Houston Dynamo sign former Austin FC goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell

Andrew Tarbell won't be moving far this offseason after trading life in the Texas capital to sign with Houston Dynamo FC in MLS free agency, the club announced on Wednesday.

The move brings the 29-year-old goalkeeper about 150 miles closer to his hometown of Mandeville, Louisiana. Tarbell signed a two-year contract with a team option for the following year and becomes the third former Columbus Crew player to reunite with Dynamo GM Pat Onstad in Houston.

"Andrew is an experienced MLS goalkeeper who brings a winning mentality to our locker room and adds competition to our goalkeeping position," Onstad said in a club statement. "We talked about adding more quality and depth to our roster this offseason and Andrew’s signing aligns with that intention. Plus, his experience on three different MLS Playoff clubs will be invaluable as we restore a winning mentality at our club. We welcome Andrew and his family to the city of Houston."

A seven-year MLS veteran

Tarbell played 55 matches for Clemson University from 2012 to 2015, helping the Tigers to the NCAA Division I National Championship game against Stanford in his senior year. He led the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in saves with 84 earning him an All-ACC recognition in his final year.

The goalkeeper was selected No. 8 overall by the San Jose Earthquakes in the 2016 MLS Draft. After playing 45 minutes in his rookie season, Tarbell earned the Quakes starting job after an 11-save performance in a U.S. Open Cup extra-time defeat to Sporting KC. Coincidentally, his first MLS start came against the Houston Dynamo at PNC Stadium (then named BBVA Compass) in a 3-0 defeat. He went on to finish the 2017 season with 990 minutes and 11 consecutive starts but the Earthquakes were defeated 5-0 in their opening match of the MLS Cup Playoffs. 

The 2018 season was his most active with 29 starts in as many matches with 60 goals against (2.06 GAA) and 86 saves across 2,610 minutes. He was inactive during the 2019 season before being traded in February 2020 to Columbus Crew SC.

The goalkeeper made his regular-season Crew SC debut during a Group Stage match of the MLS is Back Tournament and went on to make seven regular-season appearances (six starts). He was called upon during the 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs, helping Columbus with two clean sheets on their way to winning MLS Cup, after filling in twice for regular starter Eloy Room, absent due to COVID-19 protocols.

Tarbell signed with Austin FC as a free agent prior to the club's inaugural 2021 season. He was thought to be in a position to win the starting job due to his experience but was beaten by Brad Stuver in preseason.

He did play one match for Austin and also had minutes in a friendly over Tigres UANL in 2021. Tarbell played three consecutive matches in April 2022 after an injury to Stuver in a 2-1 win at Houston and went on to make one more appearance in July for a total of 352 minutes last season. Austin FC declined Tarbell's contract renewal for the 2023 season.

Competition for the starting job?

Considering his most recent role in MLS, and the potential departure of Michael Nelson, Tarbell is a depth piece at goalkeeper. He'll get a chance at the starting role but Steve Clark should have a hold on that if the 2022 season is factored in.

Perhaps with a new head coach, however, Tarbell has an opportunity to sway more minutes his way. Based on how he did in Austin, he'll have to step up his game.

Along with Clark, and yesterday's trade for Artur, Tarbell is the third former Columbus Crew player to reunite with Pat Onstad in Houston. The Dynamo GM is building a roster with a coach and players that he has a history and a feeling of loyalty and trust.

The Dynamo now has 20 players under contract for the 2023 season. Tarbell is the third new face during an offseason where as many as 10 new signings have been suggested.