This time last year Mauro Manotas was a flicker on the radar of the Dynamo starting XI.
With nine appearances and a meager 102 minutes over one season on his MLS profile, Manotas had a crowded depth chart to climb if he was going to make an impact.
Proven attackers Giles Barnes, Will Bruin and Erick Torres all seemed to have a leg up, and in former coach Owen Coyle's 4-2-3-1 formation there was room on the pitch only for one.
By the end of the season, however, Manotas was the one at the top. He took advantage of his late season opportunity and ended the year tied for the team lead with six goals.