3rd Degree

April 5th, 2008 . By: Jason Benfield

HOUSTON DYNAMO FORMATION

The Dynamo almost always play in a diamond 4-4-2 formation. The backline plays very physically and are expected to mark tightly regardless of where the forwards are on the pitch. The outside backs are given the liberty to join the attack out of the back but the team tends to allow the left back quite a bit more freedom than the right. That has always been the case with this system, going all the way back to the original days of Barrett or Ramiro Corrales back in San Jose.

The midfield sets up as a diamond, but is very fluid. The defensive mid is expected to join the attack and the attacking mid is expected to help out defensively. Players with high work rate who contribute on both sides of the ball are necessary to fit the system. The Houston attack relies on variation - coming from both the wings and out of the central midfield - but wing play is emphasized. Houston are at their best when they get the ball wide and then move it back in. That said, the outside midfielders are still expected to play defense as well. There is no room for “cherry pickers” or drifters in the system, which perhaps explains why Houston (and San Jose in the past) never went after a DP or aging vet type of foreign player.

Up top, the system traditionally relies on a target pairing with a smaller, fast forward. This originally was set up with Ching and Donovan, then Ching and Moreno. Last year was an aberration with Jaqua or Ngwenya pairing with Ching to give two sizeable forwards up top. The small/big combo along with the two way mindset of the midfield and outside defenders reveal the EPL influence of Kinnear’s patron, Frank Yallop.

Last week against the Revolution, the Dynamo were forced to switch to a 3-5-2 midway through the first half because of the poor play of Mulrooney and Boswell in the middle of the field. If the three man central midfield of Dallas gives them fits, we could see that formation again.

HOUSTON DYNAMO ROSTER

Just a reminder of the rating system:

1 = Developmental player
2 = Solid bench player
3 = Below average starter in MLS
4 = Above average starter in MLS
5 = All-star caliber player in MLS
6 = Superstar

Ashe - 2 - Has started at left mid in both the CCC and first game of MLS this season while Davis, Mullan, and Holden recover from injury. Great quickness on the ball, can cut on a dime. Crossing and fitness have improved tremendously since last season, so I have bumped him up from being a 1/2 to a 2/3, and he has started to edge towards a 3. His side of the field was opened up defensively by Nyassi last week. Has some work to do with the defensive side of his game. Can be physically dominated by almost any player.  Does not have a consistent impact on the game. Expected to start again against Dallas because of injuries.

Barrett - 4 - Starts at left back. Was a dominant left back in his first stint in the league, but hasn’t been as strong since his return from Europe. Defends fine, gets forward fine, but doesn’t do either spectacularly, which keeps him from consistently performing at an all star level or getting time with the national team. Just below an international level player; held back because is not a top notch athlete and doesn’t have top level speed. Can get caught forward and his crossing is inconsistent. Very good work rate and a good passer out of the back. A lot of the Revolution attacks last week came from his side of the field.

Boswell - 2 - Starts at center back, but might not be for long. Played better in Wednesday’s CCC game, but otherwise has been awful on the season, hence the demotion in rating to a 2. Should not be starting until his form improves. Has good size and is effective in the box on set pieces both offensively and defensively. However, his top speed and feet were awful last year and have only gotten worse at the start of the new campaign. Right now has the slowest feet in the league. Looked silly when Ralston dribbled at him, and was significantly beaten for speed by Cristman if that tells you anything. Was directly responsible for several of the goals in the Pan Pacific Cup in the preseason.

Brown - 2 - Hasn’t seen time yet this season, and will only see the field in desperate circumstances. Works hard, but lacks size, speed, athleticism to compete in MLS. Couldn’t break through with RSL last season, who were horrible. Finishes chances well, but lacks the ability to create his own shot and doesn’t have the speed to get onto the end of much else.

