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What’s wrong with the Dynamo attack?

By Antonio Rubio

Apr 10, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Dynamo defender Will Bruin (12) attempts to advance the ball as Seattle Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan (7) defends during the second half at BBVA Compass Stadium. The Dynamo and Sounders tied 1-1. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Dynamo defender Will Bruin (12) attempts to advance the ball as Seattle Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan (7) defends during the second half at BBVA Compass Stadium. The Dynamo and Sounders tied 1-1. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Dynamo have been in a summer slump in the goals department. Since Wade Barrett took over the defense has been rock solid, but the offense… not so hot.

2016 has been a drag for Houston so far. They started the season with flying colors scoring as the Dynamo attack flourished in Owen Coyle’s first 3 games of the season. The attack made up of Bruin, Barnes, and Co. managed to score 11 goals in the first 3 matches; including a 5-0 defeat of bitter rival, FC Dallas. Since those matches, the Dynamo have struggled mightily to score consistently and the defense has been very shaky.

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Fast forward to now. Coyle gone, Barrett in and the defense is airtight with 2 shutouts in a row. Fans are getting desperate for points and now for goals. At this point in MLS, we are currently in 9th in the Western Conference and shutout ties aren’t enough. Wade Barrett has held this Dynamo defense together with a change to a 4-1-4-1, but in return has sacrificed the attack. The formation change has worked well for the Dynamo, but with the change Barrett has established himself as a defensive minded coach. Now Barrett , must move forward with the attack but Houston doesn’t have the right players to make it work in a 4-1-4-1.

Here are three reasons for Houston’s offensive slump.

1. Formation

Jun 18, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Dynamo starting players pose for a team picture before a game against D.C. United at BBVA Compass Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 18, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Dynamo starting players pose for a team picture before a game against D.C. United at BBVA Compass Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

The recent 4-1-4-1 that has been deployed by the Dynamo isolates the lone forward up top with the job to hold up play and be lethal on the counter attack. Our lone man has been Will Bruin, the famous on and off again striker. Bruin has consistently scored around 10 goals a season for the Dynamo but he is very frustrating to watch. He scores in hot streaks, and let’s just say he has some extended… cold streaks where he doesn’t score for games. He is not able to load the attack on his back in this 4-1-4-1, and we don’t have the wingers to score off the counter either. Some would say Barnes is a good winger, but he has been largely ineffective from wide positions this year.

2. Possession and Finishing

Oct 18, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Dynamo midfielder Ricardo Clark (13) celebrates after scoring a goal during the second half against the Seattle Sounders FC at BBVA Compass Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Dynamo midfielder Ricardo Clark (13) celebrates after scoring a goal during the second half against the Seattle Sounders FC at BBVA Compass Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Ricardo Clark is the engine of this team, but at age 33 he can’t be the only midfielder holding the Dynamo together. The attack has suffered from a lack of possession stemming from not being able to hold the ball up at striker but also from weak giveaways and positioning in midfield. Collen Warner has come in at defensive midfield and established himself as a starter but I believe Clark’s midfield partners in the center haven’t been good enough. Alex Lima and Chaco Maidana have both been liabilities in this formation for the Dynamo and can not keep the ball enough. Moving onto wingers, Giles Barnes has looked lackluster at times. Maybe from his long Copa America with Jamaica, but fans are not happy with what seems like a lack of effort. Things need to change for the Dynamo up top, too many chances are wasted by the likes of Bruin, and Barnes game in and out. Barrett has Manotas on the bench itching to start and he deserves to. Manotas is the finisher this club needs and his time will soon come.

3. Lack of Transfer Activity

May 28, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Houston Dynamo Assistant Coach Wade Barrett stands with Sports Performance Director/Fitness Coach Paul Caffrey and Goalkeeper Coach Paul Rogers before the start of the first half against the Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
May 28, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Houston Dynamo Assistant Coach Wade Barrett stands with Sports Performance Director/Fitness Coach Paul Caffrey and Goalkeeper Coach Paul Rogers before the start of the first half against the Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports /

Wade Barrett was only recently named Houston Interim Coach for the rest of the season, and to many it seems as he is here to stay. The summer transfer window could be slow for Barrett as he is not permanent coach yet so moves he would like to make might not be approved. The Dynamo NEED a spark in this team, someone to propel the team forward and excite fans again. Houston has an open DP slot and 2 open international slots… there is space for a move to be made. A solid central midfield acquisition and a pacey winger might just be what the Dynamo need to get back on their feet. For the sake of Dynamo fans everywhere, I hope Barrett and Co will be able to bring some exciting player to Houston and spark our offense.

In the highlights from Houston’s 0-0 draw with Orlando, one can see a lack of attacking presence from the Dynamo front line.

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