HOUSTON (Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024) – Houston Dynamo FC announced today that Juan Guerra will join Ben Olsen’s coaching staff, as an assistant coach. The Dynamo and Phoenix Rising FC from the USL Championship negotiated an undisclosed fee for Guerra’s arrival for the start of the 2024 preseason.
“Juan is one of the bright up-and-coming coaches in the United States, leading Phoenix Rising to a title in the USL Championship last season. He stood out in our search process for the similarity of his game model, his progressive training methodology and his ability to translate his soccer ideas into team results. We look forward to working with him to build on the foundation we established last season,” Dynamo General Manager Pat Onstad said. “We want to thank Phoenix Rising for their cooperation in allowing Juan to make this next step in his career and we are excited to welcome Juan and his family to their new home in Houston.”
Guerra joins Ben Olsen’s staff from Phoenix Rising FC after leading the club to its first USL Championship title last season, defeating the Charleston Battery on penalties in November. Phoenix earned 48 points in the regular season, while boasting a 7-3-7 (WLD) home record to finish sixth in the Western Conference and earn a playoff spot.
The 36-year-old launched his coaching career in 2019, serving as an assistant with USL Championship side Indy Eleven for two years, helping the team to a club-best semifinal run during his first season. Guerra spent the 2021 season as an assistant with Phoenix, helping the club win the Pacific Division by 15 points and lead the USL Championship in goals (68). The Venezuelan native spent part of 2022 as Oakland Roots SC’s head coach before returning to lead Phoenix later that year.
As a player, Guerra represented Venezuela’s senior national team on six occasions, while playing professionally for clubs in South America, Europe and the United States between 2008-18, scoring 17 goals over 214 appearances. Guerra played collegiate soccer at Florida International University, scoring 14 times over 44 appearances.
