David Horst's long, unpredictable journey has made him into a important piece on the Dynamo backline

Since the December 2013 trade sent David Horst from the Portland Timbers to the Houston Dynamo, the sturdy center back has appeared in 76 regular season games, all but six during his three seasons with the club. A 93 percent appearance rate seems apropos for a longtime starter, expensive import or blue chip prospect, but “pleasant surprise” is probably more applicable for Horst and the Dynamo.

Horst was raised in Pine Grove, Pennsylvania, a town with a population of 2,158 in Schuylkill County, halfway between Allentown and Harrisburg. Football, wrestling or even hockey were easier avenues for youthful exuberance, but David’s parents, Linda and Robert, steered their children clear of football…