As the CONCACAF Gold Cup gets set to stage its quarterfinals next weekend, Houston Dynamo fans may want to pay extra attention. The club’s coaches sure are.
Houston president of business operations Chris Canetti confirmed on Tuesday that there are international players featured in the tournament who are on the club’s target list for the upcoming summer transfer window. The club has not shied away from intentions to add players when MLS clubs are permitted to participate in the world’s wheelings-and-dealings July 15-August 14. Reports of a formal 'wish list' featuring 20 names are further evidence that a concrete plan is in place.
“I think it’s publicly known we’re in the market for attacking players at this time,” Canetti told MLSsoccer.com by phone Tuesday. “Mostly we’re looking at players at forward, but some on the current list are at other positions.”
Canetti confirmed that the team has a “large” list – which Canetti expects to grow in the coming weeks – of foreign-based attacking players to evaluate. The next step is to figure out which may one prove to be the right fit as the club seeks a successful signing.
“There are a number of things that go into a player being a good fit,” Canetti said. “Position, the transfer fee, age, salary, and of course the player has to fit [head coach Dominic Kinnear]’s system both on the field and in the locker room.”
The locker room attribute has always been a focal point for Houston. Known for having positive team chemistry, the Dynamo are focused on bringing in a player that will fit into the team.
“This team’s always been about character, so mental make-up is certainly one of the contributing factors,” Canetti said. “With that said, there are a number of things that go into the process, and we’re going through a thorough evaluation process to try and find the best possible option to bring here and help us win a championship.”
Darrell Lovell covers the Houston Dynamo for MLSsoccer.com. Follow him on twitter at @Dynamoexaminer.
