Dynamo Theory - 2015 MLS Combine and SuperdraftYou may all go to hell and I will support the Dynamo.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48763/dynamotheory-fave.png2015-01-20T14:27:13-06:00http://www.dynamotheory.com/rss/stream/73153982015-01-20T14:27:13-06:002015-01-20T14:27:13-06:00Dynamo Pick Taylor Hunter in 3rd round of Draft
<figure>
<img alt="Best Photo I could find, I swear." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DOn0yFAFf3jwRGWPWD7kauHTCn4=/0x47:150x147/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45503482/10271049.0.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Best Photo I could find, I swear. | <a href='http://www.denverpioneers.com/sports/m-soccer/spec-rel/090214aah.html'>Denver Pionners</a></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Houston Dynamo Select Midfielder Taylor Hunter in 3rd Round of the SuperDraft</p> <p></p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Dynamo</a> made their final selection of the 2015 MLS Superdraft by picking Taylor Hunter out of the University of Denver. Hunter was selected with the 7<sup>th</sup> pick in the 3<sup>rd</sup> round (49<sup>th</sup> overall) and was the last draft pick by the Dynamo.</p>
<p>Hunter, an "academic standout and defensive minded midfielder", <a href="https://twitter.com/DarrellLovell/status/557618191338590208">according to Darrell Lovell</a>, played in 68 matches during his time at the University of Denver starting in 62 of them <a href="http://www.denverpioneers.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/taylor_hunter_898608.html">where he helped the team set</a> shutout, scoreless minutes, single season wins, and consecutive unbeaten match records (thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/DynamoCooligan">Jeff Strong</a> for tweeting out the link for his work at Denver). Hunter's senior year was one of his best years as he was named the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/summit-league-basketball-tournament" class="sbn-auto-link">Summit League Tournament</a> MVP, named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District 7 First Team, and named team captain.</p>
<p>Hunter sits behind <span>Ricardo Clark</span>, <span>Luis Garrido</span>, <span>Nathan Sturgis</span>, who was <a href="http://www.dynamotheory.com/2015/1/20/7859183/houston-dynamo-sign-nathan-sturgis">officially signed today</a>, and <a href="http://www.dynamotheory.com/2015/1/15/7552411/zach-steinberger-houston-dynamo-mls-draft-results">first round Superdraft pick</a> Zach Steinberger in depth at the defensive midfielder position and if signed will likely see time developing with the Charleston Battery.</p>
<p></p>
https://www.dynamotheory.com/2015/1/20/7861941/houston-dynamo-select-taylor-hunter-in-last-rounds-of-superdraftGribbs2015-01-19T09:30:02-06:002015-01-19T09:30:02-06:00Oumar Ballo video highlights
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/BAycvVIwPTW8x3I_Eqgc0QeQM_M=/0x56:2400x1656/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45495788/usa-today-8267048.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Highlights from Oumar Ballo's time in at UMBC. Check out what the Dynamo saw in the defender.</p>
https://www.dynamotheory.com/2015/1/19/7852349/oumar-ballo-college-highlights-umbc-houston-dynamo-superdraftAlicia Tolar2015-01-18T09:30:02-06:002015-01-18T09:30:02-06:00Rob Lovejoy combine highlights
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/K-AMSwSsw8RdrXZDnKLzsWezIzk=/0x67:4401x3001/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45229914/usa-today-8331264.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Highlights from Rob Lovejoy's time at the MLS Comine.</p>
https://www.dynamotheory.com/2015/1/18/7557361/rob-lovejoy-combine-highlightsAlicia Tolar2015-01-17T09:30:02-06:002015-01-17T09:30:02-06:00Steinberger talks college, combine and Houston
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1wJReeaLnDyyQDVIzXm8Be4aDM4=/0x204:3769x2717/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45229028/usa-today-8331265.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Dynamo's first pick talks about how the combine helped him move up the draft board and land a spot in Houston.</p>
https://www.dynamotheory.com/2015/1/17/7556683/zach-steinberger-talks-about-the-superdraftAlicia Tolar2015-01-15T16:01:55-06:002015-01-15T16:01:55-06:00The Dynamo's SuperDraft in Review
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/rtemMZpeu9Yh3iWJBl36HnTzhmo=/0x20:4159x2793/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45225710/usa-today-8331243.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Following a busy two rounds of action, the Houston Dynamo left the first half of the 2015 MLS SuperDraft with a defender, a midfielder, and a forward. Dynamo Theory digs a little deeper on today's selections.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/">Houston Dynamo</a> had a very active MLS SuperDraft, entering the day with two picks, but leaving with three players. Employing a "best available" strategy, the technical staff picked up a player for each third of the field and bolstered the roster in very needed positions. Here's a look at the newest members in orange.</p>
