Houston Dynamo power up their roster to get on track

BOYDS, MD - MARCH 17: Houston players celebrate the first goal scored by forward Alberth Elis (17) during a MLS soccer match between D.C. United and the Houston Dynamo on March 17, 2018, at the Maryland Soccerplex, in Boyds, Maryland. The game ended in a 2-2 tie. (Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BOYDS, MD - MARCH 17: Houston players celebrate the first goal scored by forward Alberth Elis (17) during a MLS soccer match between D.C. United and the Houston Dynamo on March 17, 2018, at the Maryland Soccerplex, in Boyds, Maryland. The game ended in a 2-2 tie. (Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Houston Dynamo recently signed Swedish defender Adam Lundqvist and U.S.-born Liga MX midfielder Luis Gil. The two new additions will power up a roster looking to get back on track.

Defender Adam Lundqvist and midfielder Luis Gil joined the Houston Dynamo within the past week. As soon as they can, they’ll begin working into places of production for Houston Dynamo’s efforts.

Lundqvist comes to the Dynamo using Targeted Allocation Money as a full transfer from his Swedish team. He takes an International roster spot. Gil joins the team on loan from Liga MX’s Querétaro FC.

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Making the first team of his IF Elfsborg Academy at only 18 years of age, Lundqvist attracted a lot of attention in the first division Swedish Allsvenskan across 109 games, in which he scored three goals with recorded a further 15 assists. He helped Di Gule to the Svenska Cup, where they got as high as the UEFA Europa League group stage, and the 24-year-old also made the Swedish Olympic team.

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Dynamo head coach Wilmer Cabrera said the team looks forward to the opportunity to work Lundqvist into the left-back position. At the same time, Lundqvist said he’s anxious to play alongside team captain DaMarcus Beasley, a veteran of four World Cups.

Gil, meanwhile, comes to the Dynamo after a draft-pick trade with Real Salt Lake for his rights. The team has Gil for the remainder of this season. The attacking midfielder has played 155 games with Real Salt Lake, Orlando City SC and Colorado Rapids, with 98 starts. He has scored 11 goals and has nine assists. He didn’t play any of those games with Houston Dynamo, but with his experience, he knows who they are and how they run their formations, according to Matt Jordan, Dynamo Senior Vice President and General Manager.

Not only that, but the California-native played in the 2009 U17 World Cup under Dynamo head coach Wilmer Cabrera. Gil, age 24, has also played in nine Liga MX and two Copa MX games. He helped Los Gallos Blancos win the 2016 Apertura Copa MX post-season.

Cabrera sees Gil as a player of U.S. national team caliber. He enthusiastically looks forward to continuing work with the midfielder and see how he helps the team with his ability and experience.

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These are vital additions for a Dynamo side that are sliding out of playoff contention. The MLS season is long and arduous, and there is still much work to be done. But these new additions to power up a lacking roster are vital for Houston Dynamo’s hopes.