Sullivan was a pick like the others, it's odd he's a "trialist" and they are "draft picks." Not strictly accurate but probably an organizational comment on expected precariousness of status. I kind of wondered why only the first three picks were on the camp roster, and whether it hinted the last couple are basically perceived RGV fodder from before camp started. That Aguilar surprised them in that round but the rest are seen as projects. Re that, not sure if I am a fan of blowing off picks you've never seen. I thought our defensive reserves sucked. I don't understand not at least nominally giving them an equal chance. Seems slightly smug to assume they must be worse than Garcia or Malki, coming off knee injuries to boot. My theory is the people coming in fresh in the fourth quarter of this game, or late in the RGV game coming up, are basically in an intrateam scrimmage for RGV playing for RGV jobs. They may have our jersey on but for practical purposes it's a question of do they look better than last year's RGV players or not.
Sullivan was listed as a draft pick on the roster given out at the Open Practice last Saturday and on the roster from the Dynamo website. https://www.houstondynamo.com/post/2018/01/23/dynamo-open-2018-preseason-34-players-camp The only place I see him called a trialist is in the Chron article. Probably a mistake.
I'd swear some initial team missive had the last two defender picks as trialists. But maybe I'm conflating the team's release with the reporting of same. The article on the day lists the keeper selection but not the others. When I am running on all cylinders I try to read between the lines of such statements. Kind of like, I think the full texts of the "you're now the #10" statements re Martinez sound to me ambivalent. "You're the guy, now earn it" places the concern right alongside the promotion. It basically means (to me) if he produces well he keeps the slot, if not, he either gets the Torres treatment or shifted to a supporting role. I digress. I may be reading too much in or conflating official comment with reporting, but it comes across to me like the first three picks are ticketed for the roster (would have to play their way off) and the last two are trialists who are likely fighting for whether they are signed at all, go directly to RGV, or elect to make their own choices. I see support for that in the fact there is just one signed keeper, no target striker and a central striker sold, and a need for creative midfielders, but that the last two, while perhaps getting unfairly short attention on a team with some defending issues, would be redundant of at least 2 wingbacks per slot. Whether they should be seen that way is debating a counterfactual against where I see the team headed. So if they get reported as trialists, hmmmm. Maybe sloppy reporting or maybe attuned to reality. Like I said, I think they are headed to RGV in organizational forecasting, and the only question is whether they play along and play the odds of performance or injuries, or whether they elect to sign someplace they choose.
Dynamo at RGVFC tonight. Starting lineup: Seitz; Remick, Leonardo, Machado, Malki; Ward, Bird; Wenger, Martinez, Alvarez; Steeves The game tonight is three 30 minute periods.
End of the 1st period. Lineup for the 2nd period: McLain; Bilyeu, K. Garcia, M. Williams, Padilla; Ward, Bird; Wenger, Aguilar, Palomino; Steeves
End of the 2nd period. 3rd period lineup: Nelson; Beasley, Senderos, Fuenmayor, K. Garcia; Alexander, Ceren; Rodriguez, Boniek, Elis; Manotas
70' Dynamo goal. Elis 77' Dynamo goal. Manotas 78' Dynamo goal. Rodriguez 81' Dynamo goal. Manotas 82' RGV goal. RGV 1-8 Houston 86' Dynamo goal. Own goal off Beasley cross RGV 1-9 Houston
More like it. Fourth goal in the highlights is tidy. I take this to be first and third period were first team. Steves remains with the first team as do Nelson, Malki, Bird, Ward, Memo, Garcia. Not good for Williams if as a veteran he's sent out with the marginals. Second period if you didn't play in another period I'd be worried I am bubble.
Recap of the RGVFC game including video highlights: https://www.houstondynamo.com/post/...season-win-against-rio-grande-valley-fc-toros
Updated 2/5/18: https://www.houstondynamo.com/post/2018/01/12/houston-dynamo-announce-2018-preseason-schedule 2018 pre-season games and events: Times are CT Preseason games at HEB Park in Edinburg, TX Wednesday, January 31 UT-RGV 0-2 Dynamo Saturday, February 3 RGVFC Toros 1-9 Dynamo Monday, February 5 Training camp returns to Houston Preseason game at HSP in Houston Saturday February 10 Dynamo v. TBA Preseason games in Tucson Wednesday, February 14 Portland vs. Houston 3:00 pm HoustonDynamo.com/live Saturday, February 17 Houston vs. NY Red Bulls 7:15 pm HoustonDynamo.com/live Wednesday, February 21 Houston vs. Phoenix Rising (USL) 6:00 pm HoustonDynamo.com/live Saturday, February 24 Phoenix Rising vs. 5th 3:00 pm 3rd vs. 4th 6:00 pm 1st vs. 2nd 8:00 pm Regular season begins. Saturday, March 3 Dynamo v. Atlanta United 2:30 pm
According to the Dynamo twitter the preseason game on February 10 will be against HBU but it is closed to the public.
The Saturday morning game apparently turned into an intra-squad scrimmage. I haven't seen any coverage or updates from the team. The Dynamo head to Arizona this week.
The next preseason game in Tucson: Wednesday, February 14 Portland vs. Houston 3:00 pm CT HoustonDynamo.com/live This is the first game against MLS opposition this preseason. The Dynamo went 2-0 so far this year in games against UT-RGV and RGVFC. Portland played two games earlier in Tucson. They drew San Jose, 0-0, on January 31 and lost to Seattle, 2-1, on February 3. They spent the last week training in Portland. They next play FC Dallas on Saturday. The Dynamo stay in Tucson to play the NY Red Bulls on Saturday.
Links for today's game: Facebook: http://ow.ly/tOBA30ipfqO YouTube: http://ow.ly/lopa30ipfrO Website: http://ow.ly/VsFD30ipftT Starting lineup against Portland: Nelson; Malki, Fuenmayor, Leonardo, Remick; Ward, Cerén, Martínez; Álvarez, Steeves, Rodriguez
Second half lineup: Seitz; K. Garcia, Machado, Senderos, Beasley; Alexander, Cabezas, B. García; Elis, Manotas, Wenger