Coco Carrasquilla - 2023 report card
(image via Aldo Canale)
With the Dynamo season now over we’ll be reviewing the season by taking a look at how each player performed in 2023. Next up is a player who played a number of different roles this season, Coco Carrasquilla.
2023 Grade: C
2023 Stats (MLS):
Matches played: 25 (11th on Dynamo)
Minutes played: 2,030 (6th on Dynamo)
Goals: 3 (5th on Dynamo)
Assists: 5 (2nd on Dynamo)
Goal contributions per 90 minutes: +0.35 (8th on Dynamo)
Coco as an attacking midfielder
Coco as a central midfielder
2023 in review
Carrasquilla’s expectations were set very high in the beginning of the season. Both Pat Onstad and Ben Olsen mentioned multiple times how the team was being built around Hector Herrera and Carrasquilla as the key pieces. However, the arrival of Artur misplaced Coco out of the center part of the midfield. Ben Olsen was forced to change the natural position of the Panamanian into a more attacking role.
Carrasquilla saw action early in the season as the creative mid, right above Hector and Artur, but Coco struggled in that role as he seemed to lack the qualities that are needed as a number 10. Throughout the season, Coco seemed out of place and frustrated, at times, playing in orange. His motor was always on with the Dynamo, but playing higher up the field and even out wide on the right flank, it was evident that Carrasquilla wasn’t confident compared to the player who with Panama won the best player in the Gold Cup this summer.
Looking ahead
Carrasquilla is under contract for the 2024 season and has a club option for the 2025 season. However, there is no secret that Coco is a gem that teams are inquiring about to strengthen their midfield. A recent rumor has Aston Villa in the English Premier League linked to the midfield maestro with the winter transfer window opening soon. Houston and Coco would look for a European move for the right price. Personally, I think that Carrasquilla might have played his last match with the Dynamo.
Best moment of 2023
Carrasquilla had a fantastic year with Panama, while struggling for Houston. Coco’s best match for the Dynamo was against Portland Timbers in the last match of regular season where he had a goal and an assist.
