The New York Redbulls sent striker Dominic Oduro to the Dynamo in exchange for a pair of draft picks: a 2010 first rounder and a 2011 second round selection. At first, the deal may seem lopsided as New York gains two draft picks and frees up a roster spot in exchange for a player who has played in just three matches this season and scored only eight goals in seventy-three MLS appearances. However, further examination of the deal may suggest that both clubs benefited equally from the deal.
Oduro is a player who prides himself on his pace and ability to get in behind defenders. The Dynamo have managed to only score eleven goals this season, which is second-to-last in the Western Conference, ahead of only lowly FC Dallas. Houston has always been a defensive first team under Dominic Kinnear, but they are going to need score more goals to have a shot at winning the conference and getting a high seed in the playoffs. Oduro will add a spark off the bench, something that Ade Akinbiyi has not provided in his brief time with the club. However, Oduro and Akinbiyi are very similar players, and the Dynamo are not likely to keep both.
Houston has a history of not valuing first round draft picks highly. In fact, their last first round pick was in 2007, when the Dynamo selected John Michael Hayden, yet to make an appearance for the Dynamo. The recent rule change regarding MLS Academy players will also decrease the value of all future draft picks. An argument can be made that the Dynamo could have gotten Oduro for cheaper, as Juan Carlos Osorio did not rate him highly. But there is little question that Oduro will be an upgrade in area considered the Dynamo’s main weakness.
For New York, they free up a roster spot to potentially sign talented youth player Dilly Duka and clear about $35,000 in cap room. The forward situation for the Red Bulls does not change much and will allow for Macoumba Kandji to get forward more, a position he looks more comfortable with.
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