HOUSTON – Trading Giles Barnes to the Vancouver Whitecaps is a transaction for the future of the Houston Dynamo as much as it is for the present.
That was the message delivered by Dynamo GM Matt Jordan Sunday afternoon before the Dynamo faced the San Jose Earthquakes.
Houston signed Barnes to a new contract just seven months ago, in December 2015, along with Will Bruin and Tyler Deric. Seven months later, Barnes is a Whitecap. What went wrong?
“Things change,” said Jordan on Sunday. “From when that contract was given to now, things have changed. Circumstances with our team have changed as well and we just felt this was a decision we needed to take.”
Trading Barnes, who had four goals this season, brings the Dynamo General Allocation Money and a right of first refusal for Costa Rican defender Keyner Brown, who trained with Houston in early July as part of a trial.
“The Discovery process is a very, very, very detailed and complicated process within MLS,” said Jordan when asked how close the team was to signing Brown. “With this transaction, we know have the ability to speak with him and his representatives, so that’s something that we’re exploring and working on.”
Barnes’ trade also gives the Dynamo salary relief and Jordan noted that the franchise is going to use those funds to add “difference makers” to this team.
Going forward, Jordan wants players that fit the Dynamo mold and identity.
“There’s been a lot of really positive signs the past eight weeks from this team,” said Jordan. “We’re getting a confirmed identity.”
In the past eight weeks under the guidance of interim head coach Wade Barrett, the Dynamo are 1-2-5 in MLS play.
Barnes’ trade is the latest transaction of a busy transfer window for Houston. To date, the Dynamo have acquired Colombian midfielder Yair Arboleda on loan from Colombia’s Independiente Santa Fe, and traded for Montreal Impact midfielder Eric Alexander.
“This decision [Barnes’ trade] put us in a good position to plan and to make plans for the future,” said Jordan. “I feel good about the team. We have some good pieces, but we’re not satisfied with where we’re at right now. The bottom line is, status quo is not acceptable.”
