The Houston Dynamo will kick off their preseason back in the city where it first started: San Jose, California. Needless to say, mixed emotions abound among those players who got to experience playing in the Bay Area, where the team now known as the Houston Dynamo won MLS Cups in 2001 and 2003.
"It is kind of exciting," said Dynamo forward Brian Ching. "When we were there we built a good relationship with the fans. The fans supported us wholeheartedly, and we can't thank them enough for that. It's going to be nice to get back there and see them again."
Most of the players who had played in San Jose are excited to return and play in front of the hometown fans.
"It will be fun to see and play in front of people that cared about us, but I hope they don't have any misconceptions about this team or its players," said Dynamo defender Craig Waibel. "Some of us are glad to go back to San Jose, but we are perfectly happy here in Houston."
Despite the vivid memories the players are, with regards to the city and its fans, fully aware that once the ball starts rolling on the pitch it will be time to take care of business.
"I think the fans are going to root for us except for the times we play against them," said Ching. "I have talked to some of them, and they said they root for us to win championships, but that at the same time they are disappointed that we moved. At the same time, those fans are exited to have a new team. They are more than ready to cheer for them."
Regardless of the location of the preseason game, some of the Dynamo players want a break, even if it is further cement the team environment.
"We have to remember that this is a preseason trip, so it's good to just get away from home and get more into a camp environment," said Dynamo defender and team captain Wade Barrett. "I know that for the guys that played there, San Jose will be a nice place to go. At the end of the day, however, our focus remains solely on playing."
