Three things we learned: Houston Dynamo at Seattle Sounders
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
The Houston Dynamo battled through more injuries and posted a clean sheet in Seattle to earn a point in a 0-0 draw against the Sounders. After each game this season, we’re going to bring you three things we learned from the match. Here is our next edition after watching the Dynamo stay unbeaten on the road.
Ok…now they really need to sign a goalkeeper and center back
In this article last week, I talked about possibly needing to add another goalkeeper and center back. Fast forward to this week and both Jimmy Maurer and Ethan Bartlow had to leave the match with injuries. Ben Olsen said after the match that he expects both to miss some time. At center back, the return to fitness of Erik Sviatchenko should relieve some angst. Sviatchenko and Awodesu can start at center backs with Franco Escobar as an option to slide over if needed, with Daniel Steres playing left back. Even then, another center back should be a priority. An even bigger priority is goalkeeper. With Andrew Tarbell out for the season and now Maurer down injured, rookie Blake Gillingham is the only keeper on the first team roster. Outside of Pat Onstad lacing up the gloves, there is no one else. Dynamo 2 goalkeeper Pedro Cruz would need to be signed to the first team and use an international slot if he were to play. Expect the signing of a new keeper this week.
Escobar can play anywhere
When Bartlow went down early in the first half he was replaced by Steres but not in a like-for-like change. Steres went to left back and pushed Escobar into the middle. Franco has played center back before in his career and he showed that in Seattle. The Argentine didn’t put a foot wrong and displayed his defensive prowess. Olsen said after the game that Escobar always reminds him he is a center back. He may get more chances to prove that in the coming weeks.
The DP 10 can’t come soon enough
Reports are circulating, including by insider Tom Bogert, that the Dynamo are on the verge of signing Ondrej Lingr to a Designated Player contract. Lingr has 24 caps with the Czechia national team and has appeared in each of their last 16 matches. Whenever the deal becomes official, Lingr will be expected to jump right into the lineup and boost an offense that has scored just three goals in five matches. Between goalkeeper, center back, and a number 10, the Dynamo should be boosting their roster with quite a few moves before the end of this month.
