Wilmer Cabrera spent 2015 traveling around the world watching soccer.

Employed by FIFA and CONCACAF, Cabrera had a hand in technical study groups at all of those organization's big youth tournaments.

Cabrera was immersed in the sport that has taken him to great success, but something was missing.

He missed his cleats. He missed his shorts. He missed the locker room.

The Dynamo gave it all back to him early this year. This week, they brought him to Houston and gave him his biggest opportunity.

Cabrera, 49, on Friday was announced as the fourth coach in Dynamo history. He replaces Wade Barrett, who led the team on an interim basis for the final five months of the 2016 season.

Cabrera was employed by the Dynamo as coach of their first-year United Soccer League affiliate, Rio Grande Valley FC. Cabrera led RGV FC to a second-place finish in the Western Conference.

Now he is back for a second try at the MLS level. He cannot wait to get onto the training field.

"I love to be teaching," Cabrera said. "Teaching is my passion. I like to interact with the players and show them how things work and why. When they understand and grasp that concept for themselves, I love that."

Club in a down cycle

The Dynamo would love it if Cabrera is the coach to lead the organization back to the top of the league. The Dynamo enjoyed grand beginnings in 2006 and 2007 when their first two seasons ended with MLS Cup championships.

The franchise had good showings throughout the next six seasons but has hit a wall in the last three. The Dynamo have not made the playoffs since 2013.

The last two years have been particularly difficult. The club did not contend for a playoff berth either year. This year, it finished last after a midseason coaching change and with a roster that lacked enough attacking quality prevented it from building momentum.

One of president Chris Canetti's go-to lines over the last two seasons is that status quo is not acceptable. He repeated that at Friday's news conference.

"This is a very important time for the Dynamo organization," Canetti said. "This was a very important decision. We're very confident that we have found the right person to fit this job right now based on all the criteria and qualities we are looking for. We want to get back to our winning ways, the great history we have here at this organization."

Range of experience

The Dynamo picked Cabrera in part because of his wide-ranging coaching experience. He has coached at the youth international levels, in the USL and in MLS.

He was an assistant with the Colorado Rapids and in 2014 was the boss of Chivas USA, which MLS shut down at the end of that season.

Dynamo general manager Matt Jordan and assistant GM Nick Kowba worked closely with Cabrera as he guided RGV FC to the playoffs this year. Throughout the season, they saw up close how he works with the players and learned about his characteristics.

Jordan said it is clear Cabrera's plan and goals align with those of the Dynamo.

There is a lot on Cabrera's plate as he attempts to help the Dynamo rise from their lowest point. He knows what is at stake.

"I understand the responsibility to be the head coach for a big club like Houston Dynamo with big history, with a big fan base," Cabrera said. "I am here because I am well-prepared to do it."