Houston Dynamo 2023 MLS season preview: Tactics, predicted XI, predictions
By Chris Smith
The Houston Dynamo head into 2023 looking to return to the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2017.
New head coach Ben Olsen has been busy strengthening his roster, making additions in key areas in the hope of hardening Houston's weak underbelly and giving them more bite in attack.
It's going to be a tough ask for the Dynamo in such a competitive Western Conference, but anything can happen in Major League Soccer and no team can be written off.
So, here's everything you need to know about the Houston Dynamo ahead of the new MLS season, including tactics, key players, and predictions.
How did Houston Dynamo perform in 2022?
- Regular season: 13th in Western Conference
- MLS Cup Playoffs: Didn't qualify
- US Open Cup: Round-of-16
Houston Dynamo transfer activity
Transfers in
Player | Former Club | Fee |
|---|---|---|
Amine Bassi | FC Metz | $1.6m |
Artur | Columbus Crew | Free transfer |
Brad Smith | DC United | Free transfer |
Franco Escobar | LAFC | Free transfer |
Andrew Tarbell | Austin FC | Free transfer |
Charles Auguste | CU Bluejays | Free transfer |
Ifunanyachi Achara | Toronto FC | Draft |
Frantz Pierrot | UConn Huskies | Draft |
Ivan Franco | Libertad | Loan |
Djevencio van der Kust | FC Utrecht | Loan |
Transfers out
Player | Club Joined | Fee |
|---|---|---|
Tim Parker | St. Louis CITY SC | $500k |
Adam Lundqvist | Austin FC | $500k |
Fafa Picault | Nashville SC | $250k |
Memo Rodriguez | LAFC | Free transfer |
Zeca | EC Vitoria | Free transfer |
Joe Corona | San Diego Loyal | Free transfer |
Zarek Valentin | Minnesota United | Free transfer |
Marcelo Palomino | AFC Eskilstuna | Free transfer |
Darwin Quintero | CD America | Free transfer |
Darwin Ceren | CD Aguila | Free transfer |
Frantz Pierrot | Athlone Town | Free transfer |
Matias Vera | Argentinos Juniors | Loan |
Mateo Bajamich | Estudiantes RC | Loan |
Sam Junqua | - | Released |
Ian Hoffmann | - | Released |
Ben Olsen: Tactics and style of play
Olsen switched regularly between three and four-at-the-back systems toward the end of his long reign as DC United head coach, while at the end of last season, the Dynamo mainly used 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 shapes.
Based on what the Dynamo currently have available, we're expecting a 4-2-3-1 system that'll likely see Hector Herrera and Adalberto Carrasquilla provide the platform with and without the ball, while new signing Amine Bassi will try to connect with the wingers and star forward Sebastian Ferreira.
The Dynamo actually look quite healthy at full-back, too, with the additions of Franco Escobar, Djevencio van der Kust and, when back fit, Brad Smith, so you can expect some width and dynamism in that area, too.
Houston Dynamo predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Clark; Escobar, Hadebe, Steres, Van der Kust; Herrera, Carrasquilla; Baird, Ferreira, Franco.
Who is Houston Dynamo's key player?
Hector Herrera
Sebastian Ferreira is the attacking focal point of this team, but so much depends on the performances of Hector Herrera.
Houston made a big deal of the Mexico international's arrival from Atletico Madrid last year but so far, he's not hit the heights, with his form also suffering for El Tri at the World Cup.
However, nobody is in doubt about Herrera's level of talent and if he finds his best form, he could provide the Dynamo with a midfield engine capable of plugging gaps and providing attacking thrust in equal measure.
Houston Dynamo 2023 season prediction
On paper, the Dynamo look much stronger than last season in a number of key areas. However, a number of questions remain:
- Can the host of new arrivals gel in time?
- Can Ben Olsen prove himself after a very mixed decade with DC United?
- Can the Dynamo bring the fans back onside to give the players a boost at home?
Right now, there doesn't appear to be a convincing answer to any of those. Expect a more competitive side, but there are just too many stars that need to align this season to suggest the Dynamo will return to the Playoffs.
Will the Houston Dynamo qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs? No