Meet the new guys: Daniel Steres

Previous Club: LA Galaxy

Acquired by: In exchange for Houston’s natural third round pick in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft

Position: Defender

With the head coach position still vacant, general manager Pat Onstad has begun making some offseason roster moves with the acquisition of Daniel Steres from LA Galaxy. “We are thrilled to welcome Daniel and his family to our club,” the Dynamo GM said. “Daniel brings valuable MLS experience to our group and models the competitive and selfless character traits that we want in every player that we bring to Houston.”

The California native played his college soccer for San Diego State where he saw the field in more than 70 matches for the Aztecs. Steres was selected in the 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft by Chivas USA but did not sign a professional contract with the now dissolved team. He was then picked up via waivers by Seattle Sounders the same year, but didn’t see any MLS action with the Sounders. After going unnoticed in Major League Soccer, the West Coast man found himself on the East Coast playing with the Wilmington Hammerheads in the Premier Development League where he led the team with 7 goals and 3 assists during his 25 appearances. That impressive season in North Carolina sparked the interest of the LA Galaxy. Steres signed with their reserve team, LA Galaxy II, where his success eventually led him to the first team. During his time with LA Galaxy II, the Burbank native led the club to the 2015 USL Western Conference Championship and earned back-to-back honors as the Defender of the Year.

Daniel Steres made his Major League Soccer debut with the Galaxy in 2016. He appeared in 140 regular season games, starting in 127 of them. Steres tallied 8 goals and 4 assists during his time with the LA club. “Daniel was one of the first signings from LA Galaxy II to the first team and had a successful career with the Galaxy, showcasing the talent within our organization,” LA Galaxy president Chris Klein said in a statement. “We’d like to thank Daniel for his commitment and contributions to our club and wish him the best in the next step of his career.”

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

What does he bring to the Dynamo?

Steres, 31, brings plenty of MLS experience into a defending group that lacks it. This is especially true when it comes to the backups, where he will bring a needed boost to the squad depth. Coming from a Galaxy team that is always pressured and expected to do well, expect Daniel to booster the internal competition for a starting role.

Steres is a physical center back, that balances his timing and aggression well while defending. Above all, his aerial treat is the attribute that Houston has lacked much off and is much needed.

Can Steres impress the new coach and earn a starting role over Tim Parker or Teenage Hadebe? How are you feeling about the move to add another experienced defender to the roster? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.