Houston Dynamo FC exercised the option to purchase Panamanian international midfielder Adalberto “Coco” Carrasquilla from FC Cartagena in Spain’s LaLiga 2, the clubs announced today. Carrasquilla will remain with the Dynamo through the remainder of the year and has a guaranteed contract through the 2024 season with one option year.
“Coco is one of the most exciting young talents in MLS who believes in the direction this club is heading, so securing his future with the Dynamo was one of our top priorities this summer,” Dynamo general manager Pat Onstad said. “We appreciate the support of Ted Segal and our entire ownership group to continue investing in our roster. Coco has a bright future ahead of him and we appreciate that he and his family are excited about remaining in Houston.”
Carrasquilla joined the Dynamo on loan from FC Cartagena on Aug. 5, 2021 and made his Dynamo and MLS debut against Minnesota United on Aug. 8. The midfielder finished with seven starts in 10 appearances for the team in 2021. The two-way midfielder scored the fastest goal of the season in 2021 when he tallied in the opening goal 56 seconds into the match against Minnesota United on Aug. 28 at PNC Stadium.
The 23-year-old has appeared in all 10 games for the Dynamo this season. He generated the equalizer in Houston’s 2-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps on March 12 at PNC Stadium. His assist against the Whitecaps was one of the eight chances created by the Panamanian international this season, tied for second highest mark on the team.
Internationally, Carrasquilla is an emerging star for one of the top teams in CONCACAF. Since making his international debut as a 19-year-old in Panama’s 1-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago on April 18, 2018, he has earned 30 appearances for Los Canaleros and competed in the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup at PNC Stadium.
He was a key contributor in Panama’s fifth place finish in the final stage of 2022 World Cup Qualifying, appearing in 16 matches during the qualifying campaign. He will look to be an integral part of Panama’s Concacaf Nations League campaign starting later this fall.
Carrasquilla made his professional debut in his native Panama for Tauro FC in 2018. The Panama City native won the 2018-2019 Apertura title with Tauro FC after a 2-1 victory over Costa del Este on Dec. 1, 2018. In 2019, Carrasquilla moved to FC Cartagena and became a mainstay at the club, earning 49 appearances and assisting in the club’s promotion to LaLiga 2 in 2020.
