While we all keep close tabs on Thierry Henry’s retirement plans, on the U.S. national team big-timers and how much time they might miss in upcoming MLS matters, on the high-profile D.C. United rebuild, on Jermain Defoe and other namey name scorers … the Houston Dynamo will quietly go about its humble business.
And in October, playoff previews will once again include the Houston Dynamo.
The club never seems to make terribly big personnel news. Rather, it makes personnel news in smaller, more modest increments.
They add a quality player – but maybe not one that’s going to make the average soccer fan run to tell the neighbors about. They draft and develop, as well, as a season or two of practices under Dominic Kinnear drives home the good tenets of smart, team play.
So we should be smart about it and take note when spotting a story like this, one alerting that talks are ongoing on contract extensions for forward Will Bruin and right back Kofi Sarkodie. That’s according to Dynamo president Chris Canetti.
No, Bruin (pictured) won’t make the United States national team’s World Cup roster, although he has spent some time in Jurgen Klinsmann’s national team camps over the last two years. But at the end of 2014, barring injuries, he’ll have 10-12 goals, not bad at all for a fourth year striker of relatively modest wages.
Sarkodie keeps getting better and better, now into the top half of MLS right backs. And with a full season of starts behind him (in 2013), he should have the confidence and the ability to begin merging into the top five at his position.
We talk a lot about the Tim Cahills and Robbie Keanes and such. And we should. But in terms of building a quality, balanced team, figures like Bruin and Sarkodi are quite important, too.
