A huge addition several years ago to the Dynamos training staff was Roland Sikinger, who brings a wide background in national, professional and amateur soccer as a player, trainer, and coach."Roli has more high-level playing experience than our whole staff put together," declares Director of Training Olivier Finidori."He was actually one of my first coaches in 1987 with the Meadows in the Houston Football Association. Combine his knowledge and passion for the game with his loving and fun personality, you come up with an outstanding and very unique trainer." Roland spent his youth years in the soccer hotbed of Milwaukee with the Bavarians Soccer Club, a nationally-respected organization, and earned All-America honors as a high school player. He later played U. S. Olympic and professional soccer.
Birthday:March 20, 1959
Birthplace:Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Where and When did you learn soccer as a kid?:
In the backyard with my father and older brother.When I was seven years old I joined the Milwaukee Bavarians Soccer club.
Did it become your favorite sport immediately, or were you into anything else?:
I was into all sports, but soccer was my favorite.
Were there any specific persons in soccer who helped you along the way?:
My parents and brother were big influences in my early days. All my youth coaches, especially Willie Wessels during my junior years. Bob Gansler, former United States National team coach was a huge kick in the pants to get me thru my national and pro career.
Name teams for which you played (clubs, high school, college, pro):
Milwaukee Bavarians, JamesMadisonHigh School (All-American 1977), national youth teams; 1979 Pan American Games and 1980 U. S. Olympic squad. 1975-78, Houston Hurricane, North American Soccer League 1978-80, Houston Summit, Major Indoor Soccer League 1978-80, Wichita Wings, Major Indoor Soccer League, 1981, Houston Dynamos United Soccer League, 1984.Houston Saegerbund, Redstars, Meadows, Vintage Meadows, Houston Football Association, 1982-2001.
Are you playing currently?:
No, I hung up the boots when I was 41.
What has been your most satisfying playing experience?:
Winning the regional final against Flo-Valley, 1-0, in St.Louis to go to the Final Four of the McGuire Cup national playoffs.
What has been your most satisfying overall soccer experience?:
Coaching my children, Kelley and Jake.
Who were your favorite players or teams when you were a kid?:
Pele, Johan Cruyff, Georgie Best, Gerd Mueller, Franz Beckenbauer,and Sepp Maier. Favorite teams were Bayern Munich, Manchester United, and New York Cosmos.
What first got you interested in training youth players?:
I did not like what I saw how coaches were destroying players' moral. It was Marty Espinoza’s great influence that got me started in coaching. He said if I did not like what I was seeing, become a coach and change it.
If suddenly you were given the authority to make one change in the rules of soccer or to add some new rule,what would it be?:
As a goalkeeper, it would be smaller goals. I think relaxing the offside rule would help.Some referees' interpretation of being even with your last defender are different. Some times my belly gets me offsides.
What is the best thing about the Dynamos Select program?
With the small club it gives our trainers a better chance to develop the player, and we have the happiest, best looking kids around.
Most embarrassing experience in soccer: Running into a post while I’m doing laps.
What is your hobby (leisure time activity not associated with soccer)?:
I love to cook, and work outdoors.
Your. . .
Favorite Food: Anything that’s not a lima bean.
Favorite Reading: Jim Walker's Coaches Memo
Favorite Music: It’s all rock-n-roll to me, except rap.
Favorite Movie: Any Mel Brooks, or Monty Python
Favorite TV Show: Monty Python's Flying Circus, CSI, Law and Order
Any additional comments: Go Dynamos!