2023 MLS Regular Season Record: 14W - 9D - 11L
Key Takeaways from 2023
What I said last winter:
I actually didn’t get to previewing the Dynamo… Whoops
What happened:
The Dynamo shook up their roster and brought in a round of new faces from inside and outside the league
Héctor Herrera took 2022 personally and emerged as a premier midfielder in the league — and top Sorare fantasy performer
Post-League’s Cup, they surged, clinching the US Open Cup against Inter Miami, and secured a spot in the 2024 Concacaf Champions’ Cup
Despite the momentum, the season ended in the Western Conference Finals against LAFC
“The Fighting Ben Olsens”
After another lackluster season in 2022, the Dynamo turned to Ben Olsen to steer the club in the right direction. And indeed, he did. After shuffling the roster, the Dynamo recruited Erik Sviatchenko (centre-back) and Amine Bassi (attacking midfielder) from Europe, alongside Artur (central midfielder) and Franco Escobar (left-back) from within the league.
The season started sluggishly at 7W - 5D - 8L before entering the Leagues’ Cup. Injuries sideline Sviatchenko for the first ten matches, followed by designated player and centre-back Teenage Hadebe a month prior to Sviatchenko’s return. Sebastián Ferreira, another designated player, lost his starting role and was eventually loaned out to Vasco de Gama, leaving Héctor Herrera as the sole designated player, and he more than sufficed.
Herrera’s performances placed him in the 95th percentile or higher in assists, shot-creating actions, attempted passes, and progressive passes according to FBRef. He was pivotal, responsible for over two-thirds of corners and free-kick shots.
The Dynamo began the year in a 4-3-3 formation but switched to a 4-2-3-1 in June, experiencing greater success. Houston’s attack showed variability in the 4-3-3 setup. Looking at the chart below, it's evident in their last eleven regular season matches, Houston’s productivity in the final third increased, with Herrera playing an integral role in that success.
The Dynamo ranked sixth highest in Goals - Expected Goals (xG) at +5.3, with most players performing at or above their expected total.
Top over-performers in G - xG include Bassi (10 goals vs. 9.1 xG), Corey Baird (8 goals vs. 7.3 xG), and fan favorite, right-back Griffin Dorsey (3 goalsvs. 0.5 xG).
Possession-wise, Herrera ranked second in attempted passes and third in completions, across the league, and Artur was their most precise passer. The club ranked fourth highest in average accurate long balls per match, with the largest share coming from Herrera (224), Artur (138), and Carrasquilla (115).
Steve Clark occupied the goalkeeping spot for most of this season, saving close to 70 percent of shots. The defense also limited opponents to the fourth-lowest number of shots on target.
Clark finished with a positive post-shot expected goals stat line of +0.8, while Houston overall ended at +1.2.
I really enjoyed watching the Dynamo this season. Houston's investments in roster and strategy earned them well-deserved silverware and qualified them for the Concacaf Champions’ Cup in February.
Their scouting has significantly improved, and I believe their success isn't a coincidence. Both the Dynamo and Atlanta United utilize the same football analytics consulting firm, src|ftbl, resulting in notable successes during recent transfer windows.
The current starting 11 are all set to return with Ferreira also rejoining the club after an unproductive loan.
Top Sorare Fantasy Performers
Goalkeeper: Steve Clark | L15: 51 | 60+ pts games: 15 | Clean sheets: 14 | Penalties saved: 0
Defender: Griffin Dorsey | L15: 50 | 60+ pts games: 10 | Goals: 4 | Assists: 2 | Clean sheets: 6
Midfielder: Héctor Herrera | L15: 73 | 60+ pts games: 28 | Goals: 5 | Assists: 14
Forward: Corey Baird | L15: 46 | 60+ pts games: 15 | Goals: 11 | Assists: 5
Extra: Amine Bassi | L15: 52 | 60+ pts games: 15 | Goals: 13 | Assists: 1
2024 Outlook
Last Updated 2/4/2024
GIF Rating:
Outgoing Players
Ifunanyachi Achara - Centre-forward - Option Declined
Charles Auguste - Central Midfielder - Option Declined
Beto Avila - Centre-forward - Option Declined
Teenage Hadebe - Centre-back - Option Declined (designated player)
Mujeeb Murana - Right-back - Option Declined
Daniel Rios - Attacking Midfielder - Option Declined
Matías Vera - Defensive Midfielder - Option Declined
Iván Franco - Winger - Loan expired
Corey Baird - Centre-forward - Out of Contract
Incoming Players
Sebastián Ferreira - Centre-Forward - Returns from loan (designated player)
Rumor Mill
Denil Maldonado - Centre-back - Would sign as a free agent
Building the Brand
The Dynamo showcased an electrifying atmosphere during the playoff match against Sporting Kansas City, and maintaining that energy will be crucial for their growth. With a solid structure and roster depth, Houston has the foundation but needs to leverage this momentum to elevate its brand.
This is why I’m unsure on how they approach their roster building in 2024, especially because they have an open DP spot. Should they target lesser-known but well-scouted names, or prioritize players who can boost ticket sales?
While Chicharito's signing with Chivas in Liga MX eliminates that option, Carlos Vela stands as another possibility, though seems more likely to retire or go back to Los Angeles than move to the Lone Star state.
Sebastián Ferreira's has returned to Houston and appears to be in the club’s plans for the season. Ferreira was last on loan, and didn’t register a goal or assist during that time.
More important to Houston is that they’ll start the season without Héctor Herrera and Nelson Quiñónes. Quiñónes’ injury is worrisome and hopefully not too long-term. If he is out for a while, I assume Houston will look for a replacement.
To-date Houston haven’t added any new players in the transfer market, which has me wondering what they have in plan for the summer. They have one open designated player spot, and should Ferreira not impress on his return, I wonder if they look for a permanent move.
Overall, Houston seems ready to build upon their 2023 performance, but their first round of Concacaf Champion’s Cup will be tough without Herrera. They open against St. Louis City FC.
Projected Starting Lineup
Without knowing how long Herrera is out for, I’ll leave him on here, but Brooklyn Raines may get minutes to start the year during Herrera’s absence.