Taking a look at the Houston Dynamo depth chart
(image via Aldo Canale)
It might be hard to believe but the Major League Soccer season kicks off two weeks from Saturday. The Houston Dynamo open the season February 22 at Shell Energy Stadium against in-state rival FC Dallas.
The addition of Jack McGlynn has filled a big hole in the Houston midfield but the team is reportedly still looking to sign more players. And they need to. Head coach Ben Olsen said last week on Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis that the team was looking at 3-6 signings. Assuming McGlynn is one of them, there could still be at least a couple more additions. Looking at the team’s depth chart (created by us, not official) we see that there are some areas they could use help in.
Goalkeepers
With Andrew Tarbell as the starter and Jimmy Maurer as the backup, the Dynamo look set at goalkeeper. They could bring in a youngster to play at Dynamo 2 and be an emergency option for the first team but that isn’t high on the priority list.
Defenders
The four starters are back with Franco Escobar at left back, Griffin Dorsey at right back and Micael and Erik Sviatchenko at center backs. Bartlow and Steres are very valuable in that they can play in the center or as fullbacks. Dorsey’s right back position is very unique in how involved he is in the attack. Bartlow and Steres can play at right back in the absence of Dorsey but the Dynamo don’t have a “like for like” replacement for Griffin. SuperDraft pick Bo Cummins is tailored for that role but he has yet to sign, and even if he did he would probably spend the majority of his time with Dynamo 2. Femi Awodesu will join the sneior team this season but will likely see limited minutes. Another depth fullback would be nice to have.
Midfielders
Even after signing McGlynn, the Dynamo look thin in the central midfield. Teenagers Sebastian Rodriguez and Brooklyn Raines are the only backups right now for McGlynn and Artur. Erik Duenas can play anywhere in the midfield and he has been playing on the right wing in the Coco Carrasquilla role. Amine Bassi and Sebastian Kowalczyk can also play in that wing role or in the center. The long-rumored DP 10 has not yet arrived but that will be a big piece that ties this team together. Ideally, they will play off the right in that inverted role with Bassi, McGlynn, and Artur in the middle. The DP 10 and another depth midfielder who can play as a 6 and 8 would help fill this group out.
Forwards
The Dynamo essentially play with two attackers with their striker and left wing, and the right wing being more of a midfielder. Ezequiel Ponce is the locked in starter at center forward, especially after the departure of Sebastian Ferreira. Gabe Segal will back up Ponce after spending most of last season bouncing between Dos and the first team. Stephen Annor is also an option, if needed, but Segal has showed well so far this preseason and should have that backup job. Left wing is a position Houston is stacked at. Ibrahim Aliyu will likely start the season again as the starter. Exon Arzu has showed well this preseason when Aliyu was out dealing with green card issues and should push the Nigerian for minutes. Nelson Quinones and Lawrence Ennali are returning from knee injuries and have slowly been integrated into training. President of Soccer Pat Onstad mentioned on Soccer Matters that Quinones could be a month away from contributing. Ennali should be back in the summer. Unless they feel they can upgrade over Segal as a backup 9, this group looks set.
