DYNAMO Houston - Team Overview

An introduction to the newest MLS Team, courtesy of MLS.net...

Head Coach: Dominic Kinnear
Key departures: Danny Califf (to Europe), Mark Chung (retirement), Troy Dayak (retirement), Danny O'Rourke (to Red Bulls New York), Spartan Stadium (where the team went undefeated in 2005, adjusting better than any of its opponents to the fields narrow confines)
Key additions: Adrian Serioux (from Red Bulls New York), Zach Wells, Patrick Ianni

KEY PERSONNEL
Goalkeeper
Pat Onstad: The 2005 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year provided a solid foundation for the league's best defense a year ago. One of the Canadian contingent.

Defenders
Kelly Gray: Acquired from the Chicago Fire in midseason last year, he gets forward well in attack on the right flank. He is fast, and strong and aggressive when the team needs to recover the ball.

Craig Waibel: Slowed by injury for almost the entire 2005 season, Waibel has returned to full fitness and will start in central defense. Very good in the air and had a good preseason.

Kevin Goldthwaite: Another player who had an impressive preseason, and he will start in central defense as Eddie Robinson is injured. He is fast and has good control of the ball.

Wade Barrett: One of the team leaders, a solid defender with six years in MLS. He is very good organizing counterattacks and has good offensive skill getting forward on the left flank.

Midfielders
Ricardo Clark: He suffered an ankle injury during the offseason, but has worked hard to recover and is ready to assume his role in the midfield where he contains rivals and starts offensive plays.

Adrian Serioux: The Canadian midfielder was acquired just before the start of the season when Dynamo sent Danny O'Rourke to the New York Red Bulls. He is the classic defensive midfielder, strong and aggressive. His experience in England clubs and at the national team level will be a solid asset to the club. Serioux fits in well in Kinnear's side where teamwork is the key.

Dwayne De Rosario: A member of the 2005 MLS Best XI after his move to a playmaking midfield role from a true striker. As the designated playmaker, he will initiate the Dynamo attacks. He can score as well as set up his teammates. The third Canadian international on the team.

Brad Davis: After an injury kept him out the last half of last season, a sports hernia kept him away from part of the preseason. However, Davis has recovered and again ready to put his stamp on the left side of the Dynamo midfield with his terrific service on crosses and free kicks.

Forwards
Brian Ching: One of the top strikers in all of MLS. The Hawaiian spent part of the preseason with the national team. He spent much of 2005 injured, but still scored seven goals in 16 league games.

Alejandro Moreno: The Venezuelan striker took over a starting job into the season and ended the year with eight goals. He combines very well with his teammates and is good in the air.

OUTLOOK
Dynamo keep most of the squad that dominated the league last season and if they are as strong at home as they were in San Jose in 2005, Dynamo will certainly be in the playoffs again.

ROSTER
Uniform # /Name /Years of MLS Experience
Goalkeepers
18 / Pat Onstad / 3
1 / Zach Wells / 2

Defenders
4 / Chris Aloisi / 2
24 / Wade Barrett / 6
5 / Ryan Cochrane / 2
3 / Kevin Goldthwaite / 1
6 / Kelly Gray (mid too) / 4
19 / Patrick Ianni D / 0
21 / Aaron Lanes M / 0
51 / Adrian Serioux / 0

Midfielders
17 / Mike Chabala / 0
13 / Ricardo Clark / 3
11 / Brad Davis / 4
14 / Dwayne De Rosario / 5
2 / Eddie Robinson (Def too) / 5
26 / Marcus Storey (Fwd too) / 1
16 / Craig Waibel / 6
7 / Chris Wondolowski / 1

Forwards
20 / Ronald Cerritos / 9
25 / Brian Ching / 4
15 / Alejandro Moreno / 4
9 / Brian Mullan / 5
12 / Julian Nash / 1