Is there a bigger cult hero in Major League Soccer than Tommy McNamara? 

If there is, this writer has yet to come across him. Indeed, the former Chivas USA and New York City FC midfielder now at the Houston Dynamo has attracted quite the following over his time in American soccer. But make no mistake: McNamara can play.

He held down a place at NYCFC while Andrea Pirlo, Frank Lampard, and David Villa were all at the club and has become a key figure for the Dynamo this season. FloFC spoke to the 28-year-old about playing at Yankee Stadium, his trademark shot, whether or not his long hair will ever return, and more. 

How are you finding your first season with the Houston Dynamo?

It’s been pretty good so far. It’s been different. It’s different from the last four years in New York just from a lifestyle point of view, but also from the view of the style of play and things of that nature. I’ve enjoyed it. We’ve been a little up and down, but I’ve been able to play a lot and be involved in every game and impact games. We’ve done reasonably well up until this point and now we really need to kick on in this second half. 

Where do you think the team is right now in terms of meeting the goals set at the start of the season?

The biggest goal is we want to make the playoffs. That’s what matters in the league for us and so we’re right there. We just passed the midway point of the season. We know that we haven’t done well enough on the road until our last game (against Toronto FC). We have been successful at home. We know that it’s tough for teams to come and play us in Houston, but we need to make sure we continue picking up points away from home. That’s going to be crucial for me.

How does Wilmer Cabrera differ to the other head coaches you have played under during your MLS career?

Every coach is different. I’ve enjoyed playing with Wilmer. He trusts the players, he lets us know what he expects out of us in the game, and he makes sure we’re well prepared, but then he also gives us the freedom to impact the game as we’re playing it. It’s been enjoyable to have a little bit more of that freedom of "you figure out what needs to happen during the game."

You’re versatile as a soccer player, but where do you feel you are best on the field?

I feel I’m at my best in the middle of midfield. An attacking role in the center of midfield. I feel that suits my strengths the best and I can hide my weaknesses the best in there. I can impact the game more in that role. I can do other things and I can fill other roles, but I certainly feel that my qualities are best used in the middle.

The right-footed, curling shot has become your trademark. What’s the key to pulling that off?

I just have a knack for that one. It’s a muscle memory type thing. I work on finishing a lot, from outside the box, from inside the box. If I was going to give some tips to somebody else I would say it’s about opening up the hips and striking through the ball with the inside of your foot, so it kinda comes down a little bit. It kinda just comes naturally to me the way my body is built.

What was it like to play alongside someone like Andrea Pirlo at NYC FC?

It was incredibly enjoyable. He is such a great person, great teammate, and great guy to get to know as part of the team. Watching him, playing alongside him, I thought if that was the case, alongside him Frank [Lampard], David Villa, I was going to be playing for a Champions League club in Europe. 

Obviously that was not the case, but you never know how things are going to work out in soccer. He would hit the ball in behind the defense and nobody would be prepared for it, and he’d be looking and realize the forward hadn’t made the run and had he anticipated that pass he would have been away on a breakaway. The balls he would hit, the passes he would see… it was just another level. 

You played under Patrick Vieira at NYC FC. As a midfielder, how much did you learn from him?

I really enjoyed his thoughts on playing the game. This was his first job with a first team as a coach so I think he was learning a little bit as he went along, but the way he wanted to set up the team, the way he wanted us to play, it was a similar philosophy I would say to Pep Guardiola’s which is pretty recognizable. 

For me it was really enjoyable to work and learn about positional play. That was something that hadn’t really been drilled into me before. It was definitely a different way of playing. It required the players to be more thoughtful when they were out there on the field, to recognize space, to make sure their body position was in the correct way, to take advantage of opportunities. I learned a lot.

What’s it like to be a Cult hero? Do you follow the @CultofMcNamara Twitter account?

It’s funny. I did follow the Twitter account and have a general idea of what is going on. It’s just funny, I don’t know . . . it’s American soccer. I’m just someone who wants to play soccer and it was a dream of mine to play professionally and I’m lucky enough to be living that and these things that come along with it. It’s quirky, it’s fun, and maybe a little bit unique to American soccer culture. 

Do you ever miss the longer hair? Might it come back one day?

It’s on its way back right now, actually, so it’s funny you ask. You’re going to have to give me some time. It’s going to take some time to fully grow it out again. It takes a while to grow hair that long. But it’s on its way. I wish I could just snap my fingers and it would be back.

There’s a picture on your Instagram of you wearing an Ireland shirt at an Ireland game. Would you consider playing for them?

My heritage is a massive part of my life. I grew up as an Irish-American in an Irish-American household. My grandparents came over from Ireland, I have a lot of family, a lot of relatives — aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. — who still live in Ireland, so it’s a huge part of me and my family’s culture. I’ve always been a fan of the Irish national team as well as the American national team and if the opportunity ever presented itself I would definitely be open to representing the FAI. So we’ll see. 

You played a lot at Yankee Stadium. The pitch there has been criticized a lot. Did you have any complaints as a player there?

I actually enjoyed it. The smaller-sized pitch actually suited my strengths, I felt. You have less time on the ball, people close you down quicker, so you need to be quicker of thought, you needed to know what you’re going to do with the ball, you needed to be technically able. 

Because of the smaller field there was less space for people to get out and run, so I enjoyed it. The fans were incredible when I was there. I understand it’s certainly not the most ideal place for a soccer game, but when I was there I enjoyed it. Opposition teams, of course, they had trouble with it because they were used to playing on a larger field and it was difficult to adjust to.

If you could choose to play with a soccer player past in present, who would you choose?

It would be Stephen McPhail. He is the cousin of my best friend growing up, he played in the Premier League for a long time with Leeds United. He represented the Irish national team and so I got the chance to meet him when I was younger and watch a Leeds game. So for me he was, like, a hero and somebody I looked up to. I knew who he was and had the chance to meet him and a friend’s relative, so he’s that person.

You were born on February 6 which means you share a birthday with Ronald Reagan, Bob Marley, Babe Ruth, and Axl Rose. Which of those would you like to meet?

I’d pick Bob Marley. I enjoy his music, he seemed like he was a cool dude. He liked soccer, so that’s something we have in common. 

What are you listening to right now? What’s on your Spotify playlist?

The Lumineers. If I’m chilling or just hanging out during the day, it would be The Lumineers.

Graham Ruthven is a soccer writer based in the U.K. He has written for the New York Times, Guardian, Eurosport, Bleacher Report, and others.