2023 Dynamo Position Groups: Attackers
(image via Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports)
The 2022 version of the Houston Dynamo offense was mostly one of two things. It was Sebastian Ferreira, in his first season in MLS, having to try and take advantage of any service he could get. Or it was Darwin Quintero and his moments of pure genius and moments of pure madness. Quintero is now gone and the focus of the offseason for Pat Onstad and the front office was to not only get Ferreira more service, but to bring in more dynamic attackers. Today we look at the players, all under the age of 28, who will be leading the line for Houston in 2023.
Ifunanyahi Achara
We have yet to see any of Achara in the preseason as he has been stuck overseas dealing with visa issues that seem to be happening not only to other Dynamo players, but numerous players around Major League Soccer. The Nigerian, who was selected by the Dynamo in the Re-Entry Draft, had three goals and two assists in three seasons at Toronto FC. At just 25 years old, there is still some upside for Achara, and he has the ability to play on either wing. Now the big question with Achara is, when and if he will show up in Houston.
Beto Avila
Avila earned a first team contract last season after a sizzling start to the MLS NEXT Pro season with Dynamo 2. He ended up making two starts in eight appearances for the senior team last season. Avila looked dynamic in his time with Dos but seemed out of place transitioning to MLS. At just 22 years old he still has plenty of time for development and we could see him spend more time with Kenny Bundy’s squad in 2023.
Corey Baird
At 27 years old, Baird is in his prime and could be poised for a big, breakout season as Rudy mentioned in his article. Baird had two goals and four assists last season and found a renewed form after Bundy took over as interim head coach. The starting right wing position looks to be Baird’s as the season begins, and he will have the chance to impress and lock it down for the season. Baird had 29 shot-creating actions in just under 15 matches worth of minutes played in 2022. If he can get Sebas and the other attackers two chances a game to score, the Dynamo will be a much-improved team this season.
Amine Bassi
One of the new signings in the attack this season, Bassi joins the Dynamo from Metz in France. The Moroccan spent the early months of 2022 on loan with Barnsley in the English Championship where he flourished, producing two goals and five assists in 15 matches. Bassi has played mostly as an attacking midfielder during his career, but he looks to be deployed on the left wing for the Dynamo. While he may be the starter on the wing, look for Bassi to drift inside to get involved in the attack and link up play with his teammates.
Sebastian Ferreira
The centerpiece of the Dynamo attack is Ferreira. The Paraguayan scored 13 goals in his debut season in MLS and will look to build off that strong start with new pieces around him. As a prototypical number 9, Sebas will be the focal point when the Dynamo have the ball. His ability to work into space and get himself open will be an even bigger positive in 2023 with more attackers who have the ability to pick out a pass and play in a striker on a run. Ferreira is currently a question mark for the season opener due to visa issues but when he does arrive, there is no doubt who will carry the goal-scoring load for Houston this season.
Ivan Franco
One of the players who looks to help Ferreira score more goals is fellow Paraguayan and former Libertad teammate Ivan Franco. Where Franco plays and how often he plays will be the big question. The Paraguayan, who turns 23 in April, will likely begin the season as an option of the bench who can play in any of the front three roles. Franco’s biggest adjustment to MLS will be the physicality. He’s a smaller player and MLS can be a bit of a grinder. We saw during the final preseason tune-up against FC Dallas that he has some work to do but also, he is not afraid to get stuck in.
Nelson Quinones
Quinones won’t even turn 21 until this summer as he enters his first full season in Houston. The Colombian youngster made eight appearances off the bench last season after signing with the Dynamo in the summer. Although he played just 122 minutes in 2022, Quinones showed flashes of technical ability on the ball and blazing pace. As he continues to develop and grow into MLS, Quinones will come off the bench in 2023 with the ability to take players on and hopefully change games for the Dynamo.
Thor Ulfarsson
If Thor can stay healthy in 2023, look out. With Leagues Cup and so many matches on the schedule this season, the Dynamo will need Ulfarsson to spell Ferreira at times, and maybe even play as a winger again. Thor said he’d never played wing before he got to the Dynamo, but you wouldn’t notice it by his play. His FBref stats have him in the 99th percentile for non-penalty xG and 94th percentile for touches in the attacking penalty area for wingers in the Next 8 Competitions. The player most similar to Thor based on his statistical profile, USMNT and Seattle Sounders winger Jordan Morris. Look for a big 2023 from Thor.
