Chemistry class in session as opener looms
New faces try to solve scoring woes, but it will take time to fully mesh
As the 2020 season lurched to a conclusion, Dynamo coach Tab Ramos’ loudest message became a broken record.
Over and over again, the first-year boss bemoaned his team’s inability to finish at a high enough rate to win games. The Dynamo created good attacking opportunities but rarely put the ball in the net. They scored six goals in their final seven games — a stretch that saw them go 0-5-2 en route to a last-place finish in the MLS’ Western Conference.
Houston will have a blank slate when the 2021 season kicks off Friday night with a home game against the San Jose Earthquakes at BBVA Stadium, but how soon will those attacking woes be reversed?
Considering the turnover of the attacking players and several other factors — most notably fledgling chemistry — Friday night is likely too soon.
“It's only a few weeks that we have been together,” said forward Fafa Picault, whom the Dynamo bought from FC Dallas in December. “So we have to look at the bigger picture. It is a long season, 34 games. So it is going to take a few real games to get everyone on the same page. We are definitely heading toward the right direction. We have a lot of good pieces to do so.”
Picault is one of the additions Ramos has raved about throughout the offseason. His speed on the wing will go a long way toward replacing what the Dynamo lost when they transferred Alberth Elis to Boavista FC in Portugal. Picault has 24 goals and 14 assists in 107 appearances over the last four seasons.
He’ll likely start beside striker Maxi Urruti, who came to Houston from Montreal in a January trade. With 53 goals and 33 assists in 208 appearances over the last eight seasons, Urruti gives Houston capa ble hold-up play and veteran leadership.
On paper, those two would look appetizing when written on the lineup sheet next to winger Darwin Quintero, who shared the league lead with 10 assists last season. Quintero, however, is not likely to begin the season playing big minutes because Ramos said he is not yet fit.
Ramos said that Quintero, at 33 years old and the team’s only designated player needs more time to reach the same level as his younger teammates.
“If you think about it, five months off is basically like doing your ACL when you’re 35 years old,” Ramos said. “It’s not easy. It’s taken him longer. Sometimes it’s two steps forward and one step back. I think we’ll be able to see the best of him at some point here, and I’m hoping that starting Friday he can help us win the game.”
To win Friday, the Dynamo also will have to carry over their application of Ramos’ high-pressing style, which worked well in Saturday’s preseason finale against FC Dallas. Dallas is one of MLS’ elite teams at playing out of the back but struggled to do so for much of the game.
That’s one of the things that has Houston feeling good heading into Friday’s opener, but whether that yields high goal totals right away remains to be seen.
Ramos said he believes that among Picault, Urruti, Quintero, Tyler Pasher, Ari Lassiter and Christian Ramirez, the Dynamo have enough talent up front. For the time being, however, they’ll have to learn a system that is brand new to some of the team’s best players.
“I think the team is getting better and better in terms of guys getting to know each other and fighting for each other, being in the right spots at the right time,” Ramos said. “I was actually a little bit surprised at how well we pressed in the first 40 minutes (against Dallas). Having so many guys adapt to the way we do things is not easy.”