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Competition for spots should heat up preseason
Candidate plenty for starting at forward and on defense
01/29/2010
By Jonathan Yardley / HoustonDynamo.com
With the Dynamo's preseason trainingset to start on Monday, there remain plenty of questions for Dominic Kinnear and his troops to answer. Here's the second in a two-part look at some of the issues facing Houston in 2010:
1. Forward
The Dynamo appear set at forward with a fearsome quartet of Brian Ching, Luis Angel Landin, Dominic Oduro, and Cam Weaver, with third-round draft pick David Walker a possible option. With Ching penciled in to start, the battle is on to play alongside him. The options are as different on the field as they are diverse off it:
Weaver: The most productive Dynamo forward in 2009 in terms of minutes/goal (112.5 in all competitions and 99.5 in MLS play), he earned fans right away after being traded to the Dynamo, notching an assist on his debut and two goals in his next game. Three months later, he returned from injury and scored another goal against Columbus, so he certainly has touch in front of goal. With a similar style to Brian Ching, the duo could create a "Twin Towers" approach, and the Dynamo have had success in the past with Ching starting alongside a physical player in Nate Jaqua.
Oduro: A classic speed forward whose game should mesh well with Ching's, Oduro grabbed a starting spot for the playoffs last year after scoring against Chivas USA in the regular season finale. His speed stretched defenses to open up room in the midfield, and his cannon shot off the post against Seattle almost won that series in regulation. He will be hungry to impress the coaching staff with his finishing abilities during the preseason.
Landin: As has been well-documented through the offseason, the Dynamo's first designated player never achieved game fitness in 2009 and also struggled to get on the same page at times with his new teammates, both due in part to Houston's sporadic schedule and Landin's ineligibility for Champions League play. The hope is that a full preseason will get him in game shape and feeling comfortable with the Dynamo style of play. He showed flashes of his skill last year - it was his cutback between two defenders that drew a foul leading to Ching's game-winner against Seattle - but is the biggest uncertainty at forward as 2010 begins.
2. Defense
The Dynamo have been the league's top defensive club for the last three years, tying with Seattle for fewest goals allowed in 2009 after leading the league outright in 2007 and 2008. Uncharacteristically, the Dynamo gave up too many late goals in 2009, including three times against Seattle alone and nine if one counts high-scoring wins over D.C. United, Chicago, and Real Salt Lake. So defense is a priority, especially with the expectation of Geoff Cameron moving up to midfield.
Defense is also where the bulk of the Dynamo's experience lies, as Bobby Boswell has quickly become a rock at center back over the last two years, and Eddie Robinson and Ryan Cochrane were an MLS Cup-winning tandem in 2007. Robinson and Cochrane are expected to join Boswell in playing significant roles at center back. Canadian Andrew Hainault could be moved from the outside - where he started most of last year - to his more natural central position if necessary.
The expectation, however, is that Hainault will start at one outside back position, with either a healthy Mulrooney or Mike Chabala at the other spot, although the successful and experienced duo of Wade Barrett and Craig Waibel will also compete for time.
3. Goalkeeping
Just kidding. No question mark here. Pat Onstad is as good as they come in MLS, and Tally Hall showed plenty of ability last year while logging significant minutes in Open Cup and Champions League play. Hall, in fact, has two of the three 10-save performances in team history. Deric, still only 21, is expected to be the third goalkeeper once again.
