The Houston Dynamo's big offseason moves have arrived – Ivan Franco and Brad Smith

The Three Wise Men brought a few gifts as Houston Dynamo FC begins its preseason preparations for the 2023 MLS campaign.

Veteran left back Brad Smith, a 2019 MLS Cup winner with Seattle Sounders FC, was unveiled as a free agent signing on Friday. On Saturday, the club announced a one-year loan of 22-year-old Paraguayan winger Ivan Franco from Club Libertad.

As far as big offseason moves go, these are hardly the category of signings that will get the attention of Houston's hardcore soccer fans. They're the most notable signings for the club so far, however, and they carry the low-risk, potential of high reward that has characterized most of the past offseasons over the last decade for the club.

More of the same? Likely, but Franco does bring some upside and here’s why some Dynamo fans are optimistic about this acquisition.

A Paraguayan reunion

Franco has been part of two league championships on top of a domestic cup triumph with Club Libertad. One of those occasions was alongside Dynamo designated player Sebastian Ferreira.

The reunion of the young Paraguayan duo brings hope that the two can produce plenty of goals in MLS. It also attempts to address, at least partially, a priority of the offseason which is to surround Ferreira with players that can bring out the best of his game.

"Iván is an exciting young attacking talent who we hope can flourish in our environment in Houston," Dynamo general manager, Pat Onstad said. "At 22-years old, he has already won three trophies for Libertad and gained valuable experience in Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana. At his best, Iván is a difference maker who can play across the front three attacking positions, and we can’t wait to work with him in Houston."

The biggest question for the young playmaker will be how he adapts to the physicality of the North American league. His compatriot Ferreira struggled to find consistent success in attack during his first season.

To be fair to Ferreira, he didn’t exactly have the service around him to help him succeed inside the box. Franco will be asked to account for some of that production in 2023 and, if more reinforcements don’t arrive, he may have to carry unfair expectations.

The plus will be that the star player Ferreira will be motivated by the arrival of his former teammate. That type of uplift may only last so long if positive results don’t arrive early in the season but, if the two can link up, maybe it could be the start of a successful MLS duo.

Banking on Brad Smith

Brad Smith was great in Seattle but is coming off an ACL injury season at D.C. United. If Houston is getting the Seattle version of the Australian, then this could have been a good pickup to improve chance creation from wide areas.

At the very least, it could provide some much-needed internal pressure at the left back position. Adam Lundqvist has improved very little since his arrival in 2018 and now, in what is ideally his prime, has not ascended to being among the best of his MLS peers.

"Brad is an experienced international left back with a history of winning in our league," Onstad said through a club release. "He brings an extra attacking element to our left back position, valuable competition in our backline, and a winning pedigree to our locker room."

Smith has been a better left back with Seattle. His exit from the Emerald City was prompted by several reasons, one of which was competing with Cameroon international Nouhou Tolo for that spot, but the most important had to be the price tag that came with him.

According to the MLS Players Association salary guide, Smith was on the books for a $550,000 base salary during the 2022 season when he was traded to D.C. United. One has to think, after the ACL injury, that the Dynamo got him for a reduced rate in free agency but his exact salary will dictate the discussion of his worth.

Lundkvist, for example, was listed at a base salary of $325,000 last year. If Smith is earning more than that, the Australian will have expectations from fans to start and produce.

A dynamic team in the making?

Year two under General Manager Pat Onstad and Technical Director Asher Mendelsohn has been a slow build. So far there’s only been a handful of signings that also include former Toronto FC winger Ifunanyachi Achara and ex-Columbus Crew man Artur.

Summer signing Hector Herrera will be in his first full season and with full focus on MLS, now that the FIFA World Cup is in the rear view mirror. More will be expected from the Mexican but, if the roster stays similar to where it’s at, he could have unrealistic expectations if the results don’t fall in place for Houston Dynamo FC.

Preseason is officially underway as players have reported for their beginning-of-the-year exams. The team will step out on the training ground at Houston Sports Park for its first training under new head coach Ben Olsen on Sunday.

The Dynamo will then head to the outskirts of Mexico City and Miami to continue their preparations in early February. Their season will start in Cincinnati on February 25.

Only participation in the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs will categorize this year as a success. A few building blocks have been planted but can they produce the “proactive style of soccer” that the club desires?