HOUSTON – Boniek Garcia can do anything.
Those were the thoughts of Houston Dynamo FC head coach Tab Ramos after La Naranja’s 2-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes on a drizzly Friday night. The high praise for Boniek came after the midfielder played centerback as a matter of need.
“We have three centerbacks out right now, and so there’s wasn’t much choice. Alejandro Fuenmayor was the next choice but he was also injured and hadn’t been playing for three weeks. I felt that he might be able to give us 30 minutes, maybe 40. I didn’t want to start him if I’d have to take him off,” Ramos said. “This is why we have Boniek here. I think he can do anything.”
Ramos joked with Garcia after the game, egging him to give his fellow countrymen and teammate Maynor Figueroa some centerback tips.
“He did a great job, I think everyone saw that,” Ramos said.
Truth be told, Boniek had never played centerback before this season but did get a couple of reps in during the preseason as a right centerback. In Friday’s home opener, the 36-year-old played left centerback and didn’t miss a step — even if he had doubts going in.
Garcia found out on Wednesday that he’ll be in the starting lineup but was surprised to see himself at left centerback. He immediately wondered whether he could make the transition.
Suffice to say, he made it.
“These are the opportunities that one needs and like it or not, you need to take advantage of them,” Garcia said. “Thank God today we were able to have a good game not only at the individual level but at the collective level.”
Leading up to the game, Boniek made sure to prepare himself for this new role. And in that process, showed why he’s been hard to keep off the pitch during his Dynamo tenure that started in 2012.
First, he contacted his fellow compatriot and former San Jose Earthquake centerback Víctor Bernárdez for tips. On gameday, he watched videos of players who made the transition from midfielder to centerback, and of right-footed players who play left centerback. Finally, he had a conversation with Figueroa, a centerback who made his career playing left centerback for Wigan Athletic.
The tips, talks, and video sessions did the trick, helping Boniek get an understanding of the position. Garcia had 8 duels and won 85 percent of them. The highest of any player on the pitch.
Does Boniek think centerback is in his future at this stage of his career?
El Presidente, as he’s come to be known by the loyal Dynamo fans, chuckled before answering.
“Honestly, it was out of necessity, coach told me he needed me in defense because we had so many players hurt, and he didn’t want to risk Alejandro,” Garcia said. “The idea was to fulfill this game but looking forward the intention is to continue playing in my position.”
Garcia will be in the midfield again but if El Presidente is needed at centerback, there’s no doubt he’ll answer the call.
Jesus Acevedo Jr. is the Editor-in-Chief of The Bayoucitian. He’s an award-winning bilingual journalist from Houston, TX. A graduate of the University of Houston, he has written for the Houston Chronicle, La Voz de Houston, MLSsoccer.com, and ProSoccerUSA.
Before becoming a journalist, Jesus spent his early 20s drumming his way across Houston with two bands — Shortcomings and InsertNameHere. The memories that Jesus made as a musician were the seeds that started the idea for the comedy, Houmans: The Series.