Before Orlando City unveiled the members of new coach James O’Connor’s technical staff, Daniel Byrd was by O’Connor’s side at Sylvan Lake Park.
In fact, the two walked to the training pitch together on O’Connor’s first day — Byrd was announced as an assistant coach four days later.
Byrd has known O’Connor since Orlando City’s USL days. Byrd was an Orlando City Youth Soccer coach, while O’Connor was a player/coach with Orlando City. Byrd joined O’Connor as assistant coach when the latter was named head coach at Louisville City FC.
“I think everybody always knew that James was destined for coaching,” Byrd said.
“He started getting his licenses very, very early on. He always had it in his mind that he was going to be a manager and he conducted himself that way. When I was in the academy, whenever James was around, people sort of straightened up, made sure you were clean-shaven, pulled your socks up, shirt tucked in kind of situation. He takes professionalism very seriously.”
Byrd’s close relationship to O’Connor doesn’t mean he sees a softer side of the straight-to-the-point manager.
“James is a really down-to-earth guy,” he said. “James is a family man, but when it comes to football, he switches right on and it gets really intense real quick. He’s a really good man. He’s someone who takes his football very seriously.”
O’Connor said having Byrd — and goalkeeper coach Thabane Sutu — in Orlando with him provides a balance for players.
“Because I can be so direct, they want to make sure the player understands that my intentions are always good,” O’Connor said. “We’re not trying to isolate anybody. We’re not trying to treat somebody where they feel inferior. We want to be very honest and say, ‘This is what we’re seeing. This is what needs to happen.’
“They can really help with managing that relationship.”
Byrd’s history is unique — he’s the son of missionaries — and it’s something that still influences him today.
“Born and raised in Zambia and then in Mozambique,” he said. “In those two countries — well, in most African countries — soccer is life. Leisure time or time outside of school is spent playing football in the streets with friends or at the parks. It was very natural. It’s just what you do.”
Of course, his faith is important to him. Being back in Orlando means he’s able to attend The Foundry Church in Winter Springs, where his friend Seth is the lead pastor, with his fiancée, Sarah, and his two daughters.
“My faith is very, very strong,” Byrd said. “For me and my family.”
And being raised outside the United States gave Byrd a perspective he wants to share with Orlando City.
“Having been involved or integrated into living in different cultures, you definitely get a broader perspective on the world. It’s one I wouldn’t trade for anything.
“Obviously, we’ve got a team that’s like the United Nations in there. We’ve got guys from all over the world. I think I do have a little bit of cultural sensitivity to some of the different guys in there. I think that does help in building relationships.”
Byrd said the vibe of Orlando didn’t change much while he was in Kentucky — Central Florida is still a place he loves.
“When I come down to Orlando, I’m very happy. I like the energy here, I love the sunshine. I love the state. I love the water, the beach,” he said. “I’m into fishing and diving. I have friends down here that are very connected to the land. I’ve got some friends that do some farming down here. I love this area.”
He’s also noticed how Orlando City Soccer Club has grown.
“When I was here, [Orlando City] was just transitioning from USL to MLS,” he said. “The fan base at that time was very strong. It’s definitely grown much stronger. It was an organized club back then. People did things right.
“They were just beginning to market. I think the marketing has been phenomenal. Obviously just the whole production, the brand has grown. The way that this club does things is next level. It’s gotten to a stage where it’s one of the top clubs, if not the top club, in the nation.”