Houston Dynamo

It’s that time of year when Thanksgiving is behind us and only 20 some odd days separate us from the biggest holiday of all. This year the Houston Dynamo got an early present in the guise of new head coach Tab Ramos and a new forward in Darwin Quintero. What else can Houston fans hope that Santa will bring the Dynamo.

Present #1

Would it be too much to ask for a healthy backline? Kiki Struna, maligned by many (but not this writer) was just named the Dynamo Defender of the Year. He did nothing but solidify a makeshift line in 2019. Houston has three returning backs who missed double digit games including 11 by AJ DeLaGarza and Kevin Garcia (22). Throw in nine more missed matches by Maynor Figueroa and you can see why the Dynamo need a healthy backline in 2020 if things are going to be different.

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Present #2

Can we please put a consistent 1-2 punch up top? Mauro Manotas who has been the one bright spot offensively the last two seasons was paired with late arrival Christian Ramirez on August 7, 2019. Instantly, he showed what a difference maker he could be scoring five times in over seven starts and 10 appearances. Together the two accounted for nine goals in the teams final 10 games. What could they do over the course of a season? It’s not to crazy to extrapolate it out and see 34 goals between them or something close to that. Their scoring prowess opens the door for guys like Alberth Elis, Memo Rodriguez and Tomas Martinez to get non the tally board without even bringing up USOC 2019 POY Darwin Quintero.

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Present #3

Is it too much to ask for a coach who will bring accountability to the face of the franchise. For much of former head coach Wilmer Cabrera’s tenure with the exception being 2017, we heard these words after nearly every loss or draw “Well, you know we are not the best team in MLS.” Although that might be true, we don’t have to share it with the world however if a player makes a crucial mistake in the midst of a match that leads to a loss then say it. Everyone in the stands saw it and knows so don’t be like Houston Texans coach and say “we got outplayed, out executed and out coached, we got to do better” Own it and move on Players and fans will accept and respect candor.