The first signing in the new era of the Houston Dynamo came on Thursday morning and instead of a big splash, it may be a glimpse into a renewed vision for the future.
Houston announced Jose “Memo” Rodriguez, an 18-year-old midfielder, as the club’s sixth homegrown signing. Rodriguez trained with the club for the final five months of the 2014 season while participating with the club’s under-23 team.
That development has been a key part of Houston’s new plan going forward. General manager Matt Jordan spoke in his first meeting with the Houston press about bridging the gap between the Academy and senior roster.
With plans to operate a USL-Pro side in 2016 on the way, the question remains where will developing players like Rodriguez get their playing time in 2015.
“Right now we’re looking at different affiliation options,” Jordan said later. “Sometimes there’s teams that have a need to do a loan that’s not part of your affiliation and sometimes there’s a positional need with your affiliation. It’s important to take it on a case-by-case basis.
“The important thing is meaningful games,” Jordan continued. “There’s a substantial gap from the U-18 level to the pro level. The USL-Pro affiliation, whether it be a stand-alone or affiliation, is a good way to bridge that gap.”
Where Rodriguez will cut his teeth in 2015 is still unknown, but his signing is a step in the right direction. A player cultivated and brought into the system under former head coach Dominic Kinnear, the move is a sign that the club is following through on their stated commitment of dedicating time and resources to the player development side.
Spending five months training with the club bolstered intent to sign the 18-year-old, and will make for an easier transition for him moving full-time into the life of a professional.
“I think the players played a major part in him signing,” said James Clarkson, director of youth development. “It’s a competitive environment and if you’re not very good they’ll work it out very quickly. For him to stay in like he did before sign shows the regard the other guys hold him in.”
“I’m ready to learn from veteran players,” Rodriguez said. “Sometimes Luis Garrido would tell me to get stuck into tackles and be strong and physical. Other times Giles Barnes would see me get bodied off the ball and he would tell me to put my hands up and be strong.”
That time could help Rodriguez be the first homegrown field player to break into a regular role with the club. Houston’s track record with homegrown signings has been troubling with four of the first five no longer being with the club.
Outside of Tyler Deric, who just now is taking the goalkeeper reigns, previous signings found time on the pitch in any competitive environment tough to come by and struggled to integrate into the professional game.
Between his skill and familiarity with the team — he also trained with the senior side in 2013 and played a handful of MLS Reserve League matches — the belief is Rodriguez, if given minutes, could break the mold.
“I think Memo is much better prepared because he’s been around [the first team] for a total of eight or nine months,” Clarkson said. “He’s had a much closer look at it and I think that helps close the gap.”
Darrell Lovell covers the Houston Dynamo for MLSsoccer.com.
