Houston Dynamo 2024 player report cards: Latif Blessing
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
We’re continuing our 2024 report card series, recapping each Dynamo and Dash player’s season. Next up is Latif Blessing. Blessing came in a few games into the season to add depth in midfield and on the wing. He had somewhat of a return to form after a very disappointing 2023 season.
2024 Grade: B
2024 by the numbers (MLS play)
Appearances: 27
Minutes played: 986
Goals: 5
Assists: 1
G+ per 96: -0.05
2024 in review
(image via FBref.com and FBcharts.com)
Latif has been a key figure in MLS throughout the last eight years. Starting at Sporting Kansas City as a massive prospect to being a key player on LAFC. 2023 did not go his way after being traded to New England and then traded again to Toronto FC. Latif failed to appear in either of Toronto’s first two games and was then traded to Houston to get his career back on track.
Ben Olsen brought him as a player that perfectly fits the game model with his versatility, his work ethic, and ability to play both sides of the ball. Under Ben, he became a valuable piece of the squad, making 12 starts and showing up when called upon. He was especially good in the middle part of the season where he went on a run of five goals in five games in May and June.
Later in the season, he lost a lot of his minutes to the emergence of Sebastian Kowalczyk playing at a starter level on the right wing position. When Coco Carrasquilla had to move to the middle of the field, Kowalczyk saw almost all those starting minutes, making Blessing merely a bench piece. Coming of the bench is where Blessing struggled the most as he always had a hard time involving himself in the play.
Moment of the season
Blessing’s goal against Colorado in May was arguably one of the goals of the season for the Dynamo. He took a strike cleanly on the volley to give the Dynamo the lead at home against an in form Colorado team.
Looking forward
Latif Blessing is out of contract with the Dynamo. The team did mention they will try and negotiate a return with him in their press release about end of year roster decisions. If he is to return, it will likely be on a more team friendly contract where he’ll continue to be a valuable squad option, but nothing more.
