Houston Dynamo: Two new players provide pieces for greater performance
Houston Dynamo recently signed two players to power up their attack
Houston Dynamo plans to accelerate the team’s attack and counter-attack with forward Ariel Lassiter and midfielder Wilfried Zahibo. Ariel Lassiter was one of the Costa Rican players showing on the radar of Bruce Arena’s scouts for LA Galaxy. In 2015, he came to the LA Galaxy and made significant contributions to the USL and MLS sides.
He first showed on Houston Dynamo radar during Lassiter’s one year of college soccer. During that time he played for Houston Dynamo Academy Director Paul Holocher. Dynamo acquired Lassiter’s rights from the LA Galaxy. The team also acquire him on loan for the season from LD Alajuelense. If he’s as good as scouts hope, the team will exercise an option to make the transfer permanent.
Making good on that promise means Lassiter must score. Scouts rated highly as a shooter. He’s recognized for shooting and passing with either foot. Wilfried Zahibo also brings promise to the Houston Dynamo effort. He’s an accomplished defensive midfielder. His scouting report praises his effectiveness in aerial duels and tackling. His strong vision shows his preference for playing long balls.
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Dynamo senior vice president and general manager Matt Jordan also recognizes Zahibo’s ability to cover ground. The team acquired Zahibo from the New England Revolution. In his July game against Philadelphia Union, he won five aerials.
In his best recent game for the team, a win against Chicago Fire, he played all 90 minutes. He posted five tackles, four more aerials, three interceptions, and five tackles.
Houston Dynamo didn’t seek Zahibo for scoring ability or even passing. In those areas, he is weak. But he has the aggressive qualities necessary to disrupt opponents’ attacks. Then he has the outstanding ability to get the ball and dribble past the opposition.
From that position, it’s expected that Zahibo will get the ball to someone who has greater skills to pass, cross, and score. That’s where Lassiter and the established strikers on the Dynamo roster come in. That roster includes forwards Darwin Quintero, Alberth Elis, Niko Hanson, and Christian Ramirez. They recently contributed to the team’s franchise-history 5-2 victory over Sporting Kansas City. That’s the most scored by the club on the road and it was the first win for new head coach Tab Ramos.
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Lassiter and Zahibo come to the roster at a great time to push Houston Dynamo to a new performance plateau. They can push through this disrupted season into the next – a new era for the Dynamo and MLS.