Scouting Report: David Horst

As we all learned yesterday, the Houston Dynamo addressed one of their needs by trading for the rights of former Portland Timbers defender David Horst. We here at Dynamo Theory wanted a bit more information on Horst, and Will Conwell at Stumptown Footy was kind enough to oblige my request:

2013 was a rough year for David Horst. After missing out on the first two games of the year thanks to a preseason groin strain, Horst made one and a half appearances for the Timbers before a tibial plateau fracture effectively ended his season. It briefly looked as though he would make it back to full health for the end of the year, but after one appearance with the reserves, Horst was back on the injury report thanks to a sprained knee.

Horst's history of injuries, including knee, hip, and ankle knocks, have kept him off the field for extended periods throughout his MLS career, first with Real Salt Lake and then with the Timbers. However, after each injury Horst has worked hard (a staple of his game) and made his way back into the team.

On the field, Horst has shined when given the chance. His best stretch was while partnered with Hanyer Mosquera at the end of the 2012, after the departure of John Spencer, when Horst was named to the MLS Team of the Week four times in the last seven weeks of the season. Horst has largely been recognized for his imposing physical play, dominating players in the air and putting in strong tackles to win the ball. If there is a knock on him it comes on the mental side of things, as he occasionally over-commits to a play or finds himself out of position.

Off the field, it is hard to imagine a better person to have on your team. Horst is a player who loves interacting with the fans, and who fans love in return. The Timbers' Community Player of the Year in 2012, Horst is often involved in the community. Beyond his charitable work, he has also tried his hand at commentating, stepping in during several locally broadcast Timbers games while recovering from his broken leg this year with decent, and rapidly improving, results.

Horst will be missed by many in the Rose City, but we wish him the best with the Dynamo (except when playing against the Timbers).

My thanks go to Will for the time he took to write this for us, and by some of the reactions in the post he links us to, it seems that if the Dynamo sign Horst, they'll be getting a good defender. Let's hope we get him.