When the Dynamo kick off their second decade Sunday, they hope to replicate the first two years of their first, which brought two MLS Cup titles.

Most importantly, they want to relegate the last two years to the farthest reaches of their distant memory. Nobody likes missing the playoffs in consecutive seasons.

Last year was especially tough. The squad played well often enough against the league's top teams to prove it could contend. With many more poor performances than great ones, however, the Dynamo often were frustrated and searching for answers they never found.

After the most eventful offseason in franchise history, the staff and players are singing a different tune. Practices are upbeat. Despite the massive overhaul, team chemistry has skyrocketed. New players promise to give the club what often held it back a year ago.

In other words, coach Owen Coyle's second season will have no excuses.

"Last year, everybody was a little bit more on edge because it was the first-year staff," defender David Horst said. "This year, guys are a lot more comfortable around (Coyle). They're a lot more comfortable in his system. Last year, we were starting from ground zero. This year, we're light years ahead of that."

Back to Gallery New-look roster boosts Dynamo's hopes for 2016 season 3 1 of 3 Photo: Bob Levey, For The Chronicle 2 of 3 Photo: Bob Levey, For The Chronicle 3 of 3 Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Staff





Maidana joins mix

Among the noteworthy additions are midfielders Cristian Maidana and Andrew Wenger, who came from Philadelphia via a trade in December, early in the MLS trade window.

Maidana is the type of creative playmaker the Dynamo have lacked in recent years. With a league-leading 26 assists over the last two seasons, Maidana will give the Dynamo a better chance to unlock teams in the attacking third with his knack for the killer pass.

Wenger is a former No. 1 overall pick who gives the club pace and power on the wing.

In late January, Spaniards David Rocha and Agus were brought in from Segunda A - Spain's second division. Rocha is a central midfielder who should help the Dynamo dictate rhythm in the middle of the park. Agus is a left-footed center back who could take Brad Davis' spot as the team's free-kick specialist.

In all, the Dynamo will begin this season with 10 new players.

"All of the changes we have made have been very positive," said vice president and general manager Matt Jordan, who began orchestrating the overhaul when he was hired late in 2014. "There is strong competition for spots to get into the 18 and to be in the starting lineup. We believe competition is what brings the most out of the players. That's how we'll continue to drive forward."

Jordan made a few personnel moves last season, but the bulk of the transactions came after the frustration-filled 2015 campaign in which the Dynamo finished eighth out of 10 teams in the Western Conference.

Overhaul was needed

Based on the way Coyle talked to media starting early in the season, the final standing seemed to be a fitting one. In just his first year, Coyle often pointed to the fact the Dynamo were coming off a season in which they finished 10 points outside the playoff race.

He also spoke about the fact the Dynamo had to make do with lower payroll than some of the top teams in MLS.

It also didn't help that Coyle was able to use his ideal starting lineup only twice in 34 matches because of injuries and international call-ups.

By the second half of the season, Coyle, Jordan and president Chris Canetti began referring to 2015 as a season of transition. In an interview before the season's penultimate game, Canetti said that even if the Dynamo stunningly qualified for the playoffs, they would not change what they were trying to do in advance of the 2016 season.

They were not happy about missing the playoffs last year, but they understood.

"It always takes a little bit of time," captain Giles Barnes said. "When Owen and Matt came in last year, we always knew where we wanted to be. It was about putting it in place and practicing it constantly. We've had a year together. There are no more excuses."

Corey Roepken is a freelance writer.