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Keep up with the latest Houston Dynamo trades, re-signings, and transfers rumors with our 2013 Offseason Storystream. It will be updated regularly with breaking news and information leading up to the 2013 MLS season.
Over the last few weeks, the Dynamo preseason has been relatively quiet. Granted, that doesn't mean the team hasn't added key pieces to the 2013 roster. First, Eric Brunner was brought in from the Portland Timbers for allocation money. Second, Nathan Sturgis was sent to the Colorado Rapids to bring in speedy Jamaican Omar Cummings.
These two moves addressed serious needs for Houston. Currently, the Dynamo have three players from their 2012 squad that are out of contract - Cam Weaver, Macoumba Kandji, and Andre Hainault.
Weaver is expected to return and I wouldn't be surprised if an agreement with the back up striker is announced soon. The other two players have both expressed serious interest in looking at other options and don't appear close to re-signing as of now.
The trade for Brunner almost immediately addresses the hole Hainault may leave behind, but the Dynamo are still lacking in attacking options. Brian Ching will return, but Calen Carr will likely be out over half the season.
Transfer Rumors Swirl
It's the time of the year where transfer rumors are in full swing, and the Dynamo have been popping up in foreign media recently. Several media outlets have tied Houston to Honduran Alex Lopez.
Houston wouldn't comment to Dynamo Theory on their interest in Lopez, citing club policy because the player is currently under contract with his respective club, Olimpia.
The Dynamo may be keeping quiet, but reports from the Honduran press are surfacing and saying that an offer has been made for Lopez to bring him to Houston.
"It is true I have offers from the Houston Dynamo, " Lopez reportedly told La Tribuna on January 5th.
The report says talks are ongoing, but ultimately suggests a deal could be done soon. These types of reports can be a bit misleading at times, so it's not time to lay out the welcome mat to the man they call the Honduran Maradona just yet.
Lopez goes on to say he's not desperately looking for a way out of Honduras immediately, but the MLS would be a great place for him to gain some experience to make a run into European football.
Garcia Confirms Kinnear's Interest in Lopez
A day before this latest report, Boniek Garcia acknowledged Dominic Kinnear's interest in Lopez to La Tribuna as well. Apparently, Kinnear enjoyed what he saw of Lopez while playing in the most recent CONCACAF Champions League matches.
"I won't deny that the Houston Dynamo coach has shown interest in Alexander Lopez," Garcia says.
Both Garcia and Lopez are encouraged by the recent success of Honduran players in MLS and it seems only natural Lopez would feel comfortable joining his former teammate in Houston.
What's your take on the offseason moves by Houston so far? How about the contract situations regarding Weaver, Kandji, and Hainualt? And these rumors... what's on your mind?