Dynamo’s Wilmer Cabrera takes cautious approach with Hondurans

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Coach Wilmer Cabrera knows as well as anybody how important Alberth Elis and Romell Quioto are to the Dynamo attack, but when they returned from international duty, Cabrera was not willing to risk the future for one or two games in the present.

Cabrera spoke of how the Honduran national team players were being overworked during the Gold Cup so he was not going to rush his electric wingers into the starting lineup when they returned to Houston.

Honduras was eliminated July 20. Elis and Quioto did not join the Dynamo for its July 22 road game at D.C. United. They both subbed in during the second half July 29 against Portland. Only Elis subbed in during the Aug. 5 game at Real Salt Lake.

“The idea was not to overload them with a lot of games and a lot of minutes because that is not what they needed,” Cabrera said Saturday night after the Dynamo beat San Jose. “The idea was working with the whole staff, including Paul Caffrey our strength and conditioning coach, to give them a little bit more rest.

“(We wanted to) take the pressure off them and give them the possibility to recover and be ready.”

The Dynamo's Alberth Elis, left, and Romell Quioto both started against San Jose on Saturday, marking the sixth time they've started together in 24 matches. The Dynamo's Alberth Elis, left, and Romell Quioto both started against San Jose on Saturday, marking the sixth time they've started together in 24 matches. Photo: Getty Photo: Getty Image 1 of / 75 Caption Close Dynamo’s Wilmer Cabrera takes cautious approach with Hondurans 1 / 75 Back to Gallery

Elis and Quioto both started against San Jose. It was the sixth time they have started together in 24 games. The Dynamo hoped to get more out of them than that when they acquired both in the off-season, but Cabrera’s hands have been tied by injuries and international absences.

By resting them more upon their return from the Gold Cup, Cabrera ensured they will have a better chance of being healthy and available over the final third of the season when results become magnified.

They made an obvious difference Saturday. The Dynamo recorded seven on-target shots. They have recorded more than that only four times this season.

Elis was especially good. He scored the winning goal on a header in the first half. He helped ice the game with an assist on Vicente Sanchez’s tally in the 86th minute. To create space for the final pass, Elis squared up a defender and then nutmegged him on his way into the penalty area.

Elis and Quioto were healthy two weeks ago against Portland, but neither started. The Dynamo attack lacked significant bite.

It was back at full speed Saturday thanks in large part to the return of its Honduran stars.

“Alberth is doing very well,” Cabrera said Saturday. “We needed him. We needed Romell. Today they were pushing. They were working. They were creating options. They were running and they were dangerous.

“Alberth was rewarded with a goal and an assist. That is why it is so important for us to have them fresh and with that mentality.”