After the defensive woes that they endured last season, the Houston Dynamo will hope that new signing Aljaž Struna can change their fortunes. He could well be the key offseason signing that the Dynamo desperately require.
On Christmas Eve, the Houston Dynamo announced that they had acquired Slovenian international defender Aljaz “Kiki” Struna, 28, on a full transfer from U.S. Città di Palermo by utilizing Targeted Allocation Money (TAM).
Heading into the offseason, it was clear that strengthening their defense would be an important priority for Senior Vice President/General Manager Matt Jordan and co. This was a fact that Jordan himself acknowledged in the official press release announcing Struna’s arrival:
"“Our top priority this offseason was to strengthen our defense with a key signing at center back, and Aljaz Struna fits the profile we were looking for.”"
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Struna, a long (6′ 2″) center-back who looks more than capable in possession, lacks discipline at times but should have more than enough quality to thrive in Major League Soccer, spent most of his career in the Italian second division. He made 22 appearances in the Serie A. A commanding aerial presence and competent athlete who very rarely loses concentration during the course of ninety minutes, Struna will bolster a center-back unit that struggled immensely last season.
The Piran, Slovenia native also has experience of playing at right-back. This could come in handy for the Dynamo, who’s defense was ravaged by injuries last season. .Expect Aljaz to accompany promising talent Alejandro Fuenmayor in the heart of the defense but also shift into other positions in a pinch.
Wílmer Cabrera will hope that his marquee signing can stay healthy, which he has succeeded in doing so for the majority of his career, and fortify his leaky defense.
In spite of the fact that they have already addressed a large number of their needs, the Dynamo still have a few holes left to fill. In the wake of Andrew Wenger’s retirement, cover for young phenom Alberth Elis would be ideal, and the same could be said for either Romell Quioto and Tomás Martínez.
The Houston Dynamo will hope that Struna’s acquisition, the presence of Juan David Cabezas, and the development of Alejandro Fuenmayor will help to strengthen their defense. If they succeed, expect the Dynamo to feature in the playoffs next season. The defense is what needs help, and Struna could be the key signing to solve it.