Go big at CB to start season. Arena and/or Cochrane could go on loan to Pitt along with JJ and maybe Salazar? Sherrod could go too. Playing in USL is not a bad thing and the competition and talent are improving every season - look at the development of Ownby and Dom Dwyer among others. You can't get better and fitter if you're not on the field despite all the training ground work. What about Sito Seoane (?) and Euan Holden. Are they good enough to stick? Maybe one of them signs and goes on loan. Remember, the player on loan can be recalled, if needed. A good example would be the 3rd GK. DC United's 3rd keeper played in Richmond but was called up a couple of times due to injuries or open cup matches. Also, Pitts often plays 4-2-3-1 or 4-1-3-2. I'm sure Dom will have some influence over formations and the way loaned players are used.
I agree. JT/Brunner/Horst should stay, and Cochran could really use the minutes at Pittsburgh. Ownby is a great example of a player benefiting from a loan. Seone was not offered a contract, and has moved on. Holden has not yet been offered a contract, and is not currently with the team in SC. I like what I saw from Holden, but who knows how much he wanted wage wise, or if I was wrong in my assessment of him. I'm sure that Dom will not have any say in the tactics that Pittsburgh uses though.
He doesn't. And from what I understand from the 'Hounds fans, they don't need any more midfielders. They do need a bit of help up top and in the back. Not sure how much that impacts who Dom sends down.
Dynamo can send JJ down since he can play forward. Salazar is a given. Either Arena or AJ go to Pittsburgh, but I doubt both will. The Dynamo would not roll with only 3 CBs. Sherrod might have to stay, especially if the Dynamo have trouble getting goals from the forwards. Weaver is not there anymore so...
Pittsburgh is only a few hours away via airline. I don't see it being too big of a deal to send players. They can be back on a days notice.
Not sure what Dom will do from standpoint of loaning players, but I know what I would do. I would not send any rookies out on loan. I'd want them here in Houston where I could work with them on learning how to train as a pro and Dynamo way and monitor progress. I would send 2nd year or more players. For me, it would be Salazar, Arena, JJ (assuming he is not going to play at forward, playing him on the wing is a waste) and Deric. A few weeks ago I would have said Lopez might be sent out on loan as he looked poor. He has come on since then. Still needs to work more on getting back and defending if he is going to see playing time, but not so bad that he should be sent out on loan.
Yes, but it is not particularly ideal to take players who are unfamiliar with their club, manager, teammates, club style of play, etc. and immediately ship them out for the season. You really want them to spend some time here first so you can train them yourself and learn their strengths, weaknesses, training habits and so on.
Hounds first match is Mar 29 at Orlando. That's a whole month and a couple of MLS matches away so newbies still have time to train with first team then go to Pitts if Dom wants them playing. Sounds like Salazar, Arena, Johnson and maybe 3rd GK (Lisch). Chabala is possible but is good insurance at outside back. Pitt needs a good reliable keeper and some help in back line. Leading Charleston? 2-0?
I can't see sending a veteran like Chabala out on loan. From what I have heard from Pittsburgh fans, Lisch probably wouldn't start over their top keeper. From my standpoint, makes no sense to send a keeper out on loan to sit on the bench. He can sit on the bench here. If that is the case, then I suspect we'd see Deric go on loan. He could use the playing time and can be recalled quickly if Tally gets injured.
Yes, I believe in shipping the best players that won't get minutes out on loan to get minutes, even if they only trained with the Dynamo for 2-3 months prior. Lack of competitive playing time destroys players. You need young players to be playing games almost year round for development. That trumps babysitting them at training to learn a managers system, with no competitive matches. As long as the players on loan aren't sitting on the bench in Pittsburgh, then they will be sharper getting playing time than if they just trained at HASP.
2 hrs nonstop on United. Takes longer to get to the terminal from long term parking (on site)and thru the TSA checkpoint (if you don't know about the backdoor TSA checkpoint, that the cool yinzers use) than actual flying time.
Seems I am unable to start a new thread, so will put this here for lack of a better place to put it. I enjoy reading and writing season previews. Posting the ones out there so far, appreciate if others can post any that I have missed so I am sure I am not missing anything: MLS website (Matthew Doyle) - http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...-eyes-attack-d-under-construction-armchair-an House of Houston (first 2 parts of 6 part series) - Part 1: http://houseofhouston.com/2014/02/26/houston-dynamo-season-preview-goalkeepers/ Part 2: http://houseofhouston.com/2014/03/02/houston-dynamo-season-preview-defense/ Dynamo Theory: http://www.dynamotheory.com/2014/2/28/5456514/houston-dynamo-roster-2014 Any others out there I should be reading?
Just came across another one: Pro Soccer Talk - http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2014/03/02/mls-season-preview-houston-dynamo/
Twellman and Lalas preview the 2014 Dynamo season here... seems like Twellman doesn't associate the Dynamo with happiness... wonder why http://espnfc.com/video/espnfc/video/_/id/1734799/league/usa.1?cc=5901
Twellman was pretty good when he first went behind the mic. Since pairing up with the clown that is Alexi Lalas he has really slumped.
Wow, that ESPN preview was just utter crap. From Lalas talking about teams focusing on Bruin because Cummings wasn't doing much (he was injured Lexi, don't forget about Giles Barnes) to them listing Mike Chabala as having left the team to a project starting lineup which indicates they actually have not seen a single preseason match. Just bad. New one from the Chronicle, Ortiz. http://www.houstonchronicle.com/spo...h-for-Dynamo-5281319.php?t=c38c358aa40c891244
Part III of the House of Houston season preview: http://houseofhouston.com/2014/03/04/houston-dynamo-season-preview-midfield/
what is the deal with Chewie-some of his FB posts were kind of cryptic leading me to think he's getting released-was he and missed it? I think he's a solid bench guy who plays for cheap and can plug a hole-see the playoffs last season.