The Houston Dynamo Waive Defender Oumar Ballo

The Houston Dynamo announced this afternoon that they have waived central defender Oumar Ballo. The defender had a strong showing in preseason, but was towards the end of central defense depth behind Raúl Rodríguez, Jermaine Taylor, David Horst, and AJ Cochran. Ballo spent the beginning of his professional soccer career on loan with the Dynamo affiliate the Charleston Battery where he struggled to find playing time with the Battery playing well.

Dynamo GM Matt Jordan cited changes to the rules and regulations for causing the organization to release Ballo. These updated terms to roster rules have not yet been made public, but so far this looks to be the reason for the release and not anticipation for another signing.

The Houston Dynamo drafted Ballo with their 2^nd round pick, 30^th overall in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft out of the University of Maryland-Baltimore County. Ballo's natural athleticism, aerial prowess, and ability to get forward would have made him a quality CB down the line, but right now he looks to be the odd man out.