HOUSTON – David Horst didn’t watch much soccer growing up. In fact, his family didn’t even have cable.
So when it comes to the influences on his playing style, watching a player or team wasn’t really an option. Instead, the big center back turned to his coaches.
And the finished product from the big 6-foot-4 center back has been an impressive mix of a physically imposing style, ability to control the air and underrated speed in a progressively good season for the Houston Dynamo – reminiscent of center backs from the UK.
It’s perhaps no coincidence because, while he rarely watched the English game growing up, the voices on the practice field have had a decidedly similar feel.
“My club coaches were always English. My PDL coach was English. My college coach was Irish,” Horst told MLSsoccer.com. “I have all these different personalities from the UK that really influenced my game. That’s kind of why my game is tailored that way. … You’re never going to mistake me for a guy like Gerard Pique or someone like that.
“I would say I am tailored more to an English style center back because of my physical abilities and the kind of the way I play.”
Just as it’s valued in the UK, the ability to rise high and cut out balls over the top when the game goes direct has been an asset for the Dynamo defense. That is sure to come in handy again Saturday night against the San Jose Earthquakes (9 pm ET; MLS LIVE).
“The kind of style they play in England is very direct kind of play, and the kind of situations there is where the ball’s in the air, and Dave controls 100 percent of these situations,” Horst’s center back partner Raul Rodriguez said. “It’s making [it] very easy for us when he’s solving not only the air situations, but with his powerful strength he’s known for having.”
This season those abilities have been front and center. After starting the season looking to work his way up the depth chart, he’s started the last 12 games and has been able to find his groove and build a partnership with the players around him.
While there is speed and ball-playing skill around him, most commonly with Rodriguez and DaMarcus Beasley this season, they’ve been able to work off each other’s different strengths to make the group better.
While Horst provides the proverbial thunder, his foot speed is not to be taken lightly.
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“I think probably people when they see us they think I’m the fast guy and he’s the physical guy, but it’s not like this,” Rodriguez said. “I can play in the air also, and he’s a very fast guy when he has to cover me. I think the last five games, Dave’s making very good games and finding this balance.”
That versatility is another characteristic Horst shares with some of the top defenders in the UK. Although he was dubbed Wreck-it Ralph when he arrived last season, he can pop up during games to chase down runners and cut out chances. He did it three times in a 1-1 draw Saturday with Sporting Kansas City.
“I think my speed’s always been a little underrated because I’m a big guy. I may not look like I’m fast, but once I get going a little bit I can cover some ground,” Horst said. “Hopefully you don’t put this out there that I’m fast because I don’t want the other team’s forwards to think I’m fast. I think it’s a pretty good part of my game.”
Darrell Lovell covers the Houston Dynamo for MLSsoccer.com.
