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MLS Houston Dynamo FC

Game Notes: Houston Dynamo vs. Atlanta United FC

March 1, 2018 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Houston Dynamo FC News Release


HOUSTON - The Houston Dynamo will open a new season on Saturday afternoon when they host Atlanta United FC at BBVA Compass Stadium. Opening Day, presented by Pepsi Zero Sugar, will feature festivities throughout the afternoon leading up to kickoff; and the matchup between two of Major League Soccer's highest-scoring teams last year promises to produce fireworks on the pitch.

The Dynamo will look to build upon their success at home a year ago, when they posted a 12-1-4 record in the regular season, best among MLS Western Conference teams. In contrast with last season, when the Dynamo overhauled their roster in the offseason, the 2018 offseason was focused on creating consistency with the lineup and bringing back many of the core contributors from a year ago.

Back in the fold are left back and captain DaMarcus Beasley, who was re-signed prior to the start of camp; dynamic forward Alberth Elis, for whom the Dynamo executed a full transfer from C.F. Monterrey in December; Colombian midfielder Juan David Cabezas, for whom the club completed a loan-to-buy option with Deportivo Cali in December; and several other key contributors.

The Dynamo did add some key new elements as well, however. Defender Alejandro Fuenmayor represents the main international signing, and the club added a pair of Salvadorian National Team stars from within MLS in the form of midfielders Arturo Alvarez and Darwin Cerén. For Alvarez, it's also a long-desired return to his home town. As a teenager, Alvarez played club games at Houston's Bear Creek Park and graduated from Mayde Creek High in Katy. The veteran winger was stellar in preseason, scoring a team-best three goals, including two in the Mobile Mini Sun Cup in Tucson, Arizona. Cerén, who makes the move to Houston from San Jose, will compete for minutes in the center of the midfield and has long been one of the league's best at winning the ball, breaking up opposing attacks and jump-starting those for his team.

Atlanta comes in with several new additions of their own, notably U.S. National Team midfielder Darlington Nagbe, who was acquired in a blockbuster trade from Portland, and 18-year-old Argentinian midfielder Ezequiel Barco, who joined the team in a transfer from Independiente in his home country over the offseason. The Five Stripes took the league by storm in their first season, scoring 70 goals with a free-wheeling style and attacking in waves; and now enter their sophomore campaign aiming to take the next step after a disappointing shootout loss to Columbus Crew SC in the Eastern Conference Knockout Round.

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