Only 24 hours after departing their Caribbean islands, Lester Peltier of Trinidad and Tobago and Steven Morrissey of Jamaica could hardly believe the weather as they began their two-week tryouts with the Dynamo.
The chilly conditions weren't ideal for anybody around the city, much less a pair of speedy attacking players trying to make an impression only a day after leaving beach paradises.
"It's difficult because I came in yesterday and it was hot," said Peltier, an attacking midfielder. "I woke up to come to (the training) session and I can't even breathe in the session. I'm definitely going to have to get accustomed to it during the two weeks."
Coach Dominic Kinnear hopes to bring in at least 10 players on tryouts this preseason as he attempts to improve the roster. The Dynamo would love to find an attacking midfielder, a speedy forward and perhaps a center back.
Because of the weather, it was difficult for Morrissey or Peltier to impress, but they'll get an opportunity today when the Dynamo hold two sessions inside the Texans' bubble.
"Very hard to tell as the weather was very tough," Kinnear said when asked about Peltier and Morrissey. "We'll find out more in these games coming up, but right now it was hard. It was windy and cold. They worked hard, but it's hard to tell.
"I don't mind the cold, but the wind kind of ruins everything." said Peltier, 22, who arrived in Houston for his first tryout since he worked out with Portsmouth in 2007, when that club was in the English Premier League.
Portsmouth offered the midfielder a contract, but he couldn't sign because he couldn't secure a work permit.
The disappointment over the failure to land in England affected Peltier's confidence, and he didn't bother seeking any trials until now.
"Of course, after that it was really difficult for me as a player," he said. "I didn't want to come out because my confidence was kind of low. I started playing. I'm a regular player on my national team and I look forward to playing with Houston and showcase the skills that I have."
By comparison, Morrissey's résumé is modest.
Morrissey, 24, hasn't earned a senior cap for Jamaica, but he was a member of the under-17 national team at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2003. He also was a member of his U-20 national team for the CONCACAF U-20 Championships in 2005.
Morrissey is off to a strong start this season with Portmore United with a league-leading 10 goals. Like Peltier, Morrissey's pace is key.
"A lot of speed and I try to score as much as possible," said Morrissey, who will try to join Jamaican national team midfielder Lovel Palmer on the Dynamo.
"Well, it's a good feeling to know somebody from back home that's playing for a team over here,"