<p><b>Zach "Wolfgang" Steinberger</b> comes into Houston with several years of professional experience. As a teenager, Steinberger traveled and trained with the Middlesborough U-16 squad in England. However, without an EU passport, he was unable to sign and continued traveling, seeing minutes in Slovakia and Germany before returning to America.</p>
<p>Once back in the states, Steinberger was lured to Butler University in 2011 and highlighted the team as a freshman, leading the squad in assists and netting 4 goals. Continuing his role as a midfielder in 2012, Zach found additional playing time in the summer with USL PDL division's Michigan Bucks. While with the Bucks (also a former club of <span>Eric Brunner</span> and <span>Kofi Sarkodie</span>), Steinberger found minutes in the 2012 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/us-open-tennis">US Open</a> Cup (a Round of 16 extra time loss to Dayton Dutch Lions FC) and remained with them through their 2014 PDL Championship victory, claiming scoring titles in the process.</p>
<p>Steinberger turned in <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/video/2015/01/14/highlights-zach-steinberger-m-butler-2015-mls-superdraft">an impressive MLS Combine</a>, also ranking second in the 5-10-5 Agility Drill with a time of 4.03s (a general <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJF5ZEiwU4Y">video</a> of the drill is here). "He controlled every game he played in, lovely passing of the ball, and it was an area we can strengthen in," said head coach Owen Coyle, "Very motivated, wants to do his best - a real desire to do well in the game."</p>
<p>Barring significant injuries akin to the 2014 season, his role with the Dynamo is not likely to be felt this season, though continuing to develop at a higher level with USLPro's Charleston Battery should serve as an important step in earning a spot with the Dynamo's first team one day. Check out some additional highlights of Steinberger <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Umkq5D4ofAU">here</a>.</p>
<p><b>Oumar Ballo </b>hails from the University of Maryland - Baltimore County where he played in central defense and helped propel the Retrievers to an unlikely Final Four in the most recent College Cup. The 2014 season was also notable for the 6'2" defender as he claimed conference Defender of the Year awards and led the backline in a tournament that began with four consecutive shutouts.</p>
<p>Ballo contributed to stingy performances with USL PDL's Baltimore Bohemians and Reading United A.C., providing additional experience for the All-American defender. His height has helped to make him a scoring threat (something that will be of particular interest to the standard <span>Brad Davis</span> set piece) and he has a very athletic and intelligent skillset that makes him cut out for a quick trajectory to first team minutes.</p>
<p>Ballo put on a quiet but strong display at the <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/video/2015/01/14/highlights-oumar-ballo-d-university-maryland-2015-mls-superdraft#ooid=M0cjlzcjqPwdaMYMH397Uimo6UgGalrW">MLS Combine</a> and showed he could potentially keep pace with the MLS level but still needs development on his ability to play from the back. Still, his skillset was deemed too vital to wait for as the Dynamo traded away signing rights to <span>Servando Carrasco</span> (who was unlikely to stay in Houston) in order to secure <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebluetestament.com/">Sporting Kansas City's</a> 30th pick.</p>
<p>The defender will certainly get some minutes in Charleston but his College Cup experience could be very important if he gets the call for the US Open Cup next season.</p>
<p><b>Rob Lovejoy </b>is a midfielder/forward out of North Carolina and a member of the 2011 National Championship team. During his time with the Tar Heels, Lovejoy saw plenty of playoff soccer with one of the strongest programs in the country. In the 2014 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/march-madness">NCAA Tournament</a>, Lovejoy helped propel UNC past Clemson (his goal in that game is <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_QgZuYJtbs">here</a>) to the Quarterfinals before losing to UCLA.</p>
<p>Lovejoy does have a history of injury throughout his college career, including missing the first 12 matches in his 2012 season from an offseason injury, and the entirety of 2013 with a torn groin muscle. That said, he is versatile in where he plays on the field and can be of great use on the wing or posting up as a forward. He has the agility to attack and doesn't shy away from shooting on goal but is intelligent enough to complete a solid pass for an assist. His <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/video/2015/01/14/highlights-rob-lovejoy-f-north-carolina-2015-mls-superdraft">MLS Combine highlights</a> can attest to that.</p>
<p>The former Tar Heel will be far down the depth chart, especially with Cubo Torres' summer arrival, but might help bolster the Battery attack in 2015.</p>
https://www.dynamotheory.com/2015/1/15/7553793/the-dynamo-superdraft-in-reviewJustin Jerkins2015-01-15T15:16:10-06:002015-01-15T15:16:10-06:00The Dynamo used their #36 pick on Rob Lovejoy
