'A special place in my heart': Juan Carlos Amoros waxes nostalgic on his return to Houston

Under Amoros, the Dash broke club records for goals scored, total points in a single season, wins, away wins, and highest-ever finish in the standings. There was an infectious enthusiasm about his stint in Bayou City. Belief swelled through the club.

Last October, even after the painful playoff exit to the Current, the overall feeling at the Dash was positive heading into the offseason. New general manager Alex Singer, who arrived in Houston two months prior, believed she had found the right person to take the club forward. 

But it wasn’t to be. Just a few weeks after the season had ended, Amoros turned down the opportunity to stay with the Dash and signed a three-year contract to become the head coach of New Jersey/New York Gotham FC. 

Amoros felt a move away from Houston would be better for his family, who had only recently moved from his native Seville in Spain to the United States. He and his wife had only recently had their first child before the 4,972-mile move to Houston. Being three hours of flight time and 1,500 miles closer to home was important. 

“Yeah, obviously it was a decision, at the time, that I felt like I had to make. It was what I felt was the best for my family. And I think it was I always say that don't be sad because something finished, be happy because it's happened. It is this kind of situation,” explained Amoros. 

From a career point of view, Amoros hinted that Gotham was also able to offer a longer-term contract. It likely offered more security and belief in developing an extended legacy at an NWSL club. 

“Unfortunately in this world that we live in, we are professionals in this sport. You know contracts sometimes are not as long as we would like for different reasons. And you know, sometimes you just need to make decisions in our careers,” he said. 

'Going in the right direction'

In some ways, the move could have been seen as a step down. At the time, Gotham was coming off a woeful and nearly historically bad season. The club finished dead last in the 2022 standings and managed just four wins and one draw in 22 regular season matches. 

Of course, in the NWSL, going from worst to first isn’t that far-fetched of a prospect. Just last season, the Current went from last place in 2021 to finishing runner-up in the NWSL Championship game. With an already talented squad in New Jersey — plus the big offseason signing of U.S. national team star Lynn Williams — Gotham was primed for a resurgence under Amoros. 

This year, that’s exactly what has occurred in the Garden State. By Matchweek Six of the 2023 season, Gotham had equaled its 2022 win total, by Matchweek Seven it had equaled its 2022 total points total, and by Matchweek Eight it was top of the NWSL standings after a stunning 4-1 win on the road to OL Reign. Right now, there is no ceiling on what this team can accomplish. 

“I am very happy here [Gotham]. I am very happy with how things are going. The club is really going in the right direction. The group of players is fantastic. I am lucky to have not only fantastic players but fantastic people the same with the staff,” beamed Amoros. 

“I think it's the same with the other clubs I've been at, Real Betis, Tottenham Hotspur. With every place I've been, I have always been able to leave some sort of legacy wherever that is and leave a positive mark.”

Many Dash fans would’ve circled this fixture on the calendar when the NWSL schedule was released. In the 713 it doesn’t feel like another match. For some, it’s about getting revenge. For others, the occasion is more about paying tribute to a good servant of the club. Seeing an old friend, enjoying the reunion. 

For Amoros, despite all the connections and relationships, he’s trying to make sure he and his squad are preparing as if it were any match in the season. 

“Same as always, treating it with normality," Amoros said about his preparations for the Houston match. "Normality for us has been maximum demand on every game. It doesn't matter who we play. That’s the key. Respect the team. Every team has strengths. Every team in this league has great players and so do we. It’s a question of doing our best to prepare to win the game."  

Due to the current air quality issues in New York and New Jersey this week, Gotham has been training in an indoor practice facility. They also had their midweek Challenge Cup match postponed. 

Amoros is adamant that the chaos up in the Northeast this week is not an excuse for any drop in performance, and that he and his staff are always ready to “adapt” to the unpredictability of soccer.

Gotham flew down early to Houston on Thursday to get two full days in Texas before Sunday’s match. Amoros praised the Dash for helping them get set up with great training pitches and anything they needed. The only thing that he confesses he may not looking forward to is the oppressive Houston heat — something he knows all too well having arrived in Texas last July. It is an obstacle that every away team in the league has to navigate.

While three points are mostly what Amoros will come to Houston for, he is excited to see some old places and friends too. 

The Gotham head coach was animated when talking about his plan to show off his favorite Texas BBQ restaurant to his new staff. He has made a tradition of going out to dinner at a restaurant that serves local cuisine and culture on every away trip. In Houston, he has the advantage of already knowing the best places. 

Similarly, his wife and one-year-old son will be making the trip down to Houston to reconnect with friends they made during their four-month stay in the city. 

In soccer, in life, just because something was fleeting doesn't mean it wasn't deeply felt. 

“It was very intense [my time in Houston], even though it was for a short period. I think it was five months that I spent there but definitely, definitely some good times. Memories will stay with me forever. So I’m really looking forward to going back there to see the people, especially an idea of what is hopefully a great football game.”