Cameron - 2 - Central midfielder is a rookie who has seen time in the last two Dynamo matches. Would not see the field if it weren’t to all of the injuries to Davis, Mullan, and Holden as well as the MLS suspension of Clark. Has good size, but not up to the speed of the game. Did okay in his short stint against NE, but was not effective in a longer run out against Saprissa. Looks like he has a decent shot from distance. Can play as a defensive mid or on the right. Will probably start at right mid because Holden and Mullan are probably out and Mulrooney has to play in the middle for Clark.

Caraccio - 2 - Young forward will probably get the start next to Ching on Sunday. Has good pace and doesn’t get knocked off the ball, but hasn’t put it all together yet. Seems to get in the right spot, but something goes wrong that keeps an opportunity from really developing. Hasn’t shown a strong shot on goal or top level athleticism yet. Has been brought on to fill the role of the speed/workhorse forward up top next to Ching, but is still in competition with Wondolowski which either indicates a lack of sharpness or a lack of talent. Has some pedigree, coming from the Argentine U20’s and the Argentine first division, but didn’t see a lot of time in the top flight. Is the key player to Houston’s chances at a three peat this season. Has not shown that he is an MLS starting caliber player yet.

Ching - 4 - Starting target forward. Very injury prone and doesn’t look quite right to start this season. Not on his game at this time. People like to compare him to McBride, but isn’t as strong in the air, and not nearly the passer McBride is. Works hard and combines well in a short passing game, but first touch can be inconsistent. Should have had a couple of goals against Saprissa but was not sharp in front of the net. Was largely invisible in the MLS opener. Is not playing at the all-star level that Houston needs him to be at with the lack of a second forward.

Clark - 5 - Typically the starting defensive midfielder, Clark is out for the Dallas game as he is still on suspension for the foul on Ruiz last season. Great athlete and a high work rate. Strong tackler. Passing has improved significantly over the last two seasons, but still has room to improve. Shot from distance is inconsistent, but can be great. When paired with De Rosario, the two can be dominant, but are both inconsistent passers which can disrupt the offensive rhythm of the team. Sometimes has a tendency to try and push the ball up the middle rather than swing it outside. Perennially an all-star and Houston cannot fill the void he leaves when he does not play.

Davis - 4 - Has always been gifted with his left foot, but has become a better overall player the last two years. Struggled at the beginning of last season with injuries and fitness before finding his form and ending the season playing quite well. Is typically the starting left midfielder, but may see more time at attacking central mid this season if a second forward doesn’t step up and De Rosario is pushed forward. Doesn’t have the speed or athleticism to make an impact at the international level, but is a very good league player. Puts a nice cross into the box and is extremely dangerous on set pieces. Will likely miss the Dallas game.

De Rosario - 6 - An absolute superstar in the league. Probably will be moved to forward at some point this season once players return from injury, but for now is playing attacking mid. Terrific dribbler, great athlete, awesome finisher. Has a goal of the year candidate every season, and always scores in the big game. Passing can be inconsistent, and his desire to constantly be on the ball can disrupt the natural flow of the offense through the wings. Is probably better as a forward, but likes to play midfield because he likes to touch the ball as much as possible. Great player and Houston is almost unbeatable when he is on his game.

Holden - 4 - Young up-and-coming player will miss the Dallas game through injury. Has the ability to start and play extremely well at either outside midfielder or holding midfielder. Showed in the U23 tournament that he can be a great tackler. Serves up one of the best crosses in the league from either side and has a wicked shot from distance. Has the ability and athleticism to be a force at the international level. Once he finds his rhythm in MLS will be difficult for the league to retain. If nothing else, his development will probably force the move of Davis inside and DeRo up top when Houston get healthy.

Ianni - 3 - Expected to be the next good central defender developed in Houston. Will probably play right back against Dallas; can also play left back and defensive mid. Showed a lot of promise last season in spot starts, but struggled in the preseason when forced to pair with Boswell in the middle. Is not the fastest player and was beaten for pace a couple of times in the U23 qualification tournament. Good, two footed passer out of the back, and lack of speed will probably eventually lead to a move to defensive midfielder similar to Sturgis at RSL. Nice size and is good in the box on defense and on set pieces in the attack. Should continue to progress this season and unless Boswell finds the “way-back machine” will take over the central defensive position next to Robinson by the end of the year.

