The Dynamo kicked off their off-season with a flurry of moves this week, including parting ways with a player they thought might be the playmaker they have been looking for.
Midfielder Cristian Maidana's stay in Houston lasted only one season as the club declined the option on his contract. Maidana theoretically could return to the Dynamo if no other MLS club selects him during the re-entry draft next month.
The Dynamo acquired Maidana in a trade with the Philadelphia Union before the start of the 2016 season. Playing in a No. 10 role, Maidana showed great distribution skills and piled up 26 assists in 54 appearances.