Houston Dynamo FC announce support staff changes for 2021 season

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EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif;" xml:lang="EN-US">The EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;" xml:lang="EN-US">Houston Dynamo Football Club EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif;" xml:lang="EN-US">announced updates to the Houston Dynamo FC and Dynamo Academy support staff as the Club prepares for the 2021 MLS regular season.  


EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif;" xml:lang="EN-US">“As a Club we take great pride in recognizing and promoting hard working and qualified individuals who have dedicated themselves to the organization. We are confident these staff members are prepared for these new roles as we prepare for the 2021 season,” said Senior Vice President and General Manager EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;" xml:lang="EN-US">Matt JordanEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif;" xml:lang="EN-US">.


EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;" xml:lang="EN-US">Casey CarlsonEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif;" xml:lang="EN-US"> was promoted from assistant athletic trainer to head athletic trainer following his third season with the Dynamo. Carlson joined the Club in March 2018, EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif;" xml:lang="EN-US">after serving as an athletic trainer at Kansas State UniversityEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif;" xml:lang="EN-US">. Carlson also previously worked in Major League Soccer with the Colorado Rapids and Los Angeles Galaxy, EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif;" xml:lang="EN-US">while also gaining professional experience as an intern with the San Diego Chargers in the NFLEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif;" xml:lang="EN-US">. Carlson received his bachelor’s in Athletic Training from South Dakota University and his master’s degree in Kinesiology from Georgia Southern University. Carlson is the fourth head athletic trainer in Club history.  


EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif;" xml:lang="EN-US">The Dynamo hired EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;" xml:lang="EN-US">Steven PeteraEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif;" xml:lang="EN-US"> as an assistant athletic trainer after three seasons with Reno 1868 FC in the USL Championship as their head athletic trainer. Petera received his bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training from James Madison University and began his career in sports with the Washington Capitals as an intern and his first full-time role came with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in 2008 as the strength and conditioning coordinator. Petera obtained his master’s degree in Kinesiology in 2013 at Georgia Southern University prior to his first role in professional soccer with Reno 1868 FC. 


EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;" xml:lang="EN-US">Joel LockhartEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif;" xml:lang="EN-US"> will transition to the Houston Dynamo FC First Team as an assistant athletic trainer. Lockhart joined the Club as the Dynamo Academy head athletic trainer in Aug. 2019 and led the effort for the Academy to return to play following the end of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy season in April. Lockhart joined the Dynamo after spending two years as an athletic trainer for the Indiana Fire youth soccer club from May 2017-Aug. 2019. He also spent time with U.S. Soccer as an athletic trainer for the U-14 U.S. Girl’s National Team in pre-tournament camps in 2018. Lockhart received his bachelor’s in Kinesiology from Southeastern Louisiana University and master’s from Illinois State University.  


EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;" xml:lang="EN-US">Brandi NeeleyEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif;" xml:lang="EN-US"> was hired as the Dynamo Academy head athletic trainer after serving as a part-time athletic trainer for the Academy in 2020. Neeley also served as an athletic trainer for the Houston Dash in the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup. Neeley received her bachelor’s in Athletic Training from the University of West Alabama and master’s in Health, Kinesiology and Sports Studies from Texas A&M University – Commerce.  


EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;" xml:lang="EN-US">Eddie CerdaEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif;" xml:lang="EN-US"> was promoted to Head Equipment Manager and will oversee the department for the Dynamo First Team. Cerda joined the Dynamo in 2016 as an assistant equipment manager after two seasons with FC Dallas as an equipment coordinator and residency academy director. Cerda graduated from William Carey University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Health, Physical Education and Fitness. The Monterrey, Mexico native was also the equipment manager for the men’s soccer team and served as a graduate assistant in 2014. Cerda graduated with his Master of Education in Interscholastic Athletic Administration in 2019 from William Carey University. 


EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;" xml:lang="EN-US">Shane Maxwell EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif;" xml:lang="EN-US">returns to Houston after splitting 2020 with the Barca Residency Academy in Casa Grande, Arizona and Portland Timbers. Maxwell was hired as the assistant equipment manager and this is his second stint with the Club. The Southeast Missouri State University alum joined the Dynamo as a First Team intern in Jan. 2018. He was offered a full-time position with the Houston Dash in May 2018 and served as the primary contact for the Dash equipment operation till the end of the 2019 NWSL season.