game of the season.
By Matthew Guinto; Red Devil, Red Bull, Ready... follow him on twitter @mattguintofooty
World Football Daily
