HOUSTON, Texas -- When the Houston Dynamo announced in December that they were trading away perennial MVP candidate Dwayne DeRosario to Toronto FC for allocation money and rookie defender Julius James, some fans were left wondering if Houston had gotten enough in return.
It was no slight to James. DeRosario had become a fan favorite due to his flair and clutch play during previous MLS Cups and replacing him will be no small task for the Dynamo in 2009.
Still, the trade provided not only allocation money, but removed the Canadian midfielder's high salary from the books providing enough cap space for the team to re-sign defensive stalwart Bobby Boswell. The salary cap space remaining might also allow the team to bring in additional talent during the year, which might have otherwise been difficult.
In James though, there is no doubt the team acquired a promising young talent. After being selected ninth overall in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft, he played in 13 games last year, starting 10 and scoring one goal.
A Trinidad and Tobago international, the 24-year-old James has already taken note of the differences between his new team and his former employer.
"It's amazing. It's unbelievable," he said. "It's a different team, a different caliber of players. The expectancy and pressure is a lot more, it's great."
For any young defender, playing alongside two of the best centerbacks in MLS in Bobby Boswell and Eddie Robinson is quite a learning experience.
"They basically take me under their wing, showing me ... the things the coaches like," he said. "Every time I step on the field and I come off, I learn something."
Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear has been happy with James' progress.
"I think he is coming along OK. He and Bobby have formed a good little partnership in a short period of time. His athleticism obviously stands out," Kinnear said. "We are still in his ear for his positioning, his focus and concentration, but so far he has done very well for us."
This week, while every other MLS team is still in the thick of preseason training, James might be thrown directly into the fire. The Dynamo take on Mexico's Atlante FC in the first leg of their quarterfinal series in the CONCACAF Champions League, and with Eddie Robinson receiving a red card in Houston's last group match against CD Luis Angel Firpo, Kinnear will have to choose between starting the young defender, or rely on a more veteran presence such as Craig Waibel.
Even if he doesn't start, Kinnear believes that James will likely play some part on Tuesday night at Robertson Stadium.
"I am sure he will be on the field, we will see from the beginning or not," Kinnear said. "It's the way it is around here. A lot of guys have found their feet early in February instead of late in March."
James is looking forward to the opportunity as the Dynamo look to reach the semifinals in CONCACAF cup play for the third consecutive year -- a stage, however, they haven't been able to get past.
"We played against one or two Mexican teams in a friendly," James said. "It's a different look from MLS teams. They are a little more technical, less physical."
The young University of Connecticut product is happy to be in Houston and eager for Tuesday.
"I'm excited," he said. "It's a new team, new fans. I know the coaches have confidence in me, but I am going to be playing in front of the fans for the first time so I am excited. I am pumped."
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