Mullan - 5 - A versatile all-star caliber player when healthy, Mullan has been injured the entire preseason and is expected to miss the game against Dallas. Out of necessity, played right back against New England and was out of position a few times. Naturally is a right midfielder who can also play up top; he is another option to push forward if Caraccio does not step up. Has speed, a nice cross, and is deceptively strong on the ball. Can also finish well. Injuries have knocked his pace back a step, but is still very effective when healthy.

Mulrooney - 2 - Got off to a strong start once he moved to Houston last season but faded a little as the season went on. Had already lost a step after his horrific knee injury a couple of years ago with Dallas, and seems to have lost another one this year. Was horrible against New England as they carved up the center of the field. Good passer and makes quick decisions on the ball, but he is not a strong tackler anymore and doesn’t do the dirty work. Was caught several times last week not following players who made runs out of the midfield, directly resulting in two Revolution goals. Is adequate on the outside, especially at right midfield, but is now a liability in the middle of the field. Will start at defensive midfield against Dallas because of Clark’s suspension, but would not be surprised to see him at right back and Ianni at defensive mid.

Onstad - 5 - The starting goalie is the oldest player in the league, but still one of the best. Has lost athleticism, but his positioning is very good and he reads plays well in advance to be able to come off his line. Has great size and is intimidating to forwards coming in on goal. Has very long arms with great reach. Will give up absolutely horrible goals from time-to-time, but silenced doubters (including myself) last season by leading the team to the best defensive performance in league history.

Robinson - 5 - Starting central defender and the backbone of the Dynamo defense. Had a great season last year and was finally recognized for years of strong efforts. Has good size and is a very physical player who should excel on the international stage but hasn’t been given much of an opportunity. Can commit a rash foul occasionally and has a temper, but generally uses his intensity in a positive manner. Can single handedly mark out the best forward on the other team almost every game and render them useless. Good in the air and is dangerous on set pieces, where he almost scored against Saprissa.

Waibel - 3 - Formerly a liability on defense, Waibel has really improved his game the last three seasons. When he originally came into the league, he had the worst first touch in MLS and was extremely uncomfortable on the ball. Now is not only a solid passer out of the back but will even join the attack from time to time. Lacks athleticism and speed but reads the game well and is very physical. Has been sidelined with a hamstring injury, but might be back for the Dallas game.

C Wondolowski - 2 - Rumor has it that he is a strong finisher, but just hasn’t been able to show that ability at the MLS level. Does not quite have enough speed to stretch the defense, and does not combine well with other players. First touch is lacking and not a great passer of the ball. Is not MLS caliber, and his being in the running for the second forward is a sign of a lack of talent on the roster rather than an illustration of his development. To further make the point, he would not even be able to hold a developmental spot on the Dallas roster.

I have not seen Alcaraz, Caig, Chabala, Hatzke, Hayden, Ustruck, Waller, or Stephen Wondolowski play; they are all developmental players and should not factor in Sunday’s match. Caig will be the backup keeper and has time in the lower divisions in England, but I have no scouting report to give.

EXPECTED HOUSTON LINEUP

EXPECTED DALLAS LINEUP

KEY TO THE GAME

I would watch the left side of the Dallas attack. The Dallas wingers did not get forward and involved in the attack often enough against Chivas; in order for the team to present a viable offensive threat this season, that needs to change. Ianni is more of a natural player on the left than on the right, and Cameron is a rookie. If Dallas can attack through the left side and expose Mulrooney with strong runs from Rocha and Toja out of the central midfield, they could put a beat-up and reeling Houston side back on their heels. If ever there was an opportunity for Wagner to have a breakout game and gain some confidence as a midfielder, this is it.

Categories: Match Preview .

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