Report: Houston Dynamo close to bringing back veteran defender Maynor Figueroa

According to the Houston Dynamo’s version of Adrian Wojnarowski, Lester Gretsch, the Dynamo and veteran center back Maynor Figueroa have agreed in principle to a new contract.

The Dynamo have been busy this offseason acquiring several key pieces including the versatile attacker Darwin Quintero, left back Zarek Valentin, and center back Víctor Cabrera.

While the Dynamo were busy bringing in new players, they also saw some mainstays on the way out of the club notably, A.J. DeLaGarza, Joe Willis, Romell Quioto, and DaMarcus Beasley who retired at the end of last season. Clearly Matt Jordan and the front office are addressing needs and shoring up the backline has been a work in progress for some time now.

It may seem like bringing in a player who will turn 37 early into the new season isn’t the brightest idea especially with the CB signing of Cabrera and with Alejandro Fuenmayor on the roster (Kiki Struna should be the other starting CB), but Figueroa was among the best players of the 2019 season. He made it incredibly difficult for Fuenmayor to pick up minutes and Figueroa quickly forged a partnership with Struna in central defense.

Figueroa brings toughness, technique as a quality dribbler out of the back, and can transition from defense to offense quickly with accurate long passes. He also provides experience and leadership which should help new Head Coach Tab Ramos.

I’m not expecting elite defender player of the year type of play, but if the soon-to-be 37 year old can play like his 36 year old self then I will be happy with the move to bring him back.