Houston Dynamo: Goalkeeper competition improves everything

Houston Dynamo roster will soon jump from one goalkeeper to several when deals for Vaclav Hladky and Marko Maric are completed. The increased competition will only serve to improve everything for the Dynamo.

Houston Dynamo scouts have been very busy in Europe finding the team’s next star goalkeeper. Currently, the team only has Michael Nelson on the roster, who was taken in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft.

With this being the case and the Dynamo obviously needing to address their goalkeeping deficiency, the team has edged toward signing Liga MX goalkeeper William Yarbrough. But he is not the only one.

The Houston Dynamo are reportedly chasing St. Mirren shot-stopper Vaclav Hladky, who is rated so highly that he would immediately become one of the best goalkeepers in MLS. The 29-year-old Hladky is credited with keeping St. Mirren out of relegation with a string of fabulous performances.

Hladky would also be available. He has not yet signed a new deal with St. Mirren and his current contract expires at the end of the season. Should the Scottish club seek to find some value on their goalkeeper, they would have to sell in the January transfer window.

The January transfer window could see a deal made for Hladky ranging up to $400,000. Of the clubs seeking deals to get Hladky on their roster, Dynamo are considered the strongest contenders in the battle. Another major contender has been Glasgow Rangers, who are also in the Scottish Premiership and are fighting with Celtic Rangers for the league title.

The other goalkeeper gaining the Houston Dynamo’s attention is Marko Maric, who is now playing for Norwegian club Lillestrom. He has started every game for the Norwegian club for the past two seasons.

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Although not officially on the roster at this posting, the word is out that the Dynamo have already sealed a deal for the Croatian. As with Hladky, other clubs made a run but Dynamo stayed out in front the entire time.

Scouts find that of all goalkeepers on the Dynamo radar, Maric is the closest to reaching his potential. He has demonstrated no outstanding weaknesses and isn’t reckless when he runs out to meet a ball. He would need the least grooming to be ready for the new season, which is important given that pre-season training just around the corner.

While Hladky looks to have the most positive and explosive impact of the group, Maric is the most ready for the Dynamo in MLS competition. Which way Houston go, then, may depend on what profile goalkeeper they want.

Lately, Houston Dynamo supporters viewing the team roster have had reason to worry with only one goalkeeper. But Nelson is about to get some company, and with that company being competitive, it will only serve to make him and the entire team better in the process.