Houston Dynamo FC has hired Martín Vásquez as an assistant coach, the Club announced today.
Vásquez joins the Dynamo after nearly nine years with the Real Salt Lake organization and three years with U.S. Soccer as an assistant coach and scout for the U.S. Men’s National Team. The 57-year-old also brings experience as a head coach in MLS, having coached Chivas USA in 2010. Vásquez previously worked with Dynamo head coach Tab Ramos at U.S. Soccer from 2011-14.
“We feel excited and fortunate to add Martin to our staff,” Dynamo head coach Tab Ramos said. “His coaching experience in MLS, Europe and at the National Team level, in addition to his playing experience in Mexico and the US, brings tremendous value to our Club.”
The Yahualica, Mexico native began his coaching career following a 17-year career in professional soccer across North America. Vásquez began at the grassroots level in Southern California at area high school and collegiate programs prior to his two-year stint as an assistant with the San Diego Spirit of the Women’s United Soccer Association. He remained in Southern California as he transitioned to the MLS coaching ranks. Vásquez held assistant coach positions with the LA Galaxy in 2004 and with Chivas USA from 2005-2008.
Vásquez left his post with Chivas USA in 2008 to join the coaching staff at German giants Bayern Munich under Jurgen Klinsmann. The former midfielder returned to Los Angeles in 2010 to serve as the head coach of Chivas USA.
Vásquez began his tenure with Real Salt Lake in 2011 after he joined the RSL-Arizona Academy. The 57-year-old reunited with Klinsmann in 2011 and joined the U.S. Men’s National Team for three years and joined Ramos as an assistant coach at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Vásquez returned to the Real Salt Lake organization full-time in 2014 as the head coach and director of soccer operations for the U-16 and U-18 teams in the Grand Canyon State. He would go on to serve as the head coach of the RSL USL Championship affiliate, Real Monarchs, in 2019.
The former U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder enjoyed a 17-year professional career that began with the Los Angeles Lazers of the Major Indoor Soccer League in 1984. He featured for two more indoor clubs prior to departing for his native Mexico to play with Leones Negros U de G. He also played for Puebla and Veracruz prior to spending four years with Atlas. Vásquez also represented the Mexican National Team from 1991-1992 and received a one-time exemption from in 1996 to represent the United States. He would make his USMNT debut on Dec. 21,1996 against Guatemala in a 1998 FIFA World Cup qualifying match.
The midfielder was allocated to the Tampa Bay Mutiny of MLS in the league’s inaugural season in 1996. He was later named to the All-Star Game and finished with nine goals in 59 appearances for the Florida club across two seasons. Vásquez retired after one season with the San Jose Clash and a brief stint with the Orange County Zodiac in 1999.
