What lies ahead for the Houston Dynamo?

Although no team would turn down the opportunity to play in the MLS Cup Final, the price of success means a shorter window to make adjustments to the squad for the next season. Now that the off-season has begun (and it began with a flurry of moves on the west coast), Dominic Kinnear and his staff must turn their attention to the 2013 Houston Dynamo squad.

The Houston Chronicle's Jesus Ortiz mentioned a few players who could leave the Dynamo via free agency this off-season.

Over the next two weeks, two drafts will take place during which the Dynamo can add players to the squad. On Friday, December 7 MLS will hold Stage 1 of the 2012 Re-Entry Draft. A player is eligible for the Re-Entry Draft under the following circumstances:

• Players who are at least 23 years old, have a minimum of three years of MLS experience, and whose options were not exercised by their clubs (available at option salary for 2013).
• Players who are at least 25 years old, have a minimum of four years of MLS experience, were out of contract, and whose club did not offer them a contract at their previous salary (available at 2012 salary).
• Players who are at least 30 years old, have a minimum of eight years of MLS experience, were out of contract, and whose club did not wish to re-sign them (available for at least 105 percent of their 2012 salary).

For any eligible player that was not selected in Stage 1 of the Re-Entry Draft, they will be available in Stage 2, which will be held Friday, December 14. Any team who drafts a player in Stage 2 must negotiate a new salary with that player.

Teams are not required to select any player in the Re-Entry Draft. Each draft is two rounds. If a team passes on their pick they are done for the remainder of that stage.

Also, a player may opt out of participating in the Re-Entry Draft and have his rights retained by his current club. Last year, Dynamo defender Bobby Boswell opted out of Stage 1 of the Re-Entry Draft and was re-signed by the Dynamo.