When the Houston Dynamo traded away perennial MLS MVP Dwayne DeRosario in the offseason, the keys to the Houston attack were handed in large part to Stuart Holden. With a goal and two assists in his last three games and an improved performance across the board, Holden finally seems more comfortable with the Dynamo offense at his feet.
"I just feel more comfortable every game," Holden said. "It's a position I'm familiar with, but I am getting more comfortable with Ricardo [Clark] and Brad [Davis] and Brian [Ching] and Kei [Kamara] up front. The last couple of games have been good for me and for the team."
That last sentence might be a bit of an understatement. After three consecutive victories, 403 minutes without conceding a goal and a team that has been dominant in possession, things are clicking, not only for Holden but for the entire team.
While it might have been easy to point fingers for Houston's offensive slow start at the inability to replace De Rosario, the truth is that the Dynamo struggles early in the season extended well beyond one player. Davis, Clark and Mullan had spent several seasons together in midfield with De Rosario and Holden couldn't be expected to develop a similar relationship overnight.
"Everyone expected us to fire on all cylinders to start the season," Davis said. "But you need practices and things we can work on together and get better at. We played a lot of games in our preseason, and we didn't have that many training sessions to work on some of the things we needed to work."
With Holden's experience playing not only in the middle, but on both the left and right wing, the Houston attack seems to be at its most dangerous when Holden is freely interchanging with his teammates.
Taking the goal against FC Dallas as a perfect example, Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear recognized the high line the Dallas defense was playing and wanted Holden to try to capitalize by getting behind the defense. In the 57th minute, Holden broke free high and to the left, a position normally where Davis might roam, before sending in the cross that led to the game winner.
"He sliding out left and me sliding in the middle, we can do those things since we've both played there and are comfortable," Davis said. "Now we have gotten back to a regimen and guys are comfortable in their positions, we've done a good job. Rico's done a great job of winning balls. Me and Stu and Brian have done our best to help out in attack."
While it is easy to mark offensive success in goals and assists, Holden also brings substantially more to the field defensively. He frequently slides back to cover whenever Ricardo Clark pushes forward, and his tireless work ethic despite the summer heat is impressive. While Holden is just one of many players contributing defensively, 403 minutes without a goal speaks for itself.
"It comes with learning, but we all know our responsibilities," Holden said. "As one guy goes forward, we have to step back and that's what's made us so solid defensively is that we defend from the front to the back. The work the forwards do make it easier for us, and the work we do makes it easier for the defenders."
Both offensively and defensively, Holden and the Dynamo midfield are beginning to play some of their best soccer. It's no surprise the improved play has coincided with three consecutive victories.
"When the guys around me are playing well it makes my job easier," Holden said. "I think we're linking quite good right now and we want to keep that going."
Dwain Capodice is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
