After beginning the season with just a single goal in their first four games, until a three-goal burst in 13 minutes gave them a victory in their last game in Colorado, Houston Dynamo used their week off to address their attack in more ways than one.
There was certainly work on the training ground, but there was roster movement as well, as the club last week dealt Alejandro Moreno to the Columbus Crew for Joseph Ngwenya.
The trade is an exchange of forwards, but the Dynamo will miss Moreno, who started for the Crew in their 1-1 draw with Chivas USA over the weekend. Ngwenya is expected to be in uniform when Dynamo travel north of the border to face Toronto FC on Wednesday night.
"It was a very difficult decision," said Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear. "When I talked to him (Moreno) on the phone, it was like a minute-and-a-half conversation, and I thanked him for everything and wished him the best. But, I mean, what else do you say? You feel terrible. The guy has to move his family. It's a tough position to be in."
The trade came together last week on a call by Columbus coach Sigi Schmid, who had always liked Moreno and had him under his tutelage for three seasons with the Los Angeles Galaxy. Kinnear has been interested in Ngwenya for a while.
But, to make the deal was difficult for Kinnear because Moreno was one of his most trusted players. Kinnear often referred to Moreno as a "workhorse." Ngwenya will bring another dimension to the Dynamo through his speed.
"I think with Ngwenya, one thing he's known around the league is his pace," Kinnear said. "When we played Columbus, he gave us trouble."
A native of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, Ngwenya started his MLS career with the Galaxy in 2004. During his stay there, he scored four goals and added two assists. He was traded to Columbus in 2006, where he scored four goals and distributed three assists. The Coastal Carolina University alumnus holds various records at his alma mater, among them career goals (63) and points (157).
Moreno, on the other hand, was an important part in Houston's historic run to the MLS Cup title last year. The five-year MLS veteran was third on the team with 21 shots on goal. He also had two game-winning goals and one game-winning assist. Throughout his career, which has spanned stints with the Los Angeles Galaxy and the San Jose Earthquakes, Moreno has scored 23 goals and tallied 16 assists.
Dynamo forward Dwayne De Rosario said that the trade was beneficial to both parties because it gives the Orange a threat of speed up top, and at the same time it gives Moreno the chance to play.
"I think he's going to a good situation there because he'll be playing," De Rosario said. "He provides veteran leadership and is a good holder of the ball. Any time you've shared the locker room with someone for a long time, it's tough to see him go, especially when it's a true professional on and off the field like Alejandro."
With the deal, Houston has made two deals so far this season after acquiring Richard Mulrooney from Toronto FC last month. Whether there are more deals on the way, Kinnear doesn't know.
"You know, that's the thing. You never know," Kinnear said. "We are always looking for ways to make the team better."
As for this trade, Kinnear had nothing but good things to say about Moreno, as well as Dynamo's newest player.
"We think the world of Alejandro and wish him the best with his new team," Kinnear said. "At the same time, we are excited about bringing Joseph in, as we feel he will add a great dose of danger, athleticism and depth to our offense."
Jeremy Rakes is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
