Toronto brings star power to match with Dynamo
Perhaps the most obvious thing that stands out about the Dynamo this season is that they lack a dynamic playmaker who consistently makes opposing defenses feel the heat.
This weekend’s opponent is as far away as possible from that description. Toronto FC has superstars in abundance.
Led by reigning MLS MVP Sebastian Giovinco, Toronto FC (10-7-6) will bring three high-dollar players with it to BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday night as it looks to extend its four-game winning streak that has it one point off the top of the Eastern Conference table.
Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore are among the most familiar names for fans of the United States National Team. When healthy they have been regular starters.
The player who makes it all possible is Giovinco, the 29-year old Italian who has been lifting lids off defenses since he came to the league at the start of last season. He had 22 goals and 16 assists last year and is well on his way to matching those totals with 15 goals and 10 assists so far this season.
During Toronto’s current four-game winning streak he has seven goals and three assists, including two hat tricks.
“He is a special player,” Dynamo interim coach Wade Barrett said. “He makes a lot of good things happen. He does a lot on his own. He also makes the other guys around him better. They’ve had a really good run the last couple of games. It has not just been him. The rest of the team has looked really good as well.”
Bradley returned to the field last weekend after missing six weeks due to a knee injury suffered during Copa America Centenario. He played all 90 minutes and had one assist.
Altidore has appeared in the last four Toronto matches after missing Copa America due to a hamstring injury. In his last 97 minutes - all three second-half subs - he has two goals (on four shots) and one assist.
Those types of offensive numbers dwarf the output the Dynamo (4-10-8) have had over the last 12 games against MLS opponents since Barrett took charge of the team. Houston has scored nine goals in those games. The Dynamo have scored two in their last seven games overall.
The front office has recognized the team’s void in the attack and signed youngsters Yair Arboleda and Jose Escalante on short-term loans to see if they can help. Those two, along with recent signee defender Keyner Brown, should be eligible to play Saturday.
With their newness to the club and the fact the Dynamo still hold onto hope that they can make a run at the playoffs, there is no guarantee they will feature on a regular basis.
Barrett is sticking to the approach he has had since day one. He wants to see hard work, commitment to details and production in training before writing them into the lineup.
“Of course you want to get a good look at them, but you don’t look at people just to look,” Barrett said. “You have to earn your spot in the group. Those guys know that coming in. They know the work they do during the week will earn them minutes on the weekend.”
If Houston goes into Saturday’s match without the willingness to use any of the new players it will not change their expectations. Despite the 1-3-6 league record under Barrett the team has looked competitive in most games.
Still, with Toronto boasting so much talent and seemingly in top form, the Dynamo might have to find an extra gear Saturday.
“We’re playing at home. We have to use that to our advantage,” Barrett said. “We have to come out with a committed effort on our end, which the guys have been giving every single time we take the field. I don’t expect anything less.”