"Would you do business with this man?"
It's a phrase you wouldn't normally apply to Houston Dynamo manager Dominic Kinnear. After all, he isn't one to adopt the used car salesman look. But after watching newly acquired forward Cam Weaver record two goals and two assists in two Dynamo victories this past week, one has to question why any MLS general manager or head coach would risk dealing with Kinnear, because chances are their newly jettisoned player will immediately begin lighting it up for Houston.
Granted, in the case of Weaver, it's still too early to declare his acquisition a lopsided deal. But the list of players whose careers have been resuscitated by Kinnear via trade reads like a starter kit for an MLS All-Star team. Ricardo Clark, Brad Davis, Richard Mulrooney and Bobby Boswell have all been picked off the scrap heap at some point, and in many cases, those players have enjoyed the best soccer of their careers under Kinnear. Other players like Weaver and Kei Kamara have seen their fortunes improve from the moment they first set foot in the Bayou City.
Even when things don't go as planned, the Dynamo reap some benefits. Defender Julius James, the man on the other end of last winter's Dwayne De Rosario trade, has yet to have much of an impact, and has since been loaned out to the USL-1's Minnesota Thunder. But the salary cap space that was freed up by the deal has allowed the Dynamo to obtain players such as Andrew Hainault, Dominic Oduro and Weaver.
So given Kinnear's track record, are teams any more reluctant to do deals with Le Grande Orange? The Houston manager not only insists that isn't the case, but that the deals haven't been as one-sided as people think.
"There's players that you like and you ask if they're available," said Kinnear. "The one with Bobby Boswell, we got a bit lucky because he almost didn't come back. Him coming back and re-signing with us makes that trade look better.
"But I think what we give up is fair ... and then it's up to the player."
Kinnear's astuteness in the trade market has been absolutely critical over the years, as has his ability to draft unpolished gems like defender Geoff Cameron. But the ability to bring in reinforcements has been especially key this season. The 2009 campaign began with many pundits predicting that Houston was a dynasty in decline, yet the roster machinations of Kinnear and COO Chris Canetti have the team level on points in the Western Conference with Chivas USA.
Given the depth Houston has accumulated makes another MLS Cup run likely, especially now that a frontline that was perceived to be thin has been augmented by the acquisitions of Weaver and Dominic Oduro.
The temptation is to think that Kinnear sees something in the new arrivals that other teams don't. But the Houston manager is quick to add that a combination of factors is at work when it comes to getting the best out such players.
"I think the team is a bit underrated as far as how it helps [new] players ease into the team," said Kinnear. "I think the new players would say it's an easy locker room to come into."
Having players like Davis, Stuart Holden and Brian Mullan supplying the frontline with good service also helps.
"All of these guys become good forwards because of the guys behind them," said Kinnear. "But it's also up to them to have good movement in the box and put away their chances."
It all adds up to a good bit of business for Kinnear and the Dynamo.
Mile high Noonan: Few insurance policies were as expensive as former Columbus Crew attacker Pat Noonan. The one-time U.S. international was brought on board last year in case a bizarre gardening accident struck down Guillermo Barros Schelotto. With Alejandro Moreno playing the role of holdup man to a tee, and given Eddie Gaven's continued maturation, there just wasn't much room in the lineup for Noonan to make an impact, and his salary was burning a hole in Columbus' budget.
So what to make then of his latest move to Colorado? The Rapids already have one of the most potent frontline combinations in MLS with Conor Casey and Omar Cummings. Head coach Gary Smith also appears to be getting solid flank play from the likes of Colin Clark, Nick LaBrocca and Terry Cooke. It makes the acquisition of Noonan similar to obtaining another piece of fine china; it might look nice, but it's difficult to see how a player with a history of injury will benefit an up-and-coming side like the Rapids.
Yet with Casey already away at the Confederations Cup, and with Cummings likely to play for Jamaica later this summer in the Gold Cup, the need to acquire additional frontline depth was more urgent than it first appeared.
"We needed some competition, we needed some experience, and we needed some quality for not only the team, but the front pairing," said Smith. "Our forwards have been extremely productive, and we're very, very pleased with them. But there's no substitute for competition and putting people under pressure.
"I felt Pat [Noonan] was a wonderful addition for us and brings a lot of qualities. We're a little light on the ground anyway, and to bring a tried and tested forward in this league is a big positive for us."
Visa-vis Glen: After Cornell Glen scored the opening goal in San Jose's 2-1 win against Real Salt Lake two weeks ago, the belief was that the Quakes had succeeded in plugging at least one of the numerous holes on their roster. That comfy thought helped soften the blow at seeing Glen leave on international duty with Trinidad & Tobago. There's just one problem. Getting Glen back into the United States has proved tougher than anyone anticipated.
Glen needs what is called a P-1 visa to return to the U.S. but according to San Jose manager Frank Yallop, Glen failed to bring the appropriate documents with him to his visa appointment last Monday. The U.S. embassy in Trinidad then refused to give Glen an expedited appointment, and will make him wait until next Monday to get his visa approved. It's the kind of thing that could only happen to a last-place team.
"[The embassy] just won't speed it up," said a clearly annoyed Yallop. "There's no urgency at all. But we're working on it, so hopefully he's back."
Chivas get super break from SuperLiga: After sustaining as many losses in the last week as they have all season, it's clear that Chivas USA need to spice things up a bit. That's especially true when your team concedes two goals in as many games straight from goal kicks.
Fortunately for the Red-and-White, SuperLiga is set to begin this week, giving Chivas what could amount to some valuable time off from league play. The team's next league encounter isn't until July 11, and head coach Preki now has the chance to dole out playing time more judiciously, resting players who have logged heavy minutes while also giving players returning from injury like Ante Jazic time to get more match-fit.
Jeff Carlisle is a regular contributor to ESPN Soccernet, and covers the San Jose Earthquakes for Center Line Soccer and MLSnet.com. Jeff can be reached at eljefe1@yahoo.com. Views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's, and not necessarily those of Major League Soccer or MLSnet.com.
