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Houston Dynamo
The Houston Dynamo got their keeper this past week.......well maybe. Houston announced the signing former TSG Hoffenheim 1899 keeper Marko Maric. With nearly a 20% clean sheet rate to his credit through 67 matches in Norway’s top league, Eliteserien, the 24 year old brings a wealth of skill and experience. While on loan to German Bundesliga side Hanover 96, the Austrian national recorded 5 clean sheets in 15 appearances across all competitions. Time will tell but if the back line becomes even more cohesive in their second year together, this may be the keeper Houston has been looking for since the days of Pat Onstad and Tally Hall.
The Dynamo organization also announced its promotional schedule. Some of the more prominent days include head coach Tab Ramos’ bobblehead on June 13th and the hometown kid Memo Rodriguez with his first bobblehead night on September 16th. In between, the club will offer a T-shirt on March 14, a commemorative scarf on August 1st and a commemorative coin on August 15th.
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Houston Dash
One has to like the way Dash head coach James Clarkson and company are putting together this team with limited avenues open to player movement. Yesterday, the club announced the signing of veteran midfielder Maegan Kelly. Kelly brings a wealth of experience to a midfield that could see her teamed with Christine Nairn and Sofia Huerta. That possibility, if it pans out, should excite a lot of fans. Kelly like Huerta has a nose for the goal. Playing with the Italian side C.F. Florentia in 2019, she found the back of the net seven times in 10 appearances.
Teaching Bridgette the basics already pic.twitter.com/dUkjPSDT0z
— Houston Dash (@HoustonDash) January 16, 2020
In the NWSL draft this week, the team snagged North Carolina forward/midfielder Bridgette Andrzejewski with the 18th pick. Not only did the Tar Heels star net 49 points (28 goals, 21 assists) in 101 appearances but she also showed well playing left mid and right wing. If it translates to the next level, as the club believes, she may be the answer to replacing former Dash captain Kealia Ohai. Houston also drafted forward Chloe Castaneda from the University of California Los Angeles.
Clarkson’s offense is looking good, and with a little more maneuvering on the back line, this team may finally challenge for a playoff berth.