Early Monday evening the Houston Dynamo media department sent out a press release stating that an 'important announcement' was to be made on Tuesday afternoon. The press release set off Twitter as fans speculated what the major announcement would be, with most fans figuring either a new jersey sponsorship deal or stadium progress report would be discussed.
However, Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle posted a story story late in the night breaking the news that the press conference is being held to announce that current Houston Dynamo COO and acting/interim-president Chris Canetti has been formally promoted as team president.
Canetti has been the Dynamo's COO since early summer when then-president Oliver Luck left the team to be the athletic director at his alma mater, West Virginia University. Mr. Canetti's work over the summer was a massive success and he helped transform Houston into a soccer city during the World Cup as a part of the Dynamo's Summer of Soccer. He also led a group of Dynamo staff in the planning and execution of the MLS All-Star Game at Reliant Stadium against English powerhouse, Manchester United, one of the most successful all-star games in North American sports history.
"I'm honored and privileged to be given this opportunity and thank ownership for their confidence in me," Canetti told the Houston Chronicle. "These are exciting times for our organization and I look forward to leading it into the future."
Canetti's leadership will be called upon this offseason as the Houston Dynamo continue to make progress on the team's stadium and are forced to make difficult decisions about the team and future of the squad ahead of the 2011 season.
Check back here and at Dynamo Theory on Tuesday after the formal announcement is made for more details and information.