It's hard to believe, but the Dynamo training camp opens this Friday. That's right, the 2008 season is about to get underway. It seems like yesterday when the Dynamo were raising their second-straight MLS Cup at RFK Stadium. Being the champs brought celebration and notoriety, but it didn't exclude the Dynamo from having the typical off-season issues.
In the 10 weeks since the '07 MLS Cup, Dominic Kinnear and the front office have been addressing such issues in an effort to bring home another MLS title. The busy off-season has been highlighted by several personnel moves, a draft, and some remaining question marks.
Here is a look at the highlights:
• The Dynamo lost starting defender Ryan Cochrane to the San Jose Earthquakes in the MLS Expansion Draft creating a void in the most productive backline in MLS history (the '07 defense surrendered an MLS record low of 23 goals).
• The Dynamo traded back-up goalkeeper Zach Wells and a 2009 draft pick to DC United for defender Bobby Boswell. Boswell, a former MLS All-Star, Defender of the Year and US National Team player, adds immediate defensive help in the wake of Cochrane's departure.
• The Dynamo announced a three-year contract extension with Kinnear, locking up the team's manager through 2010.
• The Dynamo re-signed three key components in Brian Mullan, Pat Onstad, and Craig Waibel.
• The Dynamo retained assistant coach John Spencer after he was courted for the open head job in Chicago.
• The Dynamo waived reserve forward Paul Dalglish. Dalglish, a Scottish international, suffered through an injury-plagued season and saw his role diminish.
• The Dynamo selected six college players in the MLS Super Draft and Supplemental Draft.
• The Dynamo lost forwards Joe Ngwenya and Nate Jaqua. Ngwenya used his free agent status to sign with an Austria 2nd Division club and Jaqua signed in Austria as well. The loss leaves the Dynamo searching for help up top.
• The Dynamo signed English goalkeeper Tony Caig as a replacement to Zach Wells. Caig, a 33 year-old veteran, brings a wealth of experience to the club after a career that included a stop in the English Premier League at New Castle.
It's been a pretty productive off-season for the defending champs. Heading into camp, the they appear poised for another great season. They have consistency in the coaching ranks with Kinnear and Spencer. Along with the re-signing of Mullan, Onstad and Waibel, they have kept the nucleus in tact including players like Wade Barrett, Eddie Robinson, Richard Mulrooney, Brad Davis, Dwayne DeRosario, Ricardo Clark, and Brian Ching. The acquisitions of Boswell and Caig addressed critical off-season needs.
"It's been a hectic few months," said Dynamo COO Chris Canetti. "Although we are a very strong team, we still had some issues to address during the off-season. We locked up our coaching staff, signed some key veterans and addressed some positional needs. It's been productive, but we are always looking at ways to improve. We still have some work to do in order to be where we want to be this season."
The loss of Ngwenya and Jaqua have the Dynamo in need of a striker or two. How the team addresses this issue will be a key factor in its success this season. Ngwenya and Jaqua were critical to the Dynamo's run last year.
"We are disappointed that Joe and Nate have left," said Canetti. "We are working several different angles to address this issue and are confident that we will put the right pieces together."
With camp upon us, fans can turn their attention to the field while keeping their eye on the Dynamo's off the field moves. The Dynamo take the pitch this Friday at U of H and start gearing up for their first meaningful match in the Pan Pacific Cup in Hawaii on February 20.
