Dynamo still hope to acquire creative playmaker

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The Dynamo began the off-season with the intent of finding a creative playmaker for the middle of the park. So far their efforts have come up short.

General manager Matt Jordan said Thursday the club has not given up on finding an ideal No. 10 to lead the attack, but as the beginning of preseason training gets nearer and the roster takes shape it looks more and more unlikely the Dynamo will be able to find what they want.

Despite the club's shortcomings in that area, new coach Wilmer Cabrera said the show must go on.

"It is not easy to get a No. 10 because the ones that we like and the ones we think can fit in with us, they are not available or we don't have enough," Cabrera said. "So we have Plan B. Within Plan B we bring in the players who can help us play a different system where we don't have to play with a No. 10.

"Still, we can be competitive and dangerous and solid to play in MLS."

Central attacking midfielders are in high demand throughout the league and often are the best players who get paid the highest salaries.

Matt Jordan, Vice President/General Manager of the Houston Dynamo with Wilmer Cabrera, center, introduced as the new head coach and Chris Canetti President, hold up a scarf during the press conference at BBVA Compass Friday,Oct. 28, 2016 in Houston. less Matt Jordan, Vice President/General Manager of the Houston Dynamo with Wilmer Cabrera, center, introduced as the new head coach and Chris Canetti President, hold up a scarf during the press conference at BBVA ... more Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Dynamo still hope to acquire creative playmaker 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

Last summer Seattle Sounders FC paid a $6 million transfer fee for Uruguayan playmaker Nicolas Lodeiro and will pay him $6.1 million over 3 ½ seasons. Lodeiro catapulted Seattle up the table and into the playoffs where it won its first MLS Cup title.

The LA Galaxy paid Steven Gerrard a $6 million salary last season. Toronto FC paid Michael Bradley the same. Orlando City SC paid Kaka $6.6 million.

In December, expansion club Atlanta United FC paid a reported $8 million transfer fee for 22-year old Paraguayan Miguel Almiron.

The Dynamo never have been a high-spending club so their chances of landing a player who can command that high a salary is less likely.

That does not mean Houston cannot field a high quality team. In December, the Dynamo acquired Honduran forwards Alberth Elis and Romell Quioto. Both players have significant upside and have contributed to their clubs and on the international level.

Though the Dynamo may have known early on they might not be able to land the playmaker they desired, they were going to target Elis and Quioto no matter what.

"They fit with a No. 10 or without a No. 10," Cabrera said. "We have been working and trying to bring that player, but we cannot wait to bring that player and then after bring the other players around. Let's bring everyone and then we continue looking for the one. So when we get that possible No. 10 he will come and the team is ready."

Complicating the process now is that the type of player the Dynamo almost always requires the use of an international roster spot. Houston has only one remaining, and it said last week they hope to work out a deal for Honduran Jose Escalante, who would occupy that final spot.

Still, the club is not abandoning its search.

"It is something I like. It is something the club likes," Cabrera said. "We all like and we all want, but we cannot just try to bring in anyone. Just anyone does not work. We have to bring the one. Right now it is not happening."