:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45210286/454745164.0.jpg)
There's been a lot of excitement this off-season and for good reason. The Dynamo have made a few big splashes with a new coach and the signings of Erick "Cubo" Torres, Raúl Rodríguez, Leonel Miranda, and Joe Willis, but one player who may see some quality minutes is forward Chandler Hoffman (yes this is the 2nd article about him).
Hoffman was acquired in the 2nd stage of the Re-Entry draft and may make a difference coming off the bench before Cubo arrives in Houston later this summer. Hoffman, who was picked from the Los Angeles Galaxy, spent most of his time with LAG's USL Pro affiliate the Los Angeles Galaxy II where he placed 3rd in scoring despite playing 10 games fewer than Kevin Molino, the player who placed first overall. He scored at the highest percentage among those in the top 10 scoring 13 goals in 17 games or finishing at a rate of .76%.
What I like the most about Hoffman is his combination of skills that he uses to get the goals that he scores. He's quick, has a fantastic first touch, uses strength to hold back defenders or to gain positioning, has great vision with the ball at his feet and the goal in front, and is a finisher. His goal scoring range seems to be all around the 18 yard box, but he tends to be at his best when his team is on the counter attack so he can exploit defenders caught off guard or flat footed.
Hoffman has proven he can score at the USL Pro level, but needs to translate that to Major League Soccer which isn't the easiest of adjustments. Still, Hoffman's speed, energy, and finishing abilities could serve the Dynamo well coming off the bench or if Will Bruin or Giles Barnes picked up an injury before Cubo's arrival. Hoffman could also see some time spent with our new USL Pro affiliate the Charleston Battery and Owen Coyle and Co can see if his phenomenal goal scoring was just a fluke year or if Hoffman is the real deal. Below you'll find a video of some of his goals that he scored during his time at UCLA. One thing is clear from the videos (besides the fact that the kid can score), he needs to work on his goal scoring celebrations. But I'm sure Giles Barnes can assist in that department.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/JfQYsUwQ7Sc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>