After missing much of preseason due to illness and battling through the hurdles of a slow recovery during the start of the season, Romell Quioto has returned to the field with determination to make an impact – and he doesn’t seem to be hitting the brakes any time soon.
The Dynamo winger got his first start of the year on April 14 against the San Jose Earthquakes, but really came alive the following week in his one goal, two assist performance against Toronto FC. He also played a role in creating the team's other two goals in a 5-1 win that day, then assisted Alberth Elis' goal in Minnesota the next week. Against the LA Galaxy, Quioto assisted Alejandro Fuenmayor's goal, scored on a free kick, and hit the ball off the crossbar that led to Memo Rodriguez's 90th minute winner.
All told, Quioto has had some part in each of the Dynamo last nine goals, ending up with two goals and four assists on the actual statsheet.
“I hit the ball with a lot of faith," Quioto said after Saturday's game of his deflected goal. "I knew that there was a scrum, and someone could change the direction of the ball, so I trusted myself and thank God I scored.”
The Honduran showed his ability when he joined the team last season with a similarly hot start. He scored three goals in his first three appearances and was named to the MLS Team of the Week in his very first week in the league. He cooled off after suffering a shoulder injury while on national team duty, but still finished with seven goals and three assists.
“We’re very happy because this is the Romell Quioto that I knew and the reason why we went to Honduras to bring him here," Dynamo head coach Wilmer Cabrera said of Quioto's recent resurgence. "This is the player that started very well last year but unfortunately suffered an injury and an illness and due to all the traveling during the playoffs, didn’t have the continuity that was necessary. He’s showing that he’s in great shape, condition and motivation and he’s doing something important for the team.”
Quioto's mentality to keep pushing after setbacks and to come back even stronger is one that is being replicated throughout the entirety of the team, and was evidenced by the last-minute win against the Galaxy.
“I think that the Houston Dynamo never give up, we are always fighting throughout the 90 minutes, or 95, until the end,” said Quioto.
Quioto and his teammates will bring that same mentality with them on the road as they look to claim points away from home against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Friday night (9:30 p.m.. KUBE 57).
