The Houston Dynamo announced last week that rookie goalkeeper Evan Newton has been loaned to FC Tampa Bay of the North American Soccer League to replace starting goalkeeper Daryl Sattler who suffered a season ending ACL injury.
The former Old Dominion University goalkeeper was drafted in the first round of this year’s MLS Supplemental Draft after setting several goalkeeping records at ODU. As the Dynamo's third goalkeeper, Newton has yet to see action in either MLS or reserve league play.
The young goalkeeper has trained under coach Tim Hanley and is working with goalkeepers Tally Hall and Tyler Deric in training, but the move offers Newton a chance to compete for some much needed playing time.
“There’s an opening there, and we know the director of soccer and coach very well,” said Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear. “We spoke with Tim and Evan and decided that it would be a good move.”
Newton has not appeared for the Dynamo since preseason where the young goalkeeper played sparingly with Hall and Deric getting most of the minutes. Newton will join fellow rookie Jeff Attinella – who was also selected in the supplemental draft by Real Salt Lake – in the battle to replace Sattler. The chance for playing time will benefit both Newton and the Dynamo by giving him the chance to translate his skills from the training field to competitive games.
“We’ve done it before with Tyler [Deric]; he went to Austin when their keeper got hurt in the past, and it really helped him along with some other guys,” Kinnear said. “I think it’s a good opportunity for a young goalkeeper, and I’m glad he agreed to do it.”
The loan is scheduled to extend throughout the NASL season – Tampa’s regular season ends September 24th. While Kinnear has stated in the past that he prefers to carry three goalkeepers, the club is not currently looking to sign a replacement for Newton and reserves the right to recall him if necessary during the loan.
“We’re looking forward to Evan going there and playing and getting some good reports from the coaches about him and his progress,” Kinnear said.
Darrell
Lovell covers the Houston
Dynamo for MLSsoccer.com. Follow him on twitter at @Dynamoexaminer.
