Ahead of the 2014 SuperDraft, MLSsoccer.com is breaking down each team's needs and potential draft targets. Here's a look at where the Houston Dynamo need help:
Bobby Boswell was the main pillar in central defense over the last several years, reliable on one side of the ball and solid in distribution on the other. That will be Dominic Kinnear's main target.
The other target? How about a target.
Houston Dynamo SuperDraft Picks: #16 (1st Rd), #32 (2nd Rd), #54 (3rd Rd)
Houston Dynamo Depth Chart: 20 players
Goalkeepers (3): Tally Hall, Tyler Deric, Erich Marscheider
Right Backs (1): Kofi Sarkodie
Left Backs (2): Corey Ashe, Anthony Arena
Center Backs (3): Eric Brunner, Jermaine Taylor, David Horst
Center Mids (3): Ricardo Clark, Warren Creavalle, Servando Carrasco
Left Mids (1): Brad Davis
Right Mids (2): Boniek Garcia, Brian Ownby
Attacking Mids (2): Giles Barnes, Alex Lopez
Forwards (4): Will Bruin, Omar Cummings, Bryan Salazar, Jason Johnson
International slots (4 of 7 remaining): Barnes, Lopez, Taylor
Houston Dynamo's Primary Need: A rock in the center of defense
Boswell’s gone, and prize Homegrown Sebastian Ibeagha looks like he’s going to try his luck overseas. That leaves a trio of journeymen in Brunner, Taylor and Horst. All are good squad players, but none is the type you’d build a championship backline around. Houston might go overseas for the answer, but if you can get it in the draft, then why not?
Targets:Kyle Venter (New Mexico), Kevin Cope (Michigan State), A.J. Cochran (Wisconsin - GA), Damion Lowe (Hartford - GA)
Secondary Need: Target forward
Brian Ching’s a suit and Cam Weaver’s gone, which means that Houston don’t have a true target on the roster. That might not make too much of a difference as Bruin continues to add pieces to his game alongside Barnes. But it’s always good to have at least one back-to-goal monster to turn to on the roster.
Targets:Wojciech Wojcik (Bradley), Mark Sherrod (Memphis)
CATCH THE OTHER SUPERDRAFT TEAM PREVIEWS:
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FC DALLAS: Will Oscar Pareja make a run at NCAA top scorer?
LA GALAXY: Bruce Arena merely putting finishing touches on 2014 squad
REAL SALT LAKE: Jeff Cassar's first big decisions come in SuperDraft
COLORADO: Five picks in Philly, but no head coach to make them
CHIVAS USA: In search of another rebuild for the Goats
TORONTO FC: Are the Reds about to become a SuperClub?
MONTREAL: Finding depth up top is Klopas' first priority
CHICAGO: How does big trade impact Fire's draft strategy?
SPORTING KC: Champs have few needs entering SuperDraft
