Is Thiaguinho about to join the Houston Dynamo

The Houston Dynamo FC soccer club is on the verge of adding an exciting young piece in Thiago Fernandes. Simply known as Thiaguinho, the Brazilian forward/winger is reportedly on the move to Houston from Brazil. General manager Pat Onstad let the cat out of the bag last Saturday before the Houston Dynamo FC match during an interview with Glenn Davis. Four weeks ago Territorio MLS reported that Onstad was in Brazil in the middle of negotiations. His purposeful slip has fans anticipating the official signing.

Like Fafa, Thiago is a winger with excellent speed and footwork that has not gone unnoticed as he has climbed through the various tiers of Brazilian soccer. Playing for Flamengo, one Brazil's powerhouse sides, he showed the ability to adapt from a goal scorer to a goal creator. He will be a perfect complement to Fafa regardless if he plays left or right. At 21, he is just what the Houston Dynamo have sought over the years. He is a young player with a huge upside and playing Dynamo head coach Paulo Nagamura's system and the Houston heat he will help breakdown defense especially late in games. On a team rebuilding and looking for identity, Houston is a perfect fit.

Before the hype gets top great on this young player, remember he is just 21 and has never really featured as a starter because of more senior players. Onstad has been smart asking for him on loan with an option to buy if things work out. Not having had the playing required to totally blossom, the Brazilian native will have the minutes here if he can show here consistently what he has show elsewhere. Under previous regimes, the Dynamo have signed players boasting of their great potential and abilities and then never getting to prove their worth.

Houston looks to be building a side that is reminiscent of teams past when they had the endurance, the firepower and ability to take out opponents late in matches. Pairing Thiaguinho with a player Fafa and Hector Herrera's stature could pay off with huge dividends. Only time will tell how all this will play out but by June look for him to have inserted himself into the lineup in some form or fashion.