Quick Hits: Houston Dynamo
A look at the key facts and figures of the 2008 Houston Dynamo
Robertson Stadium (MLS Capacity: 32,000)
2007 Record: 15-8-7, 52 pts. (2nd in Western Conference)
GF: 43 (6th in MLS)
GA: 23 (1st in MLS)
Finish: MLS Cup Champions. Defeated FC Dallas in Conference Semifinal (agg. 4-2); Defeated Kansas City Wizards 2-0 in Conference Championship; Defeated New England Revolution in MLS Cup (2-1)
Head Coach: Dominic Kinnear (5th year in charge)
Key Departures: Nate Jaqua, Joseph Ngwenya, Ryan Cochrane, Paul Dalglish
Key Additions: Franco Caraccio, Tony Caig, Bobby Boswell
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP
GOALKEEPER
Pat Onstad: Onstad is starting to gain recognition as arguably the league's best goalkeeper -- ever. He backstopped the league's all-time longest shutout streak of the season in 2007, when the club went 727 minutes without allowing a goal between June 10 and July 22 (Onstad was in goal for 547).
DEFENDERS
Wade Barrett: A workhorse, Barrett led the Dynamo by starting every game at left back and playing 2,649 of a possible 2,700 minutes.
Eddie Robinson: A feisty player, Robinson led the Dynamo in fouls a year ago, committing 70 fouls and recording 11 yellow cards. Has been an everyday starter for the past three seasons.
Bobby Boswell: Traded to the Dynamo from D.C. United for backup 'keeper Zach Wells. An undrafted rookie in 2005, he won MLS Defender of the Year honors in 2006, but was odd man out in United's rebuilding after playing 23 games as part of a D.C. defense that allowed just 34 goals in 2007.
Craig Waibel: A veteran right back, and steady as they come. He assisted on the winning goal in the MLS Cup Final vs. New England, passing to Brad Davis before his cross set up Dwayne De Rosario.
MIDFIELDERS
Brad Davis/Corey Ashe/Stuart Holden: After suffering a knee injury in 2007, Davis has been sidelined again during preseason. In his place could be the speedy Ashe, who broke through as a key substitute at left midfield in his rookie season, or Holden, a member of the U.S. under-23 national team who had a team-lead tying five assists in 2007
Ricardo Clark/Richard Mulrooney: Clark was a regular with the U.S. national team during 2007, but will begin the season finishing out the nine-game suspension he received late last year. The versatile Mulrooney will fill that spot in league games until his return; he can also play on the right of midfield and right back.
Dwayne De Rosario Easily one of the Dynamo fan favorites and league's best, De Rosario has been a finalist for league MVP honors the past two seasons and was named the MLS Cup MVP last year. Tied for third on the Dynamo in 2007 with six goals and four assists.
Brian Mullan: 2007 marked Mullan's sixth consecutive season playing in at least 20 games and fifth consecutive year starting at least 20 games, a fixture on the Dynamo right flank.
FORWARDS
Brian Ching: The face of the club along with De Rosario. The "Hawaiian Superman" tied for the team lead in 2007 with seven goals despite missing 10 games to injuries and national-team call-ups.
Chris Wondolowski: Will likely get the call until Argentinean forward Franco Caraccio is ready. He appeared in 16 league games in 2007, making three starts and notching a goal and an assist.
OUTLOOK
The Dynamo return to the field with a full arsenal and an even busier schedule. Despite the challenging minutes that lie ahead, nothing less than the MLS Cup Playoffs will do for the two-time defending champions. A trip to the final is not out of the question and the team is good enough, especially defensively, to become the first ever to win three consecutive MLS Cups.
GRADING THE SEASON
If the Dynamo get off to a good start and survive a tough schedule that features many more minutes in 2008, the team is good enough to make the playoffs and will challenge for a third consecutive MLS Cup. But if they begin to suffer injuries and fall behind the rest of the pack while competing in the always-tough Western Conference, MLS history has shown it could be tough to come back. Fans in Houston are used to winning and have been spoiled with two consecutive championships. Anything less, no matter what, will be disappointing.
NEWCOMER(S) WITH THE BIGGEST IMPACT
With the losses of Joseph Ngwenya and Nate Jaqua -- who combined for 13 goals in Dynamo uniforms -- whoever emerges to partner Brian Ching in attack will be key. Chris Wondolowski will start the season there, but has made just 24 appearances and scored two goals in league play despite being the team's leading scorer in reserve play for the past three years. Import Franco Caraccio, just 21 years old, will also play a vital role.
-- Andrew J. Ferraro
