Signing Breakdown: Houssou Landry to Charleston
Why star midfielder Houssou Landry is a game-changer for the Charleston Battery
Houssou Landry is only just entering his prime. At age 24, the powerhouse defensive midfielder has already made more than 100 USL appearances, and he’s improved by leaps and bounds with each passing season. Now, after helping to lead New Mexico United to the top of the West, Houssou is slated to be a game-changing addition to the Charleston Battery midfield.
Houssou made his USL debut with Loudoun United while on loan from an Ivorian parent club in 2020. Impressive because of his raw tools, Houssou was acquired outright the following season. Since then, the midfielder has continued to sharpen his game, adding a sense of intention and control on top of the innate gifts.
Houssou’s elevation from mercurial prospect to consistent game-winner was a major storyline in 2024. By almost every category, the Ivorian is at least competent and more often excellent. In a high-possession New Mexico team, he took seven extra touches per game versus 2023 but was dispossessed 33% less. His long pass accuracy improved despite facing down set defenses in lower blocks.
That’s not to say that Houssou Landry is Aaron Molloy. These are fundamentally different players, but it’s the distinction that recommends them as a dynamite pair. Houssou is a more natural possessive circulator than, say, Emilio Ycaza or Chris Allan, but he’s also likelier to dig low into the box for a block or clearance. He won’t displace Molloy as Charleston’s quarterback from deep, but he’ll provide a solid “Plan B” and crucially give the all-USL midfielder more freedom to push ahead in attack.
Eric Quill and Ben Pirmann are both 4-2-3-1 adherents for the most part. Both champion possessive, ball-on-the-ground styles. It’s safe to assume that Houssou will make the tactical transition easily enough, and his tape makes the system fit all the clearer.
Houssou’s ability to carry the ball up the middle is a key to his game. The dribbling - see a 65% success rate in each of the last two years - is obvious on the stat sheet, but it’s the way the midfielder receives that sets the table. Charleston’s new star is terrific at showing into space, making himself available to pressured teammates, and doing something useful on his first touch.
That’s the case above, where Houssou drifts left to open up a lane between himself and a central defender facing down two opponents. Instead of tastefully punting the ball away, the center back can find Houssou, who receives on his right foot and immediately pushes upfield.
It’s quick, decisive, and ends with New Mexico breaking the opposing press to enter the attacking zone with momentum.
Consider another play here. In this case, United is coming up against an Indy team in a very bold 3-1-4-2 press that’s seeking to trap New Mexico before they can advance from their box into the midfield.
As the play develops, Houssou and his pivot partner Sergio Rivas - both designated in black - drop to the edge of the box and fill different vertical channels.
Houssou’s low run is timed with intention. The new Battery man is dragging his Indy marker upfield. He’s also making himself available to the left side of center back Talen Maples, circled in yellow. Essentially, Houssou’s arcing drop forces that Indy presser to close to Maples - and it thereby opens up space to receive.
That Eleven player, circled in Indy colors with his line of vision marked as being solely directed toward Maples, commits ahead. Meanwhile, Houssou stutter-steps and darts into a wide-open midfield, where he receives from Maples. From there, Houssou will push into the attacking half and nearly connect on a through.
It’s wonderfully heady navigation of a press, the sort of play that makes the 24-year-old’s fit in Charleston all the more obvious. Still, don’t get the idea that Houssou is all ball carriage and nothing more.
Last season, the midfielder completed 4.8 long balls per game to rank in the 97th percentile, with an above-average 52% accuracy to boot. He’s got a strong eye for a diagonal pass and knows when to skip lines.
Defensively, Houssou posted 1.5 combined blocks and clearances per match, placing him in the 82nd percentile of center mids. He isn’t afraid of responsibility in and around his own box. Meanwhile, the Ivorian is terrific at claiming loose balls. In 2024, he picked up 7.0 recoveries per match, one of the highest marks in the USL.
Houssou’s takeaway numbers (i.e., tackles and interceptions) weren’t as outwardly impressive during his time in Albuquerque, but that wasn’t his role. New Mexico typically wanted Houssou to hold space deeper downfield. When he needed to, say, man mark a star No. 10, Houssou was up to the task.
Here, Houssou is doing just that against all-league creator Bruno Lapa. New Mexico aligns in their typical 4-2-3-1 from the jump in order to deny opposing Memphis’ route downfield. When Lapa decides to drop low from his advanced role in order to receive and stir the drink, he’s followed by Houssou, who shows off his athleticism by recovering to the Brazilian No. 10.
Lapa receives, but he can’t progress. A backpass ensues, and United is thus able to swarm and force a reset. This play won’t show up on the stat sheet, but it’s typical of Houssou’s game.
When he actually takes the ball away, the new Charleston midfielder is uniquely able to turn takeaways into progression. We’ve hammered home the dribbling point, but Houssou’s average pass advanced play by 5.99 yards last year to boot. That’s more than any other New Mexico midfielder - or Battery midfielder, for that matter.
No matter how you slice it, Houssou Landry’s move to the Charleston Battery is a major deal. The Battery are going to be a different team in 2025 in the wake of the Nick Markanich sale, and they may need time to find their footing amidst a talent-packed re-tool.
Houssou raised the Battery’s floor thanks to his defensive chops, progressive carriage, and can’t-miss fit next to Aaron Molloy. If the 24-year-old continues his trend of improvement, he may be just the player Charleston needs to go all the way.