Join us for a conversation with Chris Canetti, the visionary behind Houston's 2026 World Cup bid and former President of Houston Dynamo and Dash. In this episode, Chris shares his journey from the baseball fields of New Haven to leading one of MLS' most successful franchises, and now spearheading Houston's effots to host the world's most prestigious soccer event.
Chris delves into his early days juggling numerous roles within soccer, his strategic vision that brought a women's team to Houston, and a never-before-told story of how he got Manchester United to come for the 2010 MLS All-Star Game. He explains the complexities and the exhilaration of transforming the Dynamo and Dash, enhancing their impact both on the field and within the community, culminating in several trophy wins under his leadership.
Transitioning to his current role, Chris outlines what it takes to secure a World Cup bid, from the initial pitch to FIFA, to highlighting Houston's diverse cultural and infrastructural strengths. He discusses unseen aspects of city bids and how previous international events in Houston have laid the groundwork for their World Cup aspirations.
Beyond the pitch, Chris reflects on the profound impact sports organizations can have on local communities and why this remains a priority in his expansive career.
Don't miss this deep dive into the behind-the-scenes action of soccer management and World Cup planning with one of the sport's most influential figures.
Now Live on Youtube, Spotify, Apple and everywhere else.
#OffThePitch • #SoccerBusinessPodcast
----------------------------------------------------
Subscribe on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastOffthePitch/
Follow Off the Pitch on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/podcastoffthepitch/
Follow Off the Pitch on TikTok:
http://www.tiktok.com/@podcastoffthepitch
Follow Chris Canetti on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriscanetti/
Follow Matt Cunningham on social:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattcghm/
Follow David Kinnear on social:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-kinnear-b48857195/
To reach out to us please email:
contact@offthepitchpod.com
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Special Summer Offer: Exclusively on Apple Podcasts, try our Dateline Premium subscription completely free for one month! With Dateline Premium, you get every episode ad-free plus exclusive bonus content.
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.