HOUSTON, Texas -- Over the last two years, the Houston Dynamo have been defined by their tough and physical defense. After conceding the fewest goals in each of the last two seasons, the Dynamo got bad news last week as they learned defender Eddie Robinson will miss a significant portion of the season after undergoing knee surgery.
How much will Robinson be missed? Veteran defender Craig Waibel simplified the matter when he said, "He is a great player. The only thing you can say is it is disappointing. We are obviously disappointed and everybody else [in the league] is excited. So that really says it all."
Robinson's partner in the center of defense, Bobby Boswell, knows better than most how important Robinson can be to the team. An eight-year veteran, Robinson has played 140 league games in his MLS career; after playing 25 games in each of his first two years in Houston, injuries limited him to 20 games a season ago.
"You never want to lose a guy like Eddie -- he is a vital part of the backline," Boswell said. "He missed some games last year, and guys were able to step in. You never know what can happen in a season -- guys get injured, guys get suspended. It's just one of those things. You would rather have him out there, healthy and available, but he has got to do what he has to do to get better and the team has to move on regardless."
Houston's success on the defensive end has had less to do with one individual player and more to do with the entire team's commitment to defending. Brian Mullan and Brian Ching, among others, frequently track back and contribute defensively more than many players at their respective positions.
Boswell believes the team will be fine if they continue the team commitment to defending.
"We're a solid team defending," he said. "That's our whole goal -- to make it tough on other teams. Good reactions on turnovers and try to keep the ball. When there is a turnover, try to win it back."
One of the possible replacements for Robinson might come in Andrew Hainault, a young Canadian defender on trial with the club. While the team has yet to sign the defender, Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear has been pleased with his performance.
"He's coming along well. He's fit in well with the guys. He's played a little at right back and in the middle and he's done pretty good for us," Kinnear said.
Whether the team signs Hainault, the Dynamo can also take comfort that that Boswell and young Julius James -- acquired from Toronto in the offseason in the trade for Dwayne De Rosario -- are beginning to gel in the preseason.
"I think Julius is a very good player. He is very talented," Boswell said. "He's a good kid and he is willing to work hard. He understands it's a different system here and he has to play a different style than he is used to, but I did that last year and I can help him through it this year."
Kinnear is confident not only in James, but also in some of the other options that he has in the Dynamo squad.
"Julius stepped in pretty well. Geoff Cameron was a bright spot Tuesday against Atlante in the center of defense, and he has played there before," Kinnear said. "You want to have your whole team healthy and available, but Eddie being out for a while means some pieces have to be moved. But we've done that in the past and we've been OK."
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