The Houston Dynamo have named Michael Dellorusso as an assistant coach for the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros, the club’s new hybrid affiliate set to join USL in 2016. Dellorusso joins the technical staff of head coach Wilmer Cabrera ahead of the club’s first season.
Dellorusso served as head coach of Arizona United SC of USL for the last two seasons. He was an assistant coach at the University of Maryland under Sasho Cirovski from 2010-13 as the Terrapins won two Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season titles and three ACC tournaments. The team also reached the NCAA College Cup in two straight seasons (2012-13), with an appearance in the national title game in 2013.
“Michael will be a valuable addition to RGV FC and the Houston Dynamo organization,” Dynamo VP/general manager Matt Jordan said. “His experience coaching in the United Soccer League and at various levels will be important as we prepare for our inaugural season. He has a very good understanding of the landscape of soccer in North America and is eager to help our players develop and transition from RGV FC to our First Team.”
As a player, Dellorusso helped Maryland reach four consecutive NCAA College Cups (2002-05) and was captain as the Terrapins won the 2005 national championship. The Colombia, Md. native was drafted by FC Dallas in 2006 and also spent time with the Minnesota Thunder (USL) and Austin Aztex (USL).
“It is an honor to join the Houston Dynamo and Rio Grande Valley FC Toros organization,” Dellorusso said. “I look forward to working with Wilmer to help develop future and current Dynamo players, as well as compete in the ever-growing USL. This is a tremendous step for the Dynamo, as well as the city of Edinburg, Texas. On behalf of my wife, Hilary, and myself, we would like to thank the great people of the Houston Dynamo and RGV FC organizations for providing this opportunity.”
The Dynamo and RGV FC formed a hybrid affiliation in July. As part of the partnership, the Dynamo control all technical aspects of the club, including the selection and formation of the coaching staff as well as the construction of the roster. RGV FC, which operates the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the NBA D-League affiliate of the Houston Rockets, will manage business operations for the club, including the current construction of a 9,400-seat state-of-the-art soccer stadium in Edinburg, Texas, 330 miles southwest of Houston, across the Mexican border from Reynosa.
To date, Dynamo Academy products Christian Lucatero and Juan “Charly” Flores have been announced as members of the inaugural RGV FC roster in 2016. The Dynamo will continue to construct the inaugural RGV FC roster ahead of the club’s first preseason in March 2016.
