Before the first match of the season, Houston Dynamo head coach Wilmer Cabrera hinted that everyone on the team had to be ready to play their part during the season. A mixture of injuries and international absences have given him some early looks at that depth after the first month of play.
Goalkeeper Joe Willis (right knee) has been out since late preseason and defenders Agus (left hamstring) and George Malki (left ACL), midfielder Juan David Cabezas (concussion), and forward Romell Quioto (dislocated shoulder) have since joined him on the injury list. Even with those injuries and regular starters DaMarcus Beasley and Alberth Elis operating as substitutes after international duty, the Dynamo continued their hot start with a 4-1 win over the New York Red Bulls.
“The depth of the team has been positive,” said Cabrera. “We see different players, but our mentality, our intensity and our tactics don’t change. If we don’t change, that’s going to be good. They all have to bring the reasons why they’re here. Today was very positive for us, so we have to have depth in our team."
Six players have featured in the starting 11 in all four of the Dynamo’s matches this season: Tyler Deric, Adolfo Machado, A.J. DeLaGarza, Ricardo Clark, Alex and Erick Torres. Two of the players who earned their first starts of the season last Saturday were forwards Mauro Manotas and Andrew Wenger, last season’s top goal scorers.
“Mauro did very well,” Cabrera said after Saturday’s result. “He is a goal scorer and he kept insisting, keeping the goalie busy. That also helps Erick, because it keeps the defenders busy with other players. The same happened with Andrew, he generated opportunities, which makes that everyone can have opportunities.”
The defense has also seen new faces in the lineup with Jalil Anibaba, a constant contributor in 2016, getting his first start of the season last Saturday and newcomer Dylan Remick, who has now featured in three games this season. Remick also got his first career MLS goal on Saturday with the tying tally against New York.
“I am really excited to be here,” Remick said after training on Tuesday. “Really happy to be able to contribute in any way to this team. Obviously, a goal helps, but the wins are all the more important. This team is doing really well, so I am happy to be part of it."
The depth of this team has been molded by the internal competition instilled by Cabrera and his coaching staff. Cabrera has stressed several times already this season that the opportunities to contribute will be there, and that players have to be prepared to seize them.
“That’s the goal,” said Cabrera. “Whether it be five minutes, 70 minutes, 90 minutes — they need to come in and play with confidence. The important thing is that they are confident because they have the support of their teammates and coaching staff.”
