With the summer transfer window set to open June 27, one of the hottest commodities in MLS looks to be Houston Dynamo defender Geoff Cameron.
Reports during this past Saturday’s broadcast of the Texas Derby – a 2-1 win over FC Dallas – claimed that three clubs, Schalke 04 of the German Bundesliga and English Premier league clubs Everton and Stoke City, were at BBVA Compass Stadium for the game to scout the multi-talented defender.
But while his international profile is rising and the attention seems to be ramping up, Cameron is focused on keeping his head down and focusing on what he can control: playing soccer for the Houston Dynamo.
“I did hear about it after the fact,” Cameron said of being watched by the scouts and a possible international move. “I’m trying to stay focused and play [in Houston] right now. I’m here with the Dynamo and I’m here in Houston and I love playing for [Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear] and playing here, but if it happens it happens.”
In the Saturday’s match, Cameron’s first appearance since coming back from international duty for the Dynamo, the US international showed his wares at both central defense and in the midfield once Houston gained a man advantage after Jair Benítez’s 63rd-minute red card. Unbeknownst to him, he was auditioning for international scouts.
That is part of the process, and both he and his agent – former Glasgow Rangers midfielder John Davies – would rather it stay that way.
“My agent doesn’t tell me this kind of stuff and says, ‘Just play your game and I’ll take care of my job,’” Cameron said about how he is dealing with the process. “He’s been through it as a player and knows there’s a lot of pressure when teams are watching and he thinks I’m better off like this.
“I don’t ask him much and don’t really talk about that. I don’t really want to know that process.”
While Cameron is distancing himself from the process, it is no surprise teams are interested in the 6-foot-3 center back. The 26-year-old’s unique skill set – especially on the ball – is sure to attract more interest along the lines of what he got on Saturday night.
“Geoff’s a top player and we’ve heard through the grapevine that some clubs in Europe are interested,” Dynamo executive Chris Canetti told MLSsoccer.com. “We certainly wouldn’t be surprised if some teams knocked on our door about him but, at this point, no formal offers or inquiries have been made.”
Darrell Lovell covers the Houston Dynamo for MLSsoccer.com.
