Three Most Important Players for the Dynamo in 2023

(image via Houston Dynamo FC)

If you look at predictions from MLS writers and analysts around the country, there’s a consensus that the Houston Dynamo are going to finish somewhere near the bottom of the Western Conference. If Ben Olsen’s squad is going to prove a lot of people wrong, there are some important players on the roster who will be called on to help accomplish that. Today, we look at the three most important.

Artur

At the end of a very disappointing 2022 season, general manager Pat Onstad made it clear that he planned to build the team around Héctor Herrera and Coco Carrasquilla. Onstad found flexibility during the off-season to do a major overhaul in the roster. 13 players left the club permanently, while Matias Vera was loaned out for the entire season to Argentinos Juniors. 

The first new player to be picked up was Artur, who was brought to Houston in exchange for $300,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) with the Columbus Crew. The Brazilian is a strong and powerful defensive midfielder who will be tasked with providing cover for Herrera and Carrasquilla. The last time that the Dynamo made the playoffs was back in 2017, when Juan David Cabezas had the role that Artur will fill this season. Cabezas was the team’s most valuable player, and Artur needs to become close to that if the team wants to end up high enough in the standings for a playoff appearance. Artur has the qualities to destroy the opposition’s transition and link the ball to Héctor and Coco to build up the attack, which will make him a vital piece for the team in 2023.

Sebastián Ferreira 

Looking at the stats of the past season, it is easy to figure it out that the Dynamo lacked dangerous chances in the final third. However, even with the small amount of help on offense that Sebastian Ferreira received, he still managed to score 13 goals in his first season in Major League Soccer. Ferreira’s ability to attack the ball and score is impressive. Multiple times he made something out of nothing. 

Now, stepping into the 2023 season, Sebas will be vital to the team. He will have to build from last year and aim to at least match, if not better the double-digit goals on his stat sheet at the end of the year. Amine Bassi and Ivan Franco were brought in to create more opportunities near the opponent’s box for Ferreira. Add Corey Baird’s dangerous runs on the wing and Coco Carrasquilla’s offensive push down the center and Sebas should be on the receiving end of a healthy number of chances in front of goal. Ferreira will need to post close to 15 goals this year if the team goal of making the playoffs is to be met.

Héctor Herrera 

The Mexican international arrived with enormous hype and heavy expectations last season. The club was in terrible form, and Héctor was the chosen one to carry the team on his shoulders with the goal of making the playoffs. The goal was, again, not met and with the World Cup looming, Herrera retracted to nurse a nagging injury before the start of the world’s biggest soccer tournament. Long story short, Herrera wasn’t 100 percent fit at the biggest stage and Lionel Messi and Argentina were crowned World Cup champions.

Now Héctor has had a full preseason to get to know his teammates, he even had the opportunity to show them his home country as the team spent time in Mexico City. Herrera is committed to the city of Houston and committed to the project that owner Ted Segal has invested in. While last season was a disappointment and Herrera couldn’t deliver the goal of a playoff appearance, there is no denying who the best player on the Dynamo roster is. Herrera will need to command the midfield, hold possession, distribute the ball, and penetrate the opponent’s side of the field. Again, do not expect HH to put up a stupid number of goals and assists. His main, and more important, role will be to maintain possession, organize the team, and progress the ball forward to create chances for players like Corey Baird, Carrasquilla, and Ferreira.