Dynamo re-sign Boswell, trade Ianni
2006 Defender of the Year locked up to multi-year deal
Acquired from D.C. United in December 2007, Boswell quickly established himself as a starter at central defender with Houston in 2008. He started 43 games out of the team's all-competitions total of 48 and helped the Dynamo lead Major League Soccer with 32 goals allowed in the regular season. He also earned three individual Dynamo awards: Defender of the Year, Iron Man of the Year, and the Fans' Choice Award. Boswell had three goals and one assist for the Dynamo in 2008, including two goals in Houston's run to the SuperLiga title game.
"We're very happy to have Bobby coming back," Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear said. "We had the best defense in the league last year, and he was a big part of that. We feel defense is a big part of winning championships, and having Bobby in there will help us make a run at another title."
Boswell, 25, entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2005 but earned a senior roster spot in his rookie season and was named the league's Defender of the Year in 2006. Boswell will join the Dynamo for the beginning of training camp on Monday, February 2.
Ianni, 23, appeared in 51 total games over three seasons for the Dynamo after being selected in the first round (eighth overall) of the 2006 MLS SuperDraft. He started 19 MLS games for Houston over the 2007 and 2008 seasons as a central defender, scoring one goal and notching one assist. He also competed on the squad that represented the United States at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.
The Houston Dynamo are a Major League Soccer franchise that has won two MLS Cup championships in its first three seasons and represented the United States in three consecutive regional championships. The Dynamo will begin their 2009 MLS campaign on Saturday, March 21, taking on the defending MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew. Their 2009 season opens with CONCACAF Champions League play on Tuesday, February 24 at 9:00 p.m. For more information, please log on to www.HoustonDynamo.com or call (713) 276-7500.
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