The season is a tad over half way complete and the summer transfer window is open. With a pair of moves made by the team, another pending and a fourth in the works, it seems like a prudent time to examine the roster and see how the new players have looked over the past four months and change and how the new moves (confirmed and potential) could improve things for the Houston Dynamo down the stretch.
Warning: tears ahead.
Let's get the big news out of the way because it is the hardest to swallow, even if every fan knew it was coming eventually and indeed had to be done. Corey Ashe is no longer a Dynamo. The diminutive player has been with the team since 2007 when he was drafted 26th overall in the Super Draft. Initially thought to be the heir apparent to Brad Davis on the left wing, he instead was pushed into defense to learn the job on the fly.
He quickly picked it up and became the starter after Wade Barrett retired. For eight years Ashe gave his all to the club, appearing over 200 times in all competitions. A two-time All-Star, Ashe used his speed and ability to overlap with Davis to cause havoc along his side of the field. His fiery temper and desire to win pushed the team on after others had given up. He also never backed down to anyone, no matter how much they towered over him.
Once DaMarcus Beasley joined the team last summer, Ashe became surplus. It was only a matter of time before he left the team and that time has come, but it doesn't make it any easier to see him go.
The Dynamo traded Ashe to Orlando City for their 2nd round draft pick for 2017 and some cash (the regular allocation kind, not the Super Duper kind). The draft pick is so-so while the money will certainly help the rebuilding process continue.
It's been announced that the Dynamo have Scottish U-21 midfielder John McGinn in camp to trial as a potential signing. McGinn is available on a free after leaving St Mirren at the end of the past season. While there isn't much known about McGinn, it can be surmised that he is of some quality by being a part of his youth national team and for his club, appearing 87 times over 3 years. Most Major League Soccer fans should be familiar with the quality of Scotland, with several players moving between the leagues over the years. McGinn does "check the boxes" in that he's a talented midfielder (where the Dynamo need help) and has plenty of youth, which is more in line with a long rebuild than a quick fix.
A couple weeks back the Dynamo signed Rasheed Olabiyi from the Nigerian Premier League. There's not much to say except that he impressed on trial and during his apperance against San Jose set up the play for the Dynamo's second goal in a 2 - 0 victory.
So how have the rest of the new additions fared for the club?
Alex was brought in from the Chicago Fire on trade in May and has looked decent in minutes here and there, mainly along the wings. With Oscar Garcia out of form and oft-injured, Alex has slotted in that position and has shown well. He hasn't shown enough to be a constant starter but he's definitely in the mix.
Chandler Hoffman was brought to the team during the off season from Los Angeles and, despite high hope for him, hasn't seized the moments he has been given. What was thought to be a good backup to Giles Barnes and Will Bruin has instead become a constant bench warmer. This move likely lead to another signing in May, Mauro Manotas.
The U-20 Colombian International has used the US Open Cup to find his feet in the United States and is now part of Owen Coyle's regular roster rotation. With the Gold Cup under progress, it's likely the teenager will feature for the Dynamo throughout the month of July and into August. Especially if their star striker doesn't arrive in time (more on him later).
Leonel Miranda joined the team on loan from Argentina and started the season off well before giving way to other players. Recently he's found more playing time and repaid Coyle's faith with an assist against San Jose. He's a clear spark off the bench but not quite starter material yet.
Rob Lovejoy was drafted by the club this past off season and has been the most impactful player, racking up quite a few minutes. He's also notched a pair of assists and a goal but has been out injured since the Dynamo's trip to Frisco earlier this summer. In that game he pulled his hamstring making a great run behind the defense.
Zach Steinberger was the Dynamo's top draft pick and hasn't featured much this season. When he has gotten on the field, he's done an adequate, if unspectacular, job.
Goalkeeper Joe Willis was brought in to challenge and cover for Tyler Deric. When the starter has been out (for Cup matches and illness), Willis has done a great job of minding the pipes.
This brings us to the Dynamo's biggest signing in club history, Erick "Cubo" Torres. The Mexican International is still in Mexico, fully capable of making the move to Houston. While the charges of rape and sexual assault has been dismissed due to lack of evidence (though in controversial fashion), he isn't out of the woods, yet, as the case can be reopened if new evidence is found. Also there are allegations that Torres, or someone from his camp, attempted to bribe police and reporters to make the whole situation go away and that is currently under investigation. He's staying in Mexico until the case has come to a conclusion before joining the Dynamo Hopefully that will be before the window closes. In the meantime he has been training to keep in shape so he can jump right into the lineup.
Right now the Dynamo is a team in flux. With several of their older players injured or not playing well, and the young talent still in need of playing time to development, and their star striker away from the team for the foreseeable future, the club isn't looking destined for the playoffs at the halfway mark. They can make a run into the Open Cup and win it if Coyle wishes to. With a game in Salt Lake City this weekend, plus a quarterfinal the following week in Kansas City, if he puts out a first choice lineup against the former that will show fans that he believes a run to the playoffs is still possible.
With the chance to win a trophy this year a mere three games away, plus the extra cash towards rebuilding and the Champions League spot, it might be better for the Dynamo to go all in on that. The season is nearly lost as is, barring a great run and some luck. The roster is a good one for the future, but not likely for 2015.