Houston Dynamo trade Tim Parker to St. Louis City SC for cash

If you didn't know it before, you know it now. The Houston dynamo are in full blown rebuild the team mode in the mold of their new head coach. On Friday evening, they announced the sale of team captain and defensive stalwart Tim Parker to St. Louis City SC. The expansion side sends $500,000 in general allocation money (GAM) to Houston.

Houston not only traded Parker in the prime of his career at age 29 but they also agreed to pay a portion of his salary in 2023 and 2024. The centerback started 60 of 62 games for the Dynamo and has appeared in more than 200 MLS games.

It's mind boggling to understand how you trade the one player who has stood tall in the last line of defense earning Ironman of the Year in 2021. St. Louis gains the centerpiece of thier defense for the next five years and if the rumors are true he will be in the Western Conference facing his old team more times then you will care to count. If Parker was so expendable, why even sign him to a contract extension barely 18 months ago that extended him to 2024.

General Manager Pat Onstad reflected on the move in Friday'spress releaase.

“We continue to make significant changes this offseason to build a stronger club for the future. The resources acquired in this trade will allow us to build a more competitive roster in 2023 and beyond,” said Pat Onstad. “Tim played an influential role in our team over the past two seasons and made a positive impact in our community. We wish him well as he starts the next chapter of his career.”

Another mid boggling thought is that you just hired a coach who is considered to be defensive minded and you trade away his best asset in that regard. Who are you replacing him with? Is the thought that Sam Junqau who hasn't even accepted an offer tendered to him earlier this month going to be the man? Is Dynamo 2 center back Talen Maples about to get a shot at 21 years old to show he can anchor a backline on an MLS side?

The Dynamo are going to have to come up with something impressive to show the fanbase they know what they are doing and where they are going. The Dynamo finished 13 out of 14 teams in the Western Conference so there is still room to go back to being last ......again.