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Every year, one team emerges in MLS to take the league by surprise. Last year, it was the Colorado Rapids’ transformation, and the hope in Houston is that this year the Dynamo will be the surprise outfit. They have a new head coach in Wilmer Cabrera, and what appeared to be a real philosophy in the offseason — signing a mix of young and experienced Latin American players combined with a few key MLS veterans. On paper there’s plenty of reason to believe this could be Houston’s year.

But in all that optimism there’s the cold fact that Houston has been very bad in recent years. The previous regime’s track record in signing international players was atrocious, and under too many coaches the Dynamo have been one of the least talented teams in the league, lacking innovative ideas. The signs this offseason are promising, but don’t forget: The Dynamo have a long way to go until they are good, and this latest rebuild may take more than one season.

Three reasons to be pumped for 2017 Give us less than two minutes and we'll make sure you're ready for the 2017 season. Опубліковано Dynamo Theory: A Houston Dynamo Blog 28 лютого 2017 р.

Key facts

2016 record: 7-14-13, 10th in Western Conference

2016 playoffs: Did not qualify

Head coach: Wilmer Cabrera

Key additions: Wilmer Cabrera (head coach), Alberth Elis

Key losses: The Dynamo finished in last place last season, so no loss was really a bad one. However, fans were really hoping to see the team hire Wade Barrett permanently as the head coach.

Projected starting XI (4-3-3): Tyler Deric; DaMarcus Beasley, Adolfo Machado, Leonardo, AJ DeLaGarza; Ricardo Clark, Boniek Garcia, Alex; Alberth Elis, Erick Torres, Mauro Manotas

Major trophies won, all-time: 2006, 2007 MLS Cup

What we think of our team: There is only one team in Texas — the Houston Dynamo. OK, we weren't the first club in Texas, but we've got the best history! The Dynamo may have had a few down years but they still have two stars on their jersey and El Capitan back in its rightful home.

What outsiders think of our team: “The Dynamo are a team either very good or very bad, almost never in between. They came into the league and won it all twice in a row but have missed the playoffs for three years running. They've got a few recognizable names in ‘Cubo’ Torres and DaMarcus Beasley, but playing in a very competitive Western Conference won't help their playoff prospects.”

Houston Dynamo’s biggest rival: “FC Frisco” aka FC Dallas. It is all on the line when these two teams play each other in the Texas Derby. The winner takes home El Capitan, a replica 18th century howitzer cannon.

Best social media follow: A.J. DeLaGarza on Twitter — if for nothing other than his burn of Dallas recently. Also, Eddie Robinson — the former Dynamo defender is still very involved with the team and has no problem speaking his mind.

Our season hinges on … the team’s ability to find a playmaker. Looking at the projected starting lineup, the Dynamo are still lacking a player who can make a difference and turn a game around when they are down.

Why this year won’t be like last year: This is an almost completely different roster from the one we saw in 2016.

Key player: Cubo Torres. Given his history with Cabrera at Chivas USA — 22 goals in 44 matches — we expect to see him get the start for the Dynamo up top. So far he hasn’t impressed in orange, but if the Dynamo want to win this year we are going to need him to score goals. If Cubo has a great season so will the Dynamo. If he doesn’t? Well, it’s back to the bottom of the West.

Predicted finish in 2017: Ninth in the Western Conference.

Wild prediction: Houston Dynamo sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic ... or, you know, any big-name player. We’re not picky.