Houston Dynamo: Defensive reinforcements the priority

Despite a porous MLS season, Wilmer Cabrera’s Houston Dynamo will be competing in the CONCACAF Champions League next season. As they prepare, defensive reinforcements must be the priority.

If the Houston Dynamo are to enjoy more success next season, they must hope that Juan David Cabezas stays healthy and that they can improve their backline.

With Mauro Manotas, Romell Quioto, Tomás Martínez and Alberth Elis, Houston boasts one of the most potent attacks in Major League Soccer.

The only concern with that department is whether or not the Dynamo will be able to retain those attacking weapons. Quioto has stated his desire to play in Europe and there will undoubtedly be clubs sniffing around Manotas and Elis. But there is reason to believe that much, if not all, of the attacking threat that punctuated the Dynamo performances this season can be replicated next season. The only problem is the defence.

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Defensive reinforcements must be the priority for Matt Jordan and Wilmer Cabrera this offseason. Houston have conceded far too many goals this season and cannot afford to do so again if they hope to return to the playoffs next season — 53 goals conceded is more than every team currently above the playoff line in either conference bar Real Salt Lake.

2017 MVP Cabezas will occupy one of the midfield positions next season, while Alejandro Fuenmayor, who enjoyed a promising rookie MLS campaign, will occupy one of the centre-back slots. But the rest of the team remains a mystery, especially in defensive positions.

Boniek García and Eric Alexander are fantastic squad players, but I would like for the Dynamo to sign a Designated Player midfielder to partner Cabezas. Perhaps someone in the mold of John McGinn, who the Dynamo nearly signed in 2015 and would provide an element of security, structure and screening in front of the backline.

Nonetheless, it is the defense itself that needs the most work. More specifically, the centre-backs. While I would be happy for Adolfo Machado, Jared Watts and Conor Donovan to return, the Dynamo should be looking to replace Philippe Senderos, who has made the treatment room his home in recent years, Kevin Garcia and Leonardo, both of whom are a little naive.

The Dynamo could also do with getting younger on the backend. Their attack benefitted massively from an infusion of youth. You would like to think that a similar approach with their defense could yield similar results.

This Dynamo team is dangerous. They have quality in key areas. Just not in defence. It must be the key priority for the organisation this offseason.