Houston Dynamo 2024 player report cards: Andrew Tarbell

(image via Houston Dynamo FC)

We’re continuing our 2024 report card series, recapping each Dynamo and Dash player’s season. Next up is Andrew Tarbell. Tarbell came into this season as the backup to Steve Clark once again.

2024 Grade: C+

2024 by the numbers (MLS play)

Appearances: 4
Minutes played: 288
Clean Sheets: 0
Saves: 13
Goals Against: 5
G+ per 96: 0.21

2024 in review

Andrew Tarbell is a typical backup goalkeeper in MLS where a team goes and grabs an older player who failed as a starter for the most part and is still looking for a role in MLS. Andrew happens to be one of the best in the league in that regard.

Andrew was barely called upon this season and impressed for the most part whenever he was. He is one of those goalkeepers who will never really lose you a game when he’s asked to play. That is the mark of a good backup in MLS, where there is salary cap restrictions.

He played a stretch of games in late May and early June where Steve Clark was out injured. He played decently well in all three games. He also started the Open Cup match where he was not at his best, along with playing in Leagues Cup where he impressed against RSL. He had a good backup season, but nothing particularly special.

Moment of the season

Tarbell’s best save came early in the match against the LA Galaxy where he saved a header from Martin Caceres off a corner kick. This was a great save and kept the Dynamo from going down 1-0 in the opening minutes of the match.

Looking forward

Tarbell’s option was exercised at the roster deadline, meaning he will return to the Dynamo in 2025. He could end up as the backup again, or push for the starting job with Steve Clark no longer with the club. If the Dynamo go out and sign a goalkeeper, Tarbell will once again provide a good option as a number two.