New Houston Dynamo FC goalkeeper coach Zach Thornton joins the club with a history of MLS success on the field and on the sidelines. Thornton has a wealth of experience to draw on in working with his goalkeepers. During his career, he played 282 games in the league and was named the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year twice.
Thornton also spent the past seven seasons as DC United’s goalkeeper coach, qualifying for the MLS Cup Playoffs four times and developing some of the League’s most promising goalkeepers.
The accomplished MLS veteran joined the Dynamo for the promise that he sees in the new direction of the Club and the potential of the city to become a national power in producing top young goalkeepers.
"I have a lot of respect for Paulo Nagamura. I have a ton of respect for Pat and Asher (Mendelsohn) as well. So just the whole organization, I felt like it was going in the right direction. With the new owner, it just seemed like it would definitely be a positive move for me,” Thornton said. "It's the fourth-largest city in America, so there's obviously tons of potential. That definitely enticed me to come here.”
Since moving here, Thornton has not had much time to explore the city, as he has been laser focused on getting the Dynamo goalkeepers ready to play the style that he desires.
"Since I played the position for a long time, I have an idea of how I like to teach it, how I like it to look and I just try to convey that in a clear and concise manner to the keepers,” Thornton said. "I preach footwork, moving your feet, getting set, being on the front foot, reading the game, reading free balls to go help your teammates out.”
Fans can get a first look at Thornton, the goalkeepers and the rest of the Dynamo coaching staff on Sunday, February 27, when the Dynamo take on Real Salt Lake in the season opener.
