Chess may not be Houston Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear's strong suit, but you wouldn't know it with the way he's been forced to move players around the pitch due to injuries, suspensions, and individual players' form.
Perhaps the most intriguing move Kinnear has made, however, has been Luiz Camargo’s insertion into the midfield, a decision which has seen Geoff Cameron return to central defense and both Jermaine Taylor and Andre Hainault deployed at right back.
“I don’t think it’s been a big change,” Hainault said. “Luiz has come in and played well quickly. I’ve played a lot at right back, and Geoff played the whole season two years ago at center back, so it’s not really too much playing out of position.”
Camargo joined Houston on loan from Brazilian second-division side Paraná Clube in early August and has started both of the Dynamo’s last two games, assisting on Will Bruin’s 79th-minute winner against the San Jose Earthquakes on Sept. 17. For his part, Kinnear does not see any issues in moving players around so late in the season.
“I think they understand why we did it and accepted that the moves we’re making are, in my opinion, what’s best for the team," Kinnear said. "I think they respect my decisions and want to play well to help the team get results.”
The Dynamo have also seen changes at forward, where Carlo Costly’s red-card suspension against the Columbus Crew on Sept. 14 and an adductor injury to Brian Ching have forced Bruin, Calen Carr, and Cam Weaver into greater roles.
“It’s huge to have guys that can come in, as starters or off the bench, and do well,” Hainault said. “It allows you to shuffle the lineup and is huge come crunch time like it is now.”
Darrell Lovell covers the Houston Dynamo for MLSsoccer.com.
