Houston's Must-Do List

• Houston Chronicle, Thursday, December 11, 2008 3:15 PM

Following Wednesday's draw for the quarterfinal stage of the Concacaf Champions League starting late February, Houston has a shorter than usual offseason in which to plan for its home-and-away game against Atalante of Mexico. Bernardo Fallas lists several things the club must get done over the winter.

Re-signing defenders Wade Barrett and Bobby Boswell and replacing forward Nate Jaqua are "no-brainers." It must also resolve the issue of building a new stadium, either by hoping for a change of heart on financing by Harris County, "or pony up the remainder of the dough [$10 million], get it done and move on. The sooner the better."

The Dynamo must also follow other MLS teams and look abroad for talent as the domestic player pool thins with the addition of more teams to the league -- a "solid forward or defender" could be found in the Caribbean at the right price. Meanwhile, the abolition of the reserve league means the team must foster better contacts with local colleges and semi-pro clubs in order to stage games where its young players can develop.

A "defender with pace" is also a priority to stop Houston getting burned again by the likes of New England's Kheli Dube or New York's Dane Richards in 2009. And finally it must back up starting goalkeeper Pat Onstad, who at 41 "is still one of the best in the league," by investing in a young keeper with future starting potential.

 

 

Read the whole story at Houston Chronicle »