Houston Dynamo is betting on a 35-year-old to save their season | OneFootball

Houston Dynamo decided to stir the waters in the market and signed a high-profile name for the 2025 MLS campaign. Nicolás Lodeiro, the most talented midfielder the league has ever had, inked for 2025 with an option for 2026. At 35, the Uruguayan arrives following the mutual ending of his deal with Orlando City SC, with him comes success, experience, and unquestioned leadership.

Can Lodeiro continue to win games?

Age will always be a consideration. At 35, most players start to experience the effects of time, and pace is not what it used to be. But Lodeiro has never been the kind of player who relied on his athleticism,  his actual strengths have always been his vision, range of passing, and football brain.

He won't run as he once did, but he still out-thinks his rivals two steps ahead. And occasionally that is more valuable than new legs. The question is what Dynamo coach Ben Olsen is going to do with him. If he can fit Lodeiro into a formation where he dictates the tempo without covering too much ground, this signing could be invaluable.

How will he fit into Houston Dynamo's midfield?

Houston Dynamo's midfield does contain some interesting pieces already. Jack McGlynn, just signed from Philadelphia Union, is an exciting young talent who will have a lot to learn from the Uruguayan. Brooklyn Raines, also a young talent, will similarly have an opportunity to learn. Artur, meanwhile, one of the position's most steady players last year, provides defensive balance necessary to free Lodeiro up to create.

The challenge will be learning how to assign duties correctly. Lodeiro has always excelled as a primary playmaker, moving without restriction and setting up attacks unencumbered by defensive duty. If the coach can set up a system that fills in his blanks and plays to his strengths, Dynamo could have a true maestro in charge this year.

Will Lodeiro be able to maintain the speed?

Despite his beyond-questioning quality, ruggedness is something which cannot be taken for granted. When he played for Seattle Sounders, Lodeiro was the man in charge, winning two MLS Cups and a Concacaf Champions Cup. However, in the last few years, he has had some body problems — something which comes to an experienced player.

If Dynamo takes good care of his minutes and uses his talent at the appropriate time, they can make the most out of him without incurring unnecessary risks. Lodeiro is not one such player who can play 90 minutes per game, but due to his tactical sense, he can dictate games even when he's not present on the field all the time.