Carrasquilla’s Gold Cup performance catching the eye of Europe
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
While the Houston Dynamo find themselves in a funk, one Dynamo player is seeing their stock rise in the month of July. The only member of the squad competing in the 2023 Gold Cup, Adalberto “Coco” Carrasquilla, has been playing out of his mind, helping Panama make the Final against Mexico on Sunday night.
Carrasquilla has been one of the best players in the CONCACAF tournament, and with that. a lot of rumors of European teams looking for his services have surfaced. Coco has played in all 5 of Panama;s games thus far in the Gold Cup, with a total of 414 minutes and 2 assists. He also scored the winning penalty kick against the USA to take Los Canaleros back to a final in the Gold Cup for the first time since 2013. Panama will have a tough feat in the final against Mexico, but an upset is not out of the question. No matter the outcome in the final, the phone must be ringing at the HDFC offices with inquiries regarding the Panamanian midfield maestro.
The role that Adalberto is being asked to play for Panama is similar to what Hector Herrera does for the Houston Dynamo. Coco is given the freedom to roam the midfield, drop back, and initiate the Panamanian attack from a deeper area on the field. Unlike what we see from Carrasquilla with the Dynamo of carrying the ball forward in transition, with Panama, Coco can focus on breaking down the opposition. This was very evident during the semifinal match against the United States, in which Coco accurately hit 2 long balls that ended in goals, just to be called back for offside. However, in extra time, Carrasquilla once again used his vision and passing range to find an open teammate who scored on a one-on-one against American goalkeeper Matt Turner.
Both the English and Spanish media can’t stop talking about Coco Carrasquilla and whether he will move to a new team during the summer window due to his performance in the Gold Cup. There will be a lot of rumors and speculations surrounding Carrasquilla’s future once the tournament ends on Sunday night, that is for sure. But is selling Coco a smart move for Houston?
Carrasquilla arrived in Houston in August 2021, after the 2021 Gold Cup, on a year-long loan from FC Cartagena, a team in the second division of Spain. It took Carrasquilla some time to find his form with the Dynamo as he was hit with injuries early after his debut with the club. Once fit, Adalberto became one of the best players for the Dynamo and was permanently signed by the club at a reported fee of €1.82 million Euros. Since Hector Herrera joined the club, Coco has found it difficult at times because again, they are players that excel in a similar role. Carrasquilla is asked to be more of a creative player in Ben Olsen’s scheme. Coco has still performed at an outstanding level either way, but it is evident that moving further up the pitch doesn’t come naturally to the Panamanian. Therefore, if a team comes knocking for Carrasquilla and the money is right, would you sell the talented 24 year old Panamanian international?
