The Houston Dynamo FC lineup experiment featuring team captain Boniek Garcia continues. But through synergy, it’s starring other players.
The position experiment is about over making Houston Dynamo FC team captain Boniek Garcia a hybrid midfielder-defender. That’s because the experiment graduated into an official tactical choice for the club to better their chances against specific opponents.
By scouting reports, Garcia plays the position competently and steadily. He’s better than average at either defender or his natural defensive midfielder spot. The game reports don’t guarantee him a Hall of Fame spot. But the level of play certainly is worthy of a team captain.
Yet in the Dynamo’s latest win at home last week against Sporting Kansas City, this lineup opened up lanes on either side of the pitch. This eventually allowed a career performance for newly acquired midfielder Derrick Jones.
The Dynamo also recently went to play FC Dallas. In that game, Garcia didn’t start. The experiment was abandoned and the game ended in a draw.
In this latest game at home, head coach Tab Ramos didn’t play Garcia the entire game but kept him in for the first half. The defensive screen for the home team didn’t buckle.
Defender Maynor Figueroa took over on the backline. But the offensive momentum that built up over the first 45 minutes came to fruition in the second half. Of course, the defensive flavoring remained.
The offensive explosion after the 50th minute caught Sporting Kansas City by surprise. Midfielder Derrick Jones caught up with the ball in the attacking half. He took possession after a tackle.
He moved the ball with an effortless-looking gait near the box, passing to forward Maximiliano Urruti. The forward finished putting the ball into the net in the 56th minute.
All Dynamo players put their stamp onto this offensive-oriented 4-3-3. So Jones’s assist went to the only goal they needed. But that wasn’t the only thing that made this the finest MLS game of his career.
Jones joined the Dynamo squad to create chances. He used the Dynamo game plan established in the first half as a framework to do just that.
Besides his assist, he got in five tackles, four dribbles and was the leader, by far, in possession.
The Dynamo traded Nashville SC to get Jones on their pitch. He had played more of an attacking role in 18 appearances with the expansion club.
Houston didn’t have to scout very hard to uncover the broad range of talents Jones has. He is a youth international who worked under current Dynamo head coach Tab Ramos.
With Jones in the midfield, Boniek Garcia can flex his defender muscle more. And with the evolving lineups of the Dynamo, Derrick Jones can open up lanes and get the ball where forwards can direct it toward the goal.
It only gets better from here.