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What does the Dynamo depth chart look like right now?

Picking a depth chart for the Dynamo.

By Harrison Hamm
MLS: Portland Timbers at Houston Dynamo Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

As we enter the month of February, the final month of the MLS offseason, it’s a good time to examine where the Dynamo are at every position and where issues can be found. There’s only so much more time to make changes.

Here is what Houston’s depth chart could look like if the season started today:

Goalkeeper

  1. Tyler Deric
  2. Joe Willis
  3. Calle Brown
  4. Jake McGuire

It’s safe to say that the Dynamo have the best backup goalkeeper in MLS, as Willis proved he is starting-caliber last season with Deric out injured. Brown will get time in Rio Grande along with the draft pick McGuire; we’ll see who wins the third-string job between these two. Devin Perales is an option in the USL.

Departures: Callum Irving

Left back

  1. DaMarcus Beasley*
  2. Dylan Remick
  3. Jalil Anibaba

Beasley, of course, has yet to officially sign, but I think he eventually will. Remick is the backup, and Anibaba is a versatile defender who can play anywhere across the backline.

If worst comes to worse, they can always test AJ DeLaGarza or a center back like Agus or Leonardo at the position, or bring Taylor Hunter up from RGVFC.

Departures: Abdoulie Mansally, Sheanon Williams

Center back

  1. Adolfo Machado
  2. Leonardo
  3. AJ DeLaGarza
  4. Agus
  5. Jalil Anibaba
  6. Kevin Garcia

Machado and Leonardo, by most accounts, are the day one starting central defenders, barring any unforeseen changes. DeLaGarza (the starting right back) could easily be shifted over, and Agus can also step in if necessary. Forced to play there last season, Anibaba has played the position for Sporting KC in the past.

Kevin Garcia is technically on the Dynamo roster right now, and Ivan Magalhaes is with the Toros.

Departures: Raul Rodriguez (getting paid in China), David Horst, Keyner Brown, Sebastien Ibeagha

Right back

  1. AJ DeLaGarza
  2. Jalil Anibaba
  3. Dylan Remick
  4. Andrew Wenger

DeLaGarza is the starter here, even though I think the better decision would be to start AJD at center back and Anibaba at right back. No one else seems to share my opinion, though, so I’ll stick with this.

Remick or another defender could shift here, or Wenger (who normally plays higher up the field) could become an emergency right back.

Departures: Sheanon Williams, Abdoulie Mansally

Defensive midfielder

  1. Juan David Cabezas
  2. Ricardo Clark
  3. Alex
  4. Eric Alexander

Signed this offseason, Cabezas will replace Collen Warner as the full-time starter. Clark or Alex could be played out of position as a No. 6 if necessary, even though Owen Coyle showed us that neither of these players are effective d-mids right now. Alexander could step in as well.

Departures: Collen Warner

Center midfielder

  1. Alex
  2. Boniek Garcia
  3. Ricardo Clark
  4. Juan David Cabezas
  5. Eric Alexander
  6. Joe Holland*

Alex and Boniek should be the other midfield starters alongside Cabezas. Clark is a back-up who will get plenty of minutes this season. Alexander won’t play almost ever, while the unsigned first round draft pick Holland had better prove himself fast, because he’s already 23.

Also keep an eye on 19-year old Christian Lucatero, who’s on the first team roster right now and should get minutes over Alexander.

Departures: Cristian Maidana, Rob Lovejoy, Zach Steinberger, Collen Warner

Winger

  1. Alberth Elis
  2. Romell Quioto
  3. Boniek Garcia
  4. Andrew Wenger
  5. Jose Escalante
  6. Vicente Sanchez

Elis and Quioto (both of whom can also play striker) will almost certainly be starters on the wing in a 4-3-3 come March. Boniek and Wenger are the immediate and obvious backups, while Escalante hopefully will continue to receive sporadic game opportunities.

37-year old Vicente Sanchez is a valuable mentor for his many fellow Spanish-speaking attackers on the roster. RGVFC star Memo Rodriguez has to be called up at some point this season (or the Dynamo aren’t doing their job).

Departures: Yair Arboleda, Cristian Maidana, Abdoulie Mansally

Forward

  1. Mauro Manotas
  2. Erick Torres
  3. Alberth Elis
  4. Romell Quioto
  5. Vicente Sanchez

For right now, Manotas is the starter up top, although Torres’s reported good performances in training and relationship with Wilmer Cabrera bode well for his starting XI chances. Elis and Quioto could step in as well, while Sanchez is there as a player-coach.

Departures: Will Bruin

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