Tab Ramos recognizes new signing Mateo Bajamich may have arrived too late to help Houston Dynamo this season but hopes the winger can get the team closer to a title challenge.
Bajamich was recruited this week from Argentina's Instituto, replacing Alberth Elis who left for Boavista in Portugal.
But the 21-year-old will not be available for Wednesday's Texas derby against FC Dallas and is facing a race against time to have any impact on Houston's campaign.
The Dynamo are 10th in the West and visa and quarantine requirements will delay Bajamich's arrival long beyond the Dallas match.
"There's only about five weeks left in the regular season for us," said Ramos. "So when you consider (that), I think you're looking at Mateo being a contributor a little bit more down the road."
The coach remains excited, though, and added: "There's very few clubs in the league that can afford just to get guys in their prime to come in and try to win the league right away.
"Our goal doesn't change. Like I said from the beginning, our goal is to make the playoffs so that we can win the league. That's going to be the goal every year.
"How we go about it may be a little different than other clubs, and I think the youth that Mateo brings to the club is important."
Dallas, who are sixth in the West and six points off top, have more immediate concerns.
They were frustrated last time out, though, twice losing the lead to draw 2-2 with Supporters' Shield leaders Columbus Crew.
"When you have the lead, it's your job to close the game and win it," said Luchi Gonzalez, who was particularly disappointed given his belief Dallas "showed some of our best soccer."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Houston Dynamo - Mauro Manotas
Manotas has been one of the league's leading attackers in seasons past, but this is not proving to be his year. The Colombian is without a goal in his past six appearances, in which time Houston have not recorded a victory. They are still keeping their faith in the striker, though.
FC Dallas - Franco Jara
A lack of goals from their striker has also been an issue for Dallas in recent weeks, but they have at least seen Jara deliver the goods this season. Prior to a goalless three-game stretch, he netted five times in five matches, the sort of run they need again now.
KEY OPTA FACTS
- Dallas won the previous Texas Derby 2-1 at home in mid-September to give them the all-time head-to-head advantage with 13 wins to the Dynamo's 12 (14 draws, including playoffs). The first meeting of the season, in Houston, was a scoreless draw, where Dallas have not won in their past five visits (D4 L1).
- The Dynamo's winless run extended to six (D3 L3) with a 2-1 defeat to Sporting Kansas City on Saturday. This is Houston's second six-match winless run this season, with a three-match winning streak between the two droughts.
- Only five of Dallas' 21 points have been won on the road (W1 D2 L2) this season, including a 3-2 win at Sporting KC in September. That win in Kansas City is their only victory in their past 12 MLS away matches dating back to August 2019 (D4 L7).
- Houston's past three goals have all been headed (Maynor Figueroa twice and Sam Junqua) after just two of their previous 26 MLS goals were scored via headers dating back to September 2019.
- Reto Ziegler scored from the penalty spot in Dallas' 2-2 draw with Columbus on Saturday. His past 10 MLS goals have all been scored from set-pieces, including eight penalties and two direct free-kicks.