Dynamo Swoop For Oduro

The Houston Dynamo have bolstered their stable of forwards, acquiring Ghanaian striker Dominic Oduro from the New York Red Bulls in exchange for a pair of draft picks, the team announced in a press release this afternoon. In return, the Red Bulls will receive Houston's first-round pick in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft along with a second-round selection in 2011.

“We played against him several times when he was in Dallas, and he always performed well,” Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear said. “His pace really stands out. He will definitely be a good addition to the team.”

The 23-year-old Oduro, nicknamed "The Birdman" and known for his blinding speed, was originally selected in the second round of the 2006 MLS SuperDraft (22nd overall) by FC Dallas and went on to make 70 appearances over three seasons with the club. He put up the best numbers of his young MLS career last season, scoring five goals with two assists, but was traded to the Red Bulls in the offseason as part of the deal that sent Dave van den Bergh to Dallas. In the current season, Oduro has struggled to find playing time, making just three appearances for 128 minutes as Macoumba Kandji has emerged as a good strike partner for Juan Pablo Angel.

In Houston, Oduro joins a group of forwards that includes Brian Ching, Kei Kamara, Chris Wondolowski and Ade Akinbiyi. Having depth at the position will be important to the team's fortunes over the summer, as leading scorer Ching is a virtual lock to be called up by Bob Bradley at some point during the USMNT's busy season.