Houston Dynamo 2024 player report cards: Coco Carrasquilla
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
We’re continuing our 2024 report card series, recapping each Dynamo and Dash player’s season. Next up is midfielder Coco Carrasquilla.
2024 Grade: B+
2024 by the numbers (MLS play)
Appearances: 28
Minutes played: 2294
Goals: 3
Assists: 5
G+ per 96: -0.02
2024 in review
(via FBref.com and FBcharts.com)
Coco Carrasquilla was once again one of the key players for the Houston Dynamo, putting together a solid 2024 season. The Panamanian played in his inverted right midfield role for most of the season and filled in as a central midfielder in the absence of Hector Herrera.
While Carrasquilla played well in his wide midfield role, he really excelled playing in a deeper, more central role. With Herrera now no longer with the club, it is expected that Coco will take over that position in 2025.
Carrasquilla finished the year with three goals and five assists. You can see from the graph above, just how good he was compared to other central midfielders in MLS and other leagues around the world. His ball progression, either from passing or carrying on his own, is at an elite level and helps the Dynamo control the ball for long stretches like they love to do.
His moment of lunacy in the playoffs kept him from getting an A grade from me. Coco has lost his cool on occasion and having it happen in a playoff game and being suspended for what ended up being the team’s elimination match is brutal. He will hope that 2025’s clean slate can get him back on track.
Moment of the season
The bicycle kick that gave the Dynamo their first ever win in Austin is definitely Carrasquilla’s moment of the season. As Erik Sviatchenko’s header came back across the box, Coco contorted his body and pulled of an incredible finish to score the game’s only goal and give Houston a win over their in-state rival.
Looking forward
The rumors of Carrasquilla moving to Europe seem to have died down. Coco is under contract through 2025, with two more option years, after he signed a new deal in February. There is still a chance he could move to Europe this winter but that timetable seems to be running out. I expect Coco to be back and playing in the center of midfield for the Dynamo in 2025, and finding the form that saw him recently named Concacaf Player of the Year.
