The importance of Coco Carrasquilla and how Houston might line up without him
(image via Houston Dynamo FC/Twitter)
General manager Pat Onstad has made it a point to let everyone know the importance of the team’s midfield. The 3 men in charge of the center of the pitch are Hector Herrera, Artur, and Adalberto “Coco” Carrasquilla. Captain Herrera has the important role to be the team’s pivot, the connector. Hector is up and down the field commanding the entire squad, no matter whether it is defensively or on the attack. The Brazilian Artur’s role is to be the shield for Hector and Coco. He has been outstanding protecting the middle of the field and nothing really goes past him, making the opposition look for attacking opportunities out wide. Carrasquilla has been given the role as the creative midfielder with the freedom to focus solely on creating scoring chances.
The Panamanian international has all the qualities to be a creative midfielder. Coco is quick with his feet, possesses a soft touch with the ball, and has a long range of passing. However, one thing that he still needs to work on is vision and creating shooting opportunities for himself. I’ll elaborate. Carrasquilla lacks the vision at times to see the easy pass, sometimes a check down to an open teammate allows the play to continue, instead of forcing the ball through a defender and losing possession while in the final third of the field. Producing shooting opportunities is another thing that Coco needs to improve. At times he seems to take an extra step or two, allowing defenders to narrow down the space and kill an attempt at goal. All of that to say, while there are some areas of improvement, Carrasquilla has been a pivotal piece for the Dynamo, especially in the attack.
Adalberto was recently called up to the Panamanian national team that will take on current World Cup winner Argentina tonight and Tuesday’s Nations League match against Costa Rica. So, how will coach Ben Olsen’s team look against NYCFC without their key midfielder on Saturday?
One theory would be that Olsen carries out the same formation with Amine Bassi taking over the Panamanian’s role as the attack-minded midfielder. That would open the door for Nelson Quinones, Ivan Franco, or even, Beto Avila out on the wing.
Another option with Bassi dropping into midfield would be to move Corey Baird back to the wing and bring Sebas Ferreira back in as the number 9. This would allow for a front three of Baird, Sebas, and one of the left wing options mentioned above.
If Olsen were to leave Bassi out wide, he could give Brooklyn Raines, Luis Caicedo or Charles Auguste the opportunity to start in central midfield and ask them to sit back deeper then what we have seen from Carrasquilla. This would likely allow Herrera to have more of the playmaking role with two more defensive midfielders.
And lastly, could we see a radical change in formation by the gaffer? Daniel Steres has held his own at right back, therefore could we maybe see three center backs in Steres, Teenage Hadebe and Ethan Bartlow with two wingbacks and two strikers? Tate Schmitt and Griffin Dorsey could play the roles as wingbacks. This one is a long shot.
Whatever the Dynamo do with the lineup, New York City FC will be a tough test for the guys in orange. Carrasquilla is a big loss but, unlike in previous seasons, the team has options to cover for these absences. With more international windows to come, this likely won’t be the only time Houston is without Coco. Or, if Europe comes calling this summer…?
