This is part one of a multi-part series that will look into the effect that signing Cubo Torres will have on the Houston Dynamo.

Houston Dynamo have signed Erick Estefano Torres Padilla, more famously known as “Cubo” Torres. It would seem as if the pieces are all falling into place for an amazing 2015 Major League Soccer campaign, but before you start sewing that third star onto your jersey let’s analyze a few things that make this signing extremely interesting.

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You’re currently witnessing a Houston Dynamo team that features, Oscar Boniek Garcia, Brad Davis, Giles Barnes, Ricardo Clark, Alexander Lopez, Luis Garrido, Tyler Deric, Corey Ashe, DaMarcus Beasley, Kofi Sarkodie, and Will Bruin. Now that’s one stacked team that you should be extremely proud of, but those are also some major salaries that are going to (at least partly) count towards the salary cap.

Something has to give and that will probably be one of those players. It should be no surprise that Corey Ashe was not protected during the expansion draft. He’s a player that’s getting paid like a starter, but will sadly be second in line to DaMarcus Beasley in the pecking order. Even if he were to successfully convert into a right back, he would still not be better in that position than a natural right back like Kofi Sarkodie.

Even though it hurts to say so, it would come as no shock if Houston is currently trying to unload Ashe to any team willing to pick up his salary.

Let’s be honest, Barnes has been Houston’s back-to-back golden boot winner and is capable of playing in the mid if we require him to. Players that can successfully play multiple positions on the field are indispensable. Brad Davis is the current face and leader of the Dynamo, and there would be riots at BBVA Compass Stadium if he were to leave the team. Not to mention, Houston is going to depend on his magnificent left foot to make Cubo Torres into a success.

The team has already stated that they’re betting on Alexander Lopez for the future, so his spot as safe as can be for the near future. Beasley just joined the club during the summer and marked the beginning of what the Dynamo have now dubbed “Dynamo 3.0”.

Boniek has been the heart of the team for the past two years and considering the fact that he’s no longer a designated player, there’s no doubt in my mind that he’s safe with the Dynamo unless a big offer lands on our laps. All of this leaves us with the following players; Corey Ashe, Will Bruin, Luis Garrido, and Ricardo Clark. As has been stated already, Corey Ashe is the front-runner as the player that leaves the Houston Dynamo.

However, if Ashe doesn’t end up being that player, it will be between those other three players. Houston will not place Barnes in their already stacked midfield, especially after his success as forward. That means that Will Bruin will be seen as a bench player once Cubo Torres joins the team. If Corey doesn’t go, Bruin could be the player on his way out. Especially since he’s a top Major League Soccer forward with a huge upside and double digit goal seasons. The Dynamo could end up getting two players or some major allocation funds for him in order to build their roster.

Luis Garrido is currently on loan with the Dynamo with an option to buy, and he just joined the team so I don’t see him as leaving. Garrido is also currently being sculpted into the heir apparent to Ricardo Clark’s defensive midfielder throne. Which leaves us with Rico. Even though I see him retiring a Dynamo, his age and past injuries indicate that he’ll probably be third in line to leave if a deal with Ashe or Bruin isn’t set up. Garrido has already proven to be capable of filling his role and Nathan Sturgis joining the Dynamo could be seen as a (downgrade) replacement for Clark.

On the list of possible exits in order to make room in the salary cap I would list them with the following possibility:

Corey Ashe Will Bruin Ricardo Clark Brad Davis Jermaine Taylor

Why would I list Davis over Taylor? We are currently stacked in midfield, and we already have enough defensive woes to worry about.