Photo Credit: Houston Dynamo Twitter
3 Hopes and One Fear for the Houston Dynamo
By Scott W. Nicholls and Nayib Moran
Three Hopes
1. Boniek Garcia takes over as the Dynamo’s attacking architect
A player of the caliber of Boniek Garcia cannot afford to have a season like last year’s, in which he finished with two goals and one assist.
The Honduran owns a natural ability to leave defenders behind with a quick dribble, and when he picks up his head to look up for the open teammate, he can give a pass that leaves him with options to score.
During the Dynamo’s last pre-season game versus Orlando City in Charleston, Garcia played free behind the striker, this turn, it was Will Bruin. He took over the Dynamo’s offense by leading its attack. Garcia finished the game with 2 assists and was fouled inside the box that led to a penalty. The Dynamo won 3-0.
Against the Charleston Battery and New York City FC, Garcia played as right-midfielder and left-midfielder. He didn’t fail in these positions, but his influence on the team’s game was not so noticeable.
In order for Garcia to have more performances similar to the one he had against Orlando City, other players will have to step up in the midfield, one of those could be Leonel Miranda, who had great sparks in the right-mid position against Orlando.
One of Coyle’s main tasks will be to find Garcia a place on the pitch where he will be able to explode his game, especially this year in which he has been able to rest during the off-season, and the call-ups to the Honduras’ National Team will not be as constant like other years.
Of course, the change and the influence on the game will be up to Garcia, but a goal and two assists in Charleston are good signs for what’s to come.
2. Making BBVA Compass Stadium a fortress
Okay, we all know that one of the main problems last season for the Dynamo was it’s leaky defense. At times last season it looked like they had no idea where they were, or what they were doing. The biggest problem though is that this Dynamo team has a history of not being the leaky defensive side it looked last season. Teams were used to not making special plays against the Dynamo’s “D” because the Dynamo didn’t allow them to.
Luckily this season Houston has moved to rectify this by bringing in Raul Rodriguez from La Liga team Espanyol. With Raul Rodriguez leading the line, Houston has a huge piece of what used to make their defense great again.
He’s accomplished on the ball with great passing ability and vision, but won’t shy away from a crunching tackle. That’s what the Dynamo have been missing, all he needs to do is step up and be a leader.
All winning teams — all championship winning teams for that matter — make their stadium a fortress. The Dynamo only scored two more goals than they conceded at home last season. Home is where you need to pick up your points if you want to build a playoff team. The Dynamo won just 8 games at home last season, with ties in 4 contests and 5 losses. If they can muster 3 or 4 less losses this season, it should push the Dynamo toward a MLS Cup… or the playoffs at least!
Jose Mourinho has lost just one game in over 70 games at home managing Chelsea Football Club in the Barclay’s Premier League. While that may be a tough ask for the Dynamo, it’s something to emulate.
Owen Coyle must instill in his players this season that BBVA Compass Stadium is the Dynamo’s house, and that every time they set foot onto the field he expects 3 points.
3. Improving that record away from BBVA Compass Stadium
Okay it’s not that imaginative, but it’s got to happen. Last year the Dynamo only scored 12 goals on the road which led them to 3 wins, 2 ties and 12, yes 12, losses. They conceded 33 goals, leaving them with a -21 away goal differential.
That is just not acceptable for a team as renowned for defense as the Houston Dynamo. There is a reason that success runs in this club’s blood, and it needs a major, major turnaround. Knowing that Erick “Cubo” Torres being potentially away until June, the Dynamo will have to count on more good showing from Will Bruin and Giles Barnes to right those wrongs.
With the experience that Brad Davis, DaMarcus Beasley, Jermaine Taylor and Raul Rodriguez collectively have, it shouldn’t be difficult for some of it rub off on the less experienced players in the Dynamo side. Players like Will Bruin, Luis Garrido and eventually Erick “Cubo” Torres will need to show that they can draw on their international experience to help the team’s “winning mentality.”
Owen Coyle brings a strong team mentality to the table, maybe that was something that was missing last season from the Dynamo.
When Owen Coyle teams go behind they do not drop their heads, something the Dynamo were definitely guilty away from BBVA Compass Stadium last season. Look for that to be a factor in overcoming the Dynamo’s away-day woes this coming season.
The Fear
The Dynamo not making the playoffs
The Dynamo’s return to the Western Conference might seem like a difficult challenge. All competition in the Conference will be tough, but the Dynamo will have a starting-eleven with experience and youth.
With “Cubo” Torres as its striker, and a group of players that can give good passes to the star striker to score, not making the playoffs is the fear.
It’s likely the first months will be complicated, considering that Owen Coyle is new to the league, and several players will have their first shot to impress in the league like goalkeepers – Tyler Deric or Joe Willis.
Key players in the team will have to avoid injuries such as Boniek, Davis, Garrido, Rodriguez, and Barnes. These players will need to be on the pitch for the Dynamo to have a good chance of getting a result.
And last, the chances of the Dynamo making the playoffs will decrease if it takes Cubo a lot of time to make his presence felt. It will not be easy for him to come from Chivas, where playing time has been slim, and then in Houston score brace after brace. The expectations on Cubo Torres will be very high, rightfully so.
