MLS

Houston Dynamo

The Houston Dynamo participated in the MLS 2020 Superdraft and although the organization attempted to put a good spin on the results, it failed to address the needs of the organization. One can argue that you can never have enough goal scorers and midfielders to push the tempo, but the real need was ignored.

The Dynamo have never outwardly expressed confidence in Michael Nelson being the starter between the pipes. In fact, just the opposite has happened. Dynamo head coach Tab Ramos’ comments on Thursday afternoon were not really a vote of confidence for Nelson.

“I feel like sometimes at a club you just start to bring younger guys along and at some point it has to be their time, otherwise you really don’t need them. I feel this is a year where Michael will compete and if the opportunity comes along he will need to step in and play games. We are very confident he could do a good job.”

Nearly a month to the day, December 14, 2019 to be exact, Dynamo General Manager Matt Jordan was attempting to lure Vaclav Hladky from St Mirren. To date that has not yet happened, as he is signed through June 2020, but don’t think the organization is not pursuing Hladky or any other keeper.

Over the next 17 days or so, something along the keeper front will happen. What, we just don’t know.

NWSL

Houston Dash

On January 16, 2020 the Houston Dash will be participating in the NWSL draft. Don’t expect a lot to happen unless Houston can pull a blockbuster move like Portland Thorns FC did in the last 48 hours. What is most disappointing to this writer is that it appears the rich will only get richer. In addition to Portland (a playoff team in 2019) having the top pick and three of the top 16, 2019 champ NC Courage has the sixth pick while the Chicago Red Stars have four of the first nine picks. Even Sky Blue FC which finished eighth in the 2019 table, sandwiched between Houston and last place Orlando, has seven picks including numbers two and three. Houston by contrast has one pick at number 18.

Dash head coach James Clarkson will never say he is handcuffed but without a balance of new and old, it is tough to get any realm of consistency going. The goal is to get to the playoffs not just once but on a regular basis. At least in the deal for Kealia Ohai, Houston received a strong return in center back Katie Naughton. Credit the organization with addressing the biggest need, which has been a sore spot since the club’s inception.