Dynamo's coaching change working out for Collen Warner

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The Dynamo's mid-season coaching change has meant different things for different players. For Collen Warner, it has meant a new opportunity.

When Warner arrived via a trade March 1, he was expected to compete with Ricardo Clark and Alex Lima as players tasked with anchoring the midfield. Once Wade Barrett took over as the interim coach, however, he threw Warner into that role all by himself.

The early returns have been positive. The Dynamo hope for more of that Saturday at BBVA Compass Stadium when they once again use a defense-first lineup against the Eastern Conference-leading Philadelphia Union.

Warner was nursing a hamstring injury when he got to Houston. Recovering from that and then getting fit held him out early, but even when he returned he didn't get many chances. He played two games under Coyle and has started all four MLS matches under Barrett.

He also came on in the final 25 minutes to provide a stronger defensive presence in Wednesday's U.S. Open Cup victory over Sporting Kansas City.

"Now that Wade has come in, it has been good for me to play some games," Warner said. "With the style he is trying to implement, it's good for me. The role I play is a role I am pretty good at."

Warner is the destroyer in front of the defense. It is his job to break up passes meant for the opponent's playmakers in the attacking third. If he can't break them up, he at least tries to pressure that player to make a dangerous pass difficult.

Dynamo midfielder Collen Warner, left, pressures D.C. United midfielder Marcelo Sarvas during the first half. Warner played 90-plus minutes Saturday. Dynamo midfielder Collen Warner, left, pressures D.C. United midfielder Marcelo Sarvas during the first half. Warner played 90-plus minutes Saturday. Photo: Juan DeLeon, FRE Photo: Juan DeLeon, FRE Image 1 of / 18 Caption Close Dynamo's coaching change working out for Collen Warner 1 / 18 Back to Gallery

Former coach Owen Coyle utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation that was more focused on offense. Warner was expected to contend for playing time as one of the two defensive midfielders. Barrett, on the other hand, is deploying a 4-1-4-1 lineup in which Warner is all alone in the defensive midfield.

It is important for Warner to understand which shifts need to happen and when. He has to be able to react on the fly.

"Collen has a good soccer mind," Barrett said. "He reads the game really well. He understands that position. It is a tough one because you look at the other teams in the league and there are a lot of creative players who play in that spot. It is a big ask of him because I want to limit the chances those players have to get the ball, turn and play."

On Saturday his biggest challenges will be slowing down Tranquillo Barnetta, a Swiss international who made 260 appearances in Germany's Bundesliga; and Roland Alberg, who has scored five goals in his last three matches.

Warner has confidence on his side. He said he turned a corner in Vancouver on May 28 when Barrett put him in the starting XI for the first time.

Now that he is healthy, fit and playing a role made for him, he hopes to build on his performances from the last month.

"The consistent level of our performance was good (against Vancouver) with the way we were able to control it," Warner said. "Now you see us scoring goals that come from a little bit longer sequence of possession. My job is to provide support for all those things that happen."

Corey Roepken is a freelance writer.