Trading Barnes creates chance to move forward
The Dynamo took advantage of the summer transfer window by adding four players, but the move in which they parted ways with a fan favorite is the one getting all the attention.
Houston traded forward Giles Barnes to Vancouver Whitecaps FC last weekend and did not seem to get much in return — just allocation money and the first refusal rights to Costa Rican defender Keyner Brown, who they signed Wednesday.
The trade is more about the future than it is the present. Barnes was on the books for a reported $700,000 a year, which is a fortune for a player who had stopped producing after signing his new contract about a year ago.
By the middle of last season, former coach Owen Coyle hoped to build the team around Barnes. It made sense at the time. In 2013 and 2014, Barnes had 20 goals and nine assists. In his first 11 appearances under Coyle last season, he had six more goals and one assist.
His production fell off dramatically. He had one goal in his final 17 games last season. In 14 appearances this season before being traded, he scored four goals.
Looking to improve’
The Dynamo, who face Montreal on the road Saturday night, expected Barnes to be the player to lead them back to contention for an MLS Cup championship. After signing his new contract, he never showed he might be that player. Now that the Dynamo are free from his contract, they hope to try again.
“(The Barnes trade) opens up a lot of funds moving forward,” Dynamo vice president and general manager Matt Jordan said. “We like our team. We think we have a lot of good pieces in our team right now. What we want to add to this team is difference makers. That is an area we can improve on.”
Since interim coach Wade Barrett took over in late May, the team has been organized defensively and has not conceded many goals.
Scoring goals has been the biggest problem, which could be solved by a dynamic player with a knack for finishing and creating opportunities.
“There have been a lot of positive signs the last eight weeks from this team,” Jordan said. “We’re getting a confirmed identity. That is a core value that has helped us be successful. The team has been organized. We have been hard to play against. It is very committed. Those are our core values.”
Not giving up
The last-place Dynamo (4-9-8) have not given up on this season, but with only one win in their last 10 league games, the playoffs seem as far away as they ever have. The reality is the club is starting to look more and more at its options for next season.
Jordan said that, although things seem to be going poorly, it does not mean there is no hope. In 2014, the Colorado Rapids won only one of their last 18 games and last season finished in last place in the Western Conference. This year, they sit second on the Western Conference table and are in the running for the Supporters’ Shield.
A big reason for Colorado’s ascent has been the acquisition of United States National Team regular Jermaine Jones. In his first four games with the Rapids, he had three goals and two assists to help them establish momentum they have not relinquished.
That is the type of production the Dynamo hope to get from a player they now have the flexibility to add in the winter transfer window.
“This transaction (Barnes trade) can provide us the chance to bring in one or two difference makers,” Jordan said. “Look throughout the history of this league; things can turn very quickly.”