What should the Dynamo do without Nelson Quinones?
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
To follow up the unfortunate injury news last month of Hector Herrera’s injury, we sadly have news that Nelson Quinones is going to miss the entire season with a knee injury. Nelson was given an opportunity to represent Colombia at the U23 level for the Pre-Olympic tournament. While trying to make the most of this opportunity, he landed awkwardly on his left knee putting him out for months. After developing into a starter for the Dynamo last season with plenty of room to grow, this came at the worst possible time for both Nelson and the Dynamo. While Nelson recovers and rehabs for the next year, what exactly do the Dynamo do in his absence? Here are some potential options they may look at.
Aliyu Ibrahim
It is no secret that Aliyu was deployed on the wing most of his career in Croatia. When he came to the Dynamo, Ben Olsen immediately moved him to the striker position where he fit in well with Ben’s style. He was given a few opportunities out on the wing last season where he looked comfortable but did not look as good as he did in the striker position. With Sebastian Ferreira entering the conversation again, this might be way to get both Aliyu and Ferreira on the field together. We have already seen it in preseason, where Aliyu started out on the left flank. He even scored a goal in the preseason trip to Mexico. While we do not know if was playing on the wing at that moment, it is still positive signs for him coming into the year. It is important to note that Gabe Segal has been reported to be a trade target to potentially fill in Aliyu’s backup striker spot on the depth chart. This is probably the most likely solution in the short term, and it is expected we see Aliyu out wide on opening day.
Tate Schmitt, Brad Smith, and Kieran Sargeant
Something we saw loads of last season was Olsen subbing off Quinones to bring on Brad Smith to close out games. This provided extra width and opened more space for Amine Bassi to operate. Smith was one of the only players on the team last year who would regularly send in crosses. Now with Tate Schmitt back in the fold, there is another option to play that role. Like Brad, Tate is an old school winger turned into a fullback to fit the modern game. Sargeant might be young but he is also capable of playing this role and will definitely be breathing down Brad and Tate’s neck if Olsen decides to go this route. With any of these three in the lineup, it does present an opportunity for more width but that clearly was not Olsen’s game plan last year. I would bet on this scenario being a late-game sub option once again.
New Signings?
We all know at this point that the Dynamo do not have a ton of room to make many signings. They do, however, still have the ability to sign one more U22 Initiative player and one Young Designated Player or Designated Player below the max TAM threshold. Nelson Quinones is still a U22 Initiative player and does not open that that third DP spot to be used however they would like, even with Nelson going on the Season Ending Injury List. So, what should the Dynamo do there? It would not make sense to use a YDP spot on a player in Nelson’s position as he will be back next year, and those spots are generally reserved for players with a long term future. Your U22 Initiative players are usually more of a dice roll than your DP players, so expect that to be the route they take if they bring in a new winger. We all know that the fan base would love to see Alberth Elis brought back to the team and that is possible if he will sign for under the max TAM threshold. There may also be a potential summer move if Aliyu does not work out.
We absolutely hate that we have had to write up another one of these but that is just part of sports. We are wishing Nelson the best of luck with his recovery and we are all excited to see him step back on the field in 2025.
