Houston Dynamo midseason report card: Attackers
(image via Billy Mears)
We are nearly halfway through the MLS regular season with the Houston Dynamo having played 16 of their 34 games. This is the only competition the Dynamo are still participating in after being eliminated from both the CONCACAF Champions Cup and Lamar Hunt US Open Cup earlier this year. During the international break, we'll assess each positional group for the Dynamo and assign grades to each player based on their performance for the club up to this point. Today we’re looking at the attackers.
Sebas Ferreira-D
It’s hard to give Sebas anything other than a D being he has barely played any minutes. In the minutes he has played, he would get a B or even an A considering how productive he has been. He should be the biggest riser in this entire roster on our end of season report card if he can get fit.
Contract status: Under contract through 2025 with an option for 2026
Chance of returning in 2025: 51%
Brad Smith-C
Brad Smith has had an odd season where he has been asked to play higher up the field than he is used to playing. He has not looked very good in almost all of his starts as he is not naturally an attacking player. However, he had some really solid defensive performances off the bench when Ben Olsen needed help seeing out a game. He also earned the team three points on the road in Denver.
Contract status: Under contract through 2024 with options for 2025 and 2026
Chance of returning in 2025: 25%
Gabe Segal-D
Gabe Segal was traded to the Dynamo from NYCFC right before the season kicked off to provide some needed forward depth. Unfortunately, he has not been able to provide that with Sebas Ferreira missing so much time. He was given plenty of opportunity when Sebas went down and he only managed to score one goal. Recently, Sebastian Kowalczyk has taken his place at striker with Gabe Segal being relegated to the second team.
Contract status: Under contract through 2024
Chance of returning in 2025: 30%
McKinze Gaines-F
McKinze Gaines was traded to the Dynamo right before the trade deadline and has barely even seen the field. Since the trade he has played a total of 12 minutes and is now currently injured. He is another opportunity for a large rise in the grades come the end of the season.
Contract status: Under contract through 2024
Chance of returning in 2025: 30%
Aliyu Ibrahim-A
Despite the criticism he receives on social media, Aliyu has been the best attacker for the Dynamo this season and it is not even close. Aliyu chipped in with 4 goals and 3 assists from the left wing position. His defensive work and ability to carry the play in transition have been massive to almost all the victories the Dynamo have picked up this season. Could he have scored a few more? Yes, but so could everyone in MLS this season.
Contract status: Under contract through 2025 with options for 2026 and 2027
Chance of returning in 2025: 99%
Sebastian Kowalczyk-B
Sebastian Kowalczyk has had an up and down season so far. He started the year really well filling in for the injured Amine Bassi playing in his natural position. Since Bassi has returned, Kowalczyk has been asked to lead the line at the striker position. He has looked incredibly awkward at times there and has completely disappeared from games. Recently, he has begun to pick it with two goals in his last two games. There is lots for Sebastian to build off of and now has some competition for his place with Sebas Ferreira returning from injury.
Contract status: Under contract through 2024 with options for 2025 and 2026
Chance of returning in 2025: 90%
Stephen Annor Gyamfi-F
Yes, this is very harsh being he is a rookie, but he has yet to even establish himself as a regular starter on the second team. He has looked good in his limited minutes with Dos, but he needs to cement himself in a starting role there by the end of the season.
Contract status: Generation adidas Contract through the 2026 season
Chance of returning in 2025: 99%