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jp4z1LdsyBfW5PhLTID2c_gDJ1A=/0x153:5111x3560/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45225478/usa-today-8331233.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Houston Dynamo used their #36 pick in the second round to draft forward/midfielder Rob Lovejoy in the 2015 MLS Superdraft. </p> <p></p>
<p>With the 15<sup>th</sup> pick of the second round of the 2015 MLS Superdraft (36<sup>th</sup> overall), the Houston Dynamo selected Rob Lovejoy out of the University of North Carolina. Lovejoy is listed as a forward but can play out wide on the left side.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/media/article/?mediaId=20997&width">According to Top Drawer Soccer</a> Lovejoy shoots often, is just below average in his shot accuracy, crosses fewer times than his peers (likely due to him playing as a forward for 10/11 games last year), and doesn't crash the penalty box area. By the end of the 2014 season he was able to score 5 goals and notch 5 assists out of 17 games which is a healthy contribution to the goal tally per game.</p>
<p>With the Dynamo's 3<sup>rd</sup> pick of the Superdraft now out of the way the Dynamo have filled their roster. Players like Lovejoy will likely see time developing with the club's USL Pro affiliate, the Charleston Battery, which will be pretty close to home for Lovejoy, a native of North Carolina.</p>
<p></p>
https://www.dynamotheory.com/2015/1/15/7553767/the-houston-dynamo-select-rob-lovejoy-in-the-2015-mls-superdraftGribbs2015-01-15T14:34:41-06:002015-01-15T14:34:41-06:00Dynamo snag Ballo at #30 in MLS SuperDraft
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/OhtC0zsSLw7IOvwbu75HEq4QHrc=/0x418:3490x2745/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45223488/usa-today-7680118.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>At #30, Houston snags Oumar Ballo in the second round of the 2015 MLS SuperDraft.</p> <p></p>
<p>With the 9<sup>th</sup> pick of the second round of the 2015 MLS Superdraft (30<sup>th</sup> overall), the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/">Houston Dynamo</a> selected Oumar Ballo out of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Ballo is a 6'2'' defender that has the strength and aerial ability to be a quality addition to the Dynamo back line.</p>
<p>Matt Jordan, the Dynamo's new Technical Director and General Manager, conducted the trade to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebluetestament.com/">Sporting Kansas City</a> which moved the team up in draft order to make their pick. The team sent future considerations to SKC which were <a href="https://twitter.com/DarrellLovell/status/555822715827793920">revealed to be the rights</a> to central midfielder <span>Servando Carrasco</span>.</p>
<p>Our own Alicia Tolar took Ballo in <a href="http://www.dynamotheory.com/2015/1/12/7525819/mls-mock-draft-2015-houston-dynamo-pick-oumar-ballo-kyler-sullivan">SB Nation's Mock Draft</a> with the club's 8<sup>th</sup> pick and she highlighted some of his strengths. Ballo was coveted by the Dynamo brass and valued him high enough to trade up for him and in doing so addressed one of their biggest off-season needs in shoring up the backline.</p>
<p>We'll keep you updated on all information about the 2015 MLS Superdraft as it comes in to us.</p>
<p></p>
https://www.dynamotheory.com/2015/1/15/7540441/-houston-dynamo-mls-draft-resultsGribbs2015-01-15T12:32:30-06:002015-01-15T12:32:30-06:00Dynamo select Zach Steinberger at MLS Draft
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/viYFZomm2bvrvofTP2342n9fqUI=/12x0:4907x3263/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45223474/usa-today-7680114.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>With their first round selection, the Dynamo pick Zach Steinberger at No. 8.</p> <p>With the eighth pick of the first round, Houston Dynamo selected Zach Steinberger out of Butler. Steinberger, an attacking midfielder, has been a consistent producer in three seasons, delivering a modest total of goals and assists (he registered 6G, 4A in 2014).</p>
<p>Steinberger's selection comes as a bit of a surprise, particularly with defensive midfielder and Generation Adidas product Cristian Roldan on the board, but Steinberger appears to have impressed during his MLS Combine performances. Over his college career, he's been named to the 2012 All-Tournament Team at the Akron Tournament and the First Team All Big East in 2013.</p>
<p>In the last week, the Dynamo leadership have echoed their strategy to go with the best available players at their draft picks and, according to head coach Owen Coyle, the Butler midfielder can help bolster and provide depth to the existing midfield core of Barnes, Davis, and Boniek. Highlights of Steinberger's MLS Combine can be found <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/video/2015/01/14/highlights-zach-steinberger-m-butler-2015-mls-superdraft">here</a>.</p>
<p>Dynamo Theory will have a full draft breakdown following the conclusion of the MLS SuperDraft.</p>
https://www.dynamotheory.com/2015/1/15/7552411/zach-steinberger-houston-dynamo-mls-draft-resultsJustin Jerkins