Back in hometown, Alvarez will fill a key role
Because he is from Houston, Arturo Alvarez already was going to be a Dynamo fan favorite in 2018.
With news of the role coach Wilmer Cabrera intends for him to play, Alvarez may become beloved for something else, too.
Speaking at the Dynamo’s media day Tuesday, Cabrera said Alvarez will take over for retired midfielder Vicente Sanchez, who provided a big spark off the bench in 2017.
Sanchez had a handful of great moments in the final third of last season — none bigger than the individual effort he made that led to an assist in extra time of the knockout round game against Sporting Kansas City that gave the Dynamo a 1-0 victory.
Like Sanchez, Alvarez already has used his left foot to do great things this preseason. He could get his first chance to do it in a game that counts when the Dynamo play host to Atlanta United FC at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at BBVA Compass Stadium.
“(Alvarez’s) left foot is unbelievable,” Cabrera said. “Throughout his career, he has proven that he is a difference maker on the field. Last year, we had Vicente Sanchez, who is a lefty and a different type of player. … Arturo is skillful and very talented, and he can create things we cannot create with other players.”
Alvarez attended high school at St Thomas before transferring to Mayde Creek. He went straight into MLS after he graduated.
After the 2011 season, he moved on from the United States and played in Portugal and Hungary. He returned to MLS in 2016 and played for the Chicago Fire.
The Dynamo acquired him in a trade in December. Alvarez has appeared in 237 games over 11 MLS seasons. He has 32 goals and 30 assists.
“We are lucky to have him,” Cabrera said. “Not only is he a very talented player, but he is from this city. He’s excited to come back and to play for this team. It’s something he was dreaming of.”
Team still hopeful of sellout for opener
With four days remaining before the season kicks off, the Dynamo remain hopeful that Saturday’s home opener will sell out.
Club president Chris Canetti said Tuesday that ticket sales are ahead of where they were last year at this time for the opener.
The Dynamo play host to Atlanta United, one of the league’s most hyped-teams.
In its debut season last year, Atlanta United was second in the league with 70 goals in 34 regular season games. Atlanta has reinforced its attack for 2018 with several acquisitions, including the signing of 18-year old Argentinian midfielder Ezequiel Barco for an MLS record $15 million.
Beasley replaces Clark as captain
With nearly two decades of playing experience, DaMarcus Beasley has been a lot of things. This season, he’ll repeat something from his recent past: Dynamo captain.
A veteran of four FIFA World Cups, the 35-year old Beasley will take over the captaincy from the departed Ricardo Clark.
Beasley previously served as captain in 2016, when Wade Barrett took over as interim coach after the firing of Owen Coyle.
Beasley often fields questions about how much longer he intends to play. He always says he doesn’t know for sure, but Tuesday, he added one caveat when someone asked him if he thinks he’ll keep playing until he is 40.
“Noooooo, noooooo. Definitely not. 40? No. I don’t think so,” Beasley said. “I’m just taking it year by year. My legs feel fine. I’ll be the first one to hold up my hand when my legs don’t go anymore. When I feel like I can’t compete at this level and I’m not helping the team, then I’ll be the first one to stop.”