Houston Dynamo 2024 position breakdown: Defenders

(image via IMAGN)

The last positional group we’re breaking down for the Houston Dynamo as the 2024 season begins is the defenders. While Steve Clark claims the clean sheets in his stats, the defenders put in great work that helped the team to a very successful year in 2023.

Franco Escobar

Escobar had a very good 2023 season with the Dynamo, signing with Houston after his contract with LAFC had expired. Franco is a natural right back whose role was switched to the left side of the field after Griffin Dorsey took over the position. Escobar struggled in his first games in the new role but eventually made it his own. He will be vital for the Dynamo in 2024 as his defensive skills can shut down the best wingers in MLS and he can cause havoc in the attacking third when he decides to push forward. Escobar scored a couple of goals last season getting into the offensive end. However, it seems that Tata Martino and Lionel Messi are looking to add him into the Inter Miami starting lineup. We will see how this unfolds.

Ethan Bartlow

Towards the end of last year, in October actually, Ethan was given a contract extension by the club that would go through the 2025 season with a club option for 2026. Bartlow was behind veteran center back Erik Sviatchenko in the depth chart which limited his minutes in 2023. Ethan played well during the playing time that he did see. Bartlow has shown himself to be a dependable player since his arrival to the club in 2021 and is still a young player that has upside inMLS.

Daniel Steres

Daniel started the season last year playing a lot of minutes under Ben Olsen. The veteran defender was moved to unfamiliar territory as he was given the starting role at right back and left back. Steres had never played as a full back before, and he did not disappoint. The 33-year-old has the versatility to be plugged in as needed if an injury or suspension happens in 2024, which as this point is when not if.

Tate Schmitt

Tate burst into the scene last year when he impressed the technical staff during preseason and was named the starting left back. Unfortunately for him, a knee injury ended his season early. Schmitt is back on the field, healthy, trying to regain his fitness. He has once again taken the left back role and might be back in the lineup if Escobar is injured or makes a move elsewhere. Ben Olsen will now need to figure out the best way to play with both Tate and Dorsey in the starting lineup, because as of now the team has struggled.

Kieran Sargeant

Kieran signed a homegrown contract with the club this winter. Sargeant spent two seasons with the Georgetown Hoyas in college soccer. The League City native will try his best to break into the first team and earn minutes in what will be a busy 2024 for the club. Kieran might also spend time with Kenny Bundy and Dynamo 2.

Griffin Dorsey

Dorsey killed it in 2023. He slowly progressed during the year but by Leagues Cup no one could stop him. Dorsey is an offensive minded defender who always looks to get a chance at goal but can quickly regain his defensive position and end the opposition’s attack. It will be difficult to replicate the success that he had last season, but if anyone has the work ethic and strong mental capability to make it happen it’s Griffin.

Erik Sviatchenko

Sviatchenko was brought in to the club to replace Tim Parker’s role after the American was traded to expansion team St. Louis CITY SC. Erik’s experience was something that Houston needed on the defensive side of the field. While his health and fitness were in question, as with any veteran players, the Danish center back quickly became a pivotal piece along the spine of the team. Erik took Micael and the rest of the young defenders under his wing. Sviatchenko will need to be on the field often in 2024, since Hector Herrera’s leadership will be missed for an undetermined amount of time.

Micael

The young Brazilian defender has looked like a grown man playing since his debut in Major League Soccer. He had a couple of errors during Leagues Cup last year but overall was a solid rock in defense for the Dynamo. Expect the 24-year-old to maintain the left center back position as he continues to soak in knowledge and experience from Erik Svaitchenko. Micael has blossomed into a legitimate player for the Dynamo.