Houston Dynamo: 5 Key Questions Heading Into Training Camp

Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports

3. How do the Dynamo make maximum use of the quality they possess at center midfield?

The Dynamo are blessed with a number of options in the center of the pitch, perhaps too many. Playing time will largely be dictated by the type of formation Dom Kinnear sets out. Last season the Dynamo typically played a defensive oriented 4-4-2, with first Adam Moffat and then Warren Creavalle filling the defensive midfielder spot while Ricardo Clark, a defensive midfielder himself, played in a more advanced role. Clark had the best goal scoring tally of his career notching 4 during the regular season, however he failed to provide the quality distribution that would be expected of a more advanced central midfielder. Servando Carrasco, a defensive midfielder acquired from Seattle in the Moffat trade, looked good in his appearances last season and could see additional playing time in the middle.

Fans have hankered for a more attacking style featuring a traditional central attacking midfielder. Alex Lopez, Giles Barnes and Tony Cascio, recently loaned by the Colorado Rapids, provide this option. Lopez, signed as a young designated player from C.D. Olimpia of Honduras last season, is a particularly intriguing player who should see more playing time this season. After filling in admirably at forward last season, slotting Barnes in at his more familiar attacking midfielder role could result in him making that next step towards being a genuine MLS star.

The depth at center midfield could dictate that the Dynamo switch to a variation of the 4-5-1 in order to more fully utilize the options that they have at this spot.  In any event, determining the formation and starters during camp will play a key role in the Dynamo outlook for 2014.