Full return of Ellis, Quioto anticipated
Alberth Elis and Romell Qu io to are close to returning to the form Dynamo coach Wilmer Cabrera wants before he puts them back into the starting lineup.
That means the Dynamo are close to returning to the team with one of MLS’ most potent attacks. The next chance for that to happen is Saturday night, when the Dynamo play host to the San Jose Earthquakes at BBVA Compass Stadium.
“They’ re really important for us when they’re physically and mentally 100 percent,” Cabrera said. “When they’re 100 percent, they’ve been outstanding for us.”
Outstanding may be an understatement — atleast in describing the difference in the Dynamo attack with and without them on the field.
A clear improvement
Elis averages one goal or assist every 110 minutes. Quioto averages one goal or assist every 118 minutes. When the Honduran wingers start the same game, the Dynamo are 4-1. When they do not, the Dynamo are 6-66.
When Elis and Quioto are in the game at the same time, the Dynamo score one goal every 29 minutes. When neither of them or only one is on the field, the Dynamo score one goal every 65 minutes.
It is a testament to the danger the combination of their speed and athleticism pose to opposing defenses and how much that forces opponents to keep a couple of extra players back on defense.
Last weekend’s 0-0 draw with Real Salt Lake was a perfect example of that. Andrew Wenger and Memo Rodriguez started on the wings in the Dynamo’s 4-33 formation. While they have been solid over the last month and a half, they do not boast the speed of Elis and Quioto.
Knowing its defenders were likely not going to lose a foot race, Real Salt Lake pushed numbers forward in search of a goal. With as many as eight players to defend, the Dynamo struggled to keep the ball. As a result, Real Salt Lake took 21 shots — more than any Dynamo opponent this season.
The Dynamo may not have conceded a goal, but they also did not give themselves as good of an opportunity to score one of their own.
Lacking consistency
Elis and Quioto were healthy enough to play last weekend, but Cabrera did not trust that they were well enough recovered from being overworked during Gold Cup duty with the Honduran national team.
It is an extension of the problem that has plagued
the two all season. They started the first three games, but then Quioto injured his shoulder in a World Cup Qualifier. In the 20 games since then, they have started the same game twice, with Elis picking up a hamstring injury not long after the return from those World Cup Qualifiers.
“When they’re injured or they’ve been away, it is difficult to get the rhythm,” Cabrera said. “…It is a disruption for us. We have to be sure they have enough rest, recovery and that their mentality is coming back. Then we can use them.
“When we get that, they leave again, so it is part of our job to manage the best way possible, but also to be sure that we get the best out of them.”
It has been two games since Quioto and Elis returned from Gold Cup duty. El is sub bed into both games, while Quioto subbed into one. The Dynamo hope they both can return to the starting XI sooner than later.
“They have been good. They have been working,” Cabrera said. “Now it is a matter of being sure they are 100 percent and we can count on them in all aspects.”