Houston Dynamo hire Ben Bartlett as Director of Methodology

The Houston Dynamo began December hiring Englishman Ben Bartlett as their first ever Director of Methodolgy. In a short sense, he is supposed to develop programs to make the coaching and player development more cohesive. Not to mention helping to create a club identity that resonates with the fans base. Interesting to say the least.

Bartlett has spent his entire soccer career in England. His primary role will be the development of youth program's that mimic the style of the Houston Dynamo first team so that players would conceivablt develop and be able to step right in and make an impact at the highest level. The big question will be how long does that take to show results. The san jose Earthquakes hired their first ever Director of Methodology in 2017 and it has no borne many positives at the top. The Quakes have finished last or next to last three times since and have not made the playoffs since 2017.

A Director of Methodology although inherent European Soccer appears to be a new trend for MLS soccer, FC Dallas hired their first ever moving long time coach Marco Ferruzi into that spot in 2022. The L.A. Galaxy have had someone with this title for at least the last three seasons. The Columbus Crew has had one as far back as 2015 which also dates to Onstad's time with the club.

Bartlett's resume includes working with a variety of English teams and the Heading of Coaching at Fulham FC. In the past three years with the 46 year old at the helm of working with coaches and performance staff to create, execute and review tailored development programs for players to transition and thrive in a competitive environment at the highest level of the sport, the team has finished 19th and 18th in the Permier Lague table. Fulham currently sits ninth in the 2022-2023 table fifteen matches in.

This is a move that also says the Houston Dynamo are rebuilding and fans should not look forward to any different results in the near future than they have had recently. It's a work in progress.