The alternate title to this post would be “Dynamo welcome not-Espinoza,” because after team president Chris Canetti announced his team would be acquiring another central midfielder, many hoped Roger Espinoza would be returning to Major League Soccer. After today’s announcement, that thinking proved wishful, with Houston’s acquisition challenging fans to learn a new Honduran import. Having come to a loan agreement with C.D. Olimpia, the Dynamo are bringing World Cup veteran Luis Garrido north.
Garrido, 23, made two appearances for the Catrachos at Brazil 2014, moving into Luis Fernando Suárez’s lineup after Wilson Palacios drew a red card in game one. His second start of the tournament marked his 22nd appearance for Honduras after making his international debut two years ago.
During that time, the defensive midfielder enjoyed a loan spell with Red Star Belgrade, where he helped the former European Champions to second in the Serbian SuperLiga. After returning to Honduras last summer, Garrido resumed his place in Olimpia’s midfield, helping the Lions hold fellow Honduran titans Marathón scoreless over two legs of May’s final.
“He has a good amount of bite in the middle of the field, good energy and is a good passer of the ball,” Houston head coach Dominic Kinnear said, via the club’s website. “We have watched him for a few years in the CONCACAF Champions League and World Cup qualifiers, and he showed well in the World Cup. We think he is a player that will fit in with the way we play and it a good opportunity to bring him here.”
The move reunites Garrido with Olimpia alumni Boniek Garcia and Alexander Lopez, but with former U.S. international Ricardo Clark established in central midfield, Garrido’s fit could prove precarious. Though Clark had great success playing above Adam Moffat when he rejoined Houston two years ago, his former partner’s departure led to more time in his accustomed holding role. Though Kinnear has always been high on Clark’s ability to contribute going forward, this move may force those hopes to come to fruition.
Given how Houston’s defense has performed this season, it’s a sacrifice the coach may need to make. Though the David Horst-Jermaine Taylor pairing in central defense showed promise in March, the duo’s been unable to prevent the Dynamo from conceding a league-worst 40 goals. With injuries (to themselves as well as Clark) also hindering the team, Houston may be moving to two defensive options in the midfield.
Of course, this all assumes Garrido actually plays. His World Cup experience, as well as Kinnear’s recommendation, hints he should, but only 23 years old, Garrido may need time to adjust to Major League Soccer.
He also may have to battle for time in a talented midfield. As Canetti said in today’s announcement, the team sees itself as loaded in the middle.
“We think Luis will be an important player for us,” Canetti explained. “With Brad (Davis), Boniek (García), DaMarcus (Beasley), Rico (Clark) and Luis we now have five players with World Cup experience in the midfield.”
Perhaps that means one player will end up on the bench. Or maybe Beasley will slot in at left back. Could we see the return of the 4-3-3 formation Kinnear tried two years ago? Or maybe Brad Davis could end up playing behind a striker in a 4-2-3-1?
Over the last two days, Houston’s acquired more options. Now Kinnear has the flexibility to change things up. With Houston ninth in the East, new players need to provide new solutions.
