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Five big questions for Houston Dynamo
It's time to turn the page on the 2009 season and look forward to 2010 by answering some burning questions for the Houston Dynamo:
WHAT DO THE DYNAMO NEED TO DO TO WIN THE MLS CUP IN 2010?
The team was one point from the Supporters' Shield, tied for the top spot in the Western Conference, and lost in extra time in the Western Conference Championship after having a goal disallowed that would have given them a victory. As a result, not much needs to happen for the Dynamo to compete for MLS Cup 2010. Replacing Holden and Clark with quality starters if they leave seems to be the biggest challenge to Houston's MLS Cup ambitions for next season.
WHAT WAS THE TEAM'S BEST MOMENT IN '09?
There were two moments that stand out for the Dynamo season in 2009. Pat Onstad's incredible double save against the Colorado Rapids off a Conor Casey penalty kick single-handedly jumpstarted the season for Houston. Prior to that point, the Dynamo were winless in their first four games of the season and had been dumped out of the CONCACAF Champions League in the quarterfinals. The win against Colorado was the first game in a streak of 10 Dynamo games without a loss.
However, the moment that will likely stand out as the team's best moment in 2009 would be the playoff series against Seattle Sounders FC. Both teams battled relentlessly for an enticing 210 minutes of playoff soccer before quite possibly the best strike of Brian Ching's career eventually ended the series.
WHO SHOWED THE BIGGEST IMPROVEMENT OVER THE COURSE OF THE SEASON?
The biggest improvement between 2008 and 2009 might have been turned in by Brad Davis. With Dwayne De Rosario's departure last year, Davis put a renewed focus on his fitness and training in the offseason and he did not miss a single game due to injury in 2009. He also chipped in for an impressive 5 goals and 12 assists. Mike Chabala also deserves a nod as he elevated himself into the starting lineup, displacing veteran Wade Barrett.
However, the most improved over the course of the season can only be Geoff Cameron. After losing Eddie Robinson for the majority of the season, the Dynamo scrambled early to replace Robinson in the center of defense. Cameron eventually got the opportunity to try and fill in for Robinson and he showed some of his lack of experience as a central defender in the early going. But he also showed incredible recovery speed for a defender and great ability to contribute offensively out of the back and each week he kept getting better. Cameron continued to improve, eventually earning MLS Best XI honors as a central defender, a position where he had very little experience entering the year.
WHAT RESERVES ARE MOST READY TO CRACK THE STARTING LINEUP?
With the number of international games played, a Houston Dynamo "reserve" is more likely a misnomer. That being said, if something were to happen to goalkeeper Pat Onstad, the team looks like they have a solid backup in Tally Hall. However, Eddie Robinson enters the offseason more driven and more energized than he might have been in his previous three years in Houston. As a result, if he can stay healthy, his return to the starting lineup could allow Cameron to get the first crack at replacing Ricardo Clark in midfield.
WHAT AREA OF THE TEAM NEEDS THE MOST IMPROVEMENT?
Assuming the team re-signs Robinson and Richard Mulrooney, Houston is loaded defensively for 2010. The Dynamo end 2009 with four solid options at forward and have a full preseason to fully integrate Luis Angel Landin. As a result, the area of the team needing the most improvement has to be the midfield, based solely on the holes created by the possible exodus of Clark and Stuart Holden.
Clark's exodus seems more certain as the Dynamo seem resigned to the fact that he will be leaving for Europe this winter. The success of the Dynamo defense the last four years was due in part at least to Clark's positioning and defensive prowess. That being said, Clark didn't play in either MLS Cup Final, so the team can win without him. Cameron will likely be given the first shot to replace Clark.
More important to Houston's success in 2010 may be the team's ability to re-sign Holden. If Holden goes to Europe, he could risk losing his place in the U.S. World Cup squad if he doesn't start immediately or get quality minutes in Europe. As a result, returning to Houston for at least a year or two might be in Holden's best interest, where again he will continue to be one of the focal points of the Dynamo attack.
If Holden and Clark both leave, one of the strengths of the Dynamo immediately turns into a weakness. That being said, coach Dominic Kinnear and his staff have found more than suitable replacements for whatever holes the team has had year after year.
