Houston has only made three deals this season, but the trades have helped the Dynamo get to where they are right now -- in first place in the Western Conference.
The Orange beefed up their midfield and forward positions earlier this season by acquiring Richard Mulrooney from Toronto and Joseph Ngwenya from Columbus.
To start July, the defending MLS Cup champions acquired forward Nate Jaqua from Los Angeles, and Jaqua has stepped in to give Houston another offensive threat.
"I enjoy the way the Dynamo play soccer. It's easy to fit in," Jaqua said. "It's a good team game. Everyone gets involved. Everyone works for each other, so it's easy to fit in."
Jaqua joined the Orange in the middle of what is now an 11-game MLS unbeaten streak, and the forward helped Houston go 2-0-1 in Superliga. He had an assist on what would be the game-winning goal against D.C. in the Dynamo's Group B finale Wednesday, and he scored the team's lone goal in their 1-0 win over Club America on July 25.
Since joining Houston, Jaqua has scored a goal and added two assists in five MLS games.
"We never liked playing against big Nate. He's a handful," said Dynamo goalkeeper Pat Onstad. "He's a handful in the box, and up front, he's obviously a big target man. He does really well. He has great feet for a big guy. He's a nice addition to our team, and I think it makes us that much stronger up front."
The 26 year old forward from Eugene, Ore., started his MLS career in Chicago where he played for four seasons. He started this season with the Galaxy, where he had only one goal in 10 games.
Things have turned around for Jaqua since coming to the Orange, and he said part of the reason is the team he plays for.
"Some of it is that if you are on a better team that is playing better soccer, it's easy to score. Some of it is goalscorers go through slumps" Jaqua said. "For some reason, I wasn't able to find the back of the net. We played some games, too, in LA where we didn't create many chances. You play on a good team, you create more chances and it's easier to score."
Jaqua, who has 23 goals and 13 assists in his MLS career, is a hard player to defend in the box. Why? Well, his 6-foot-3 frame might have something to do with it.
"You look at me, my size right away [is hard to defend]," Jaqua said. "But I have good ability with my size. It's not like I go out there and try to be a beast and throw my body around. That helps when you have that size and are able to hold balls up but are still able to get shots off. I think it's a combination of both."
The Houston locker room has welcomed Jaqua along with Mulrooney and Ngwenya with open arms.
"The way the locker room accepts people makes it easier for them to fit in right away," said Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear. "That's why you see guys when they come here, they are relaxed because they guys appreciate and accept them."
Added Onstad: "I think we've had a pretty good -- I wouldn't say policy -- in the locker room, but to have open arms when someone new comes in. As much as everyone wants to play, and it's all about having your job. At the same token, I think everyone wants to see the team do well first and foremost, and if that means bringing in someone whether its Nate, Joe or Rich, then so be it. I think that's what makes our team a stronger team."
The clubhouse "policy" has helped the Orange become successful, and Jaqua along with the rest of the team hope that this season will continue to be successful. Houston leads the MLS with 34 points, and with 11 games left in the season, Dynamo will look to finish this season like they did last season -- with an MLS Cup title.
"We just need to continue what we're doing. We are playing good soccer right now," Jaqua said. "Every day people are working for one and another, and we will win another championship."
Jeremy Rakes is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
