Football Season Guide

MLS

USA

MLS

2023

Houston Dynamo

In

José Artur de Lima Junior (mid), transfer from Columbus Crew. Ifunanyachi Achara (att), transfer from Toronto FC. Andrew Tarbell (gk), transfer from Austin FC. Brad Smith (def), transfer from DC United. Ivan Franco (mid), loan from Libertad Asuncion. Franco Escobar (def), transfer from Los Angeles FC. Amine Bassi (mid), transfer from Metz. Djevencio van der Kust (def), loan from FC Utrecht, Tate Schmitt (def), transfer from Real Salt Lake.

Out

Fafà Picault (mid) (r), transfer to Nashville SC. Tim Parker (def) (r), transfer to St. Louis City. Zarek Valentin (def) (sp), transfer to Minnesota United. Jose 'Memo' Rodriguez (mid) (sp), transfer to LA Galaxy. Matias Vera (mid) (r), loan to Argentinos Juniors. Adam Lundkvist (def) (r), transfer to Austin FC. Joe Corona (mid), transfer to San Diego Loyal. Carlos Darwin Quintero (mid) (r), transfer to CD America. Zeca (def) (r), transfer to Vitoria. Darwin Ceren (mid) (sp), transfer to CD Aguila, Thiago Fernando Rodrigues (att) (sp), loan expired. Sam Junqua (def) (sp), mutual termination. Marcelo Palomino (mid) (sp), transfer to AFC Eskilstuna.

A disappointing campaign has led to wholesale changes ahead of the new season. Integrating newbies will be a challenge for this new-look Houston Dynamo team. Some early concerns are that they've not really added much quality, despite making a lot of changes. Ben Olsen is their new manager. Defence will be the big problem to begin with. Although they succeeded in keeping hold of Hadebe, half of their regular back four have moved on. Given their penchant for conceding sloppy goals under pressure last season, that's a worry. They've signed a lot of new FBs - that's another battle. Midfield is another concern - they've lost some regulars that were solid enough, and taken chances on replacements. They're still trying to figure out a way to get the best out of Herrera, which is proving problematic. Bassi and van der Kust are the big pre-season acquisitions. Bassi could provide that cutting edge in the final third that prevents Ferreira from being too isolated. Again though, this depends upon the right formation being found by a manager that hasn't been in charge of very many matches. The early stages of the MLS campaign will be key in determining whether Dynamo improve or not this season. It's likely they'll be slow to begin with, trying to get newbies integrated. Ferreira, Hadebe, Herrera, Carrasquilla, Bassi, and Clark are likely to be key to them this season, and close to irreplaceable should any go AWOL.

Target

They'll want a top 7 finish but, unless they adjust quickly and some of their wildcard signings prove out to be genius moves, then anything above 12th would be good.