In 2011, Tally Hall was an unknown goalkeeper who had big shoes to fill.
Coming in from a stint as a reserve in Denmark, Hall was tabbed to replace a Houston Dynamo legend, Pat Onstad. Nearly four years and two MLS Cup appearances later, he exits Houston leaving his own shoes to fill.
News broke Tuesday that the Dynamo and Orlando City SC have agreed to a deal to send him to the expansion club for allocation money. The deal is pending approval from the league office, which cannot be given before the trade window opens Dec. 8, but has been in the works for months.
Hall, who is rehabbing a torn ACL, will move on to his next adventure. The always-levelheaded goalkeeper leaves the club with good memories but knowing these moves are a part of the job.
“Ever since I was injured, I kind of understood this might happen,” Hall said. “I think before I got injured I would’ve been surprised that I got moved, but realistically that’s the business I’m in.
“I leave humbled by the amount of love and support I got from the fans and city, and at the same time I’m so excited to be going to a team that has so much buzz about it. [Orlando’s] absolutely thrilled to have an MLS team there, and to be part of something new is exciting for me and my family.”
Hall has seen his career blossom in Houston. He got his first starting gig with the club, and on top of backing his team to back-to-back MLS Cups in his first two seasons, he helped them to the 2013 Eastern Conference finals, claimed two All-Star nods and three USMNT call-ups.
It’s an impressive resume. But when it came down to it, the move was driven by the league’s salary cap, and Houston saw an opportunity to move the ‘keeper in a deal that was made before his Aug. 29 ACL tear.
“For me, everything’s cap-driven,” Hall said. “So many guys that get their opportunity is because of cap space. I don’t really think about the trade that the Dynamo were getting rid of me for cap space. I look at the trade as Orlando wanted me. I’m absolutely honored to be the goalkeeper for Orlando, and I look forward to having a lot of good years for them.”
Hall chose to take the positive route when asked about his memories in Houston.
“I wasn’t really anyone special before 2011,” he said. “ … One thing that sticks out is that the fans were still behind me. Looking back, especially when your kids are involved, my kids got to go down on the field and be cheered on; it was extremely special for me.”
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Hall said his personal goal is to be ready to play by the start of the season. However, he understands that getting his knee back to full health, something he said Orlando agrees with, is the top priority. When he does hit the field, he’ll join a club that has a track record of success in USL PRO and a superstar for him to play with in Brazilian Kaka.
“When you’re growing up, they’re super heroes. And now I’m on the same team as a guy who’s been talked about for a long time as one of the best soccer players of our generation,” Hall said. “There’s been some moments in my career where I get to play with people I never thought I’d be able to play with, and he’s definitely one of those guys that I never thought I’d be a teammate of that guy.”
Darrell Lovell covers the Houston Dynamo for MLSsoccer.com.
