On the eve of the opening of the club's tenth season (Saturday at 7:30 p.m. vs. Columbus Crew, TICKETS), vice president/general manager Matt Jordan offered a review of his first preseason after joining the Houston Dynamo last November. Preseason wins don’t earn any points for regular season, but the Dynamo went 4-2-1 against professional competition over the six-week training camp. The club built some momentum for the regular season with wins in its last two preseason games – 2-1 over New York City FC and 3-0 against Orlando City SC – to claim the 2015 Carolina Challenge Cup over the two MLS expansion clubs and the host Charleston Battery.
“The preseason has been very productive for the team,” Jordan said. “It’s always rewarding to see a new group come together with a new coaching staff, new players and a returning core of veterans. The coaching staff has done a very good job preparing the team and the players have shown an outstanding level of commitment from day one of camp. There is a very good energy around the team right now and we’re looking forward to the challenge ahead.”
Houston’s only preseason defeats came against third-tier USL clubs, a 1-0 defeat against the Austin Aztex on Feb. 18 and a 1-0 setback against the Battery three days later in the first game in South Carolina. In addition to results, Jordan and the technical staff were focused on building a strong fitness level within the players.
“Preseason is about building a good base level of fitness and getting sharp individually and as a team. Of course every time we step on the field we want to win but with preseason it’s important to steadily improve, which we’ve done. The MLS season is a marathon not a sprint.”
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The core of last season’s back line returns in 2015, including Kofi Sarkodie, DaMarcus Beasley, Corey Ashe, Jermaine Taylor, David Horst and AJ Cochran. The group was supplemented with Spanish center back Raul Rodriguez and two draft picks: Oumar Ballo and Taylor Hunter. The defensive group conceded only six goals in eight preseason games, and Jordan emphasized the importance of defending with all 11 players.
“We have a good group that is very committed to working on both sides of the ball. It’s not about one attacker or one defender carrying the load, it’s about the team’s will to sacrifice for one another. One thing I can assure you is there are no easy games at this level. We know that when we sacrifice as a group we can ‘stand toe to toe with anyone in the league’ as Owen would say.”
The Dynamo signed all four 2015 draft picks in late February, the first time the club has signed four selections in one draft class. Houston’s 27-man roster now includes 10 players acquired through the draft, and Jordan is confident in the range of the group.
“We feel good about the makeup of the team. We have a good core of veterans and talented up-and-coming players. We feel a player’s quality on the field is just as important as a player’s willingness to work for the team. The Dynamo has always been about the group and a team-first philosophy, and that’s not going to change”
The 2015 draft picks and other young players on the team could spend parts of this season on loan with the Charleston Battery, the club’s new USL affiliate. The technical staff is still working to finalize the group of approximately four players that will open the season with the Battery in early April.
“There are a lot of moving parts that factor into a player going out on loan but ultimately it’s all about timing and form. One thing I can assure you is whether it’s in Houston or in Charleston, every time our guys step on the field it matters and it’s an opportunity to send a message. The Battery are an established organization that have a proven track record of helping players develop and contribute at the MLS level. Maybe it has to do with the fact that I played in the USL at different points in my career, but in my eyes there is something to be said for a player ‘making his bones’ in the second division to show how hungry he is to succeed in MLS."
One storyline entering preseason camp was the battle for the starting goalkeeper position between Dynamo veteran Tyler Deric and newcomer Joe Willis. Both players are 26 years old and share similar levels of experience in MLS, CONCACAF Champions League and U.S. Open Cup play. The pair have shared the minutes in goal this preseason and present two quality options for head coach Owen Coyle this season.
“Competition for spots is important not only in goal but throughout the entire team. We believe competition is how we’ll find success and get the most out of ourselves. I know that as a player competition helped me get more out of myself. We are pleased with the healthy competition in every spot throughout the team.”
