The Houston Dynamo announced on Thursday the signing of 18-year-old Dynamo Academy product Jose “Memo” Rodriguez to a Homegrown Player contract.
A 5-foot-8, 142-pound central midfielder from Wharton, Texas, Rodriguez is the sixth player from the Dynamo's youth academy to sign a professional contract with the first team. Per team and league policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Rodriguez joined the academy in 2011 after he was identified through a Dynamo Academy ID camp. He was named Dynamo Academy Players’ Player of the Year in 2012 and 2013 and helped guide the club's U-18 squad to the U.S. Soccer Development Academy playoffs in 2013.
“Signing a contract with the Dynamo is like a dream come true,” Rodriguez said in a statement.
“I know that I have a lot of work ahead of me, but I am devoted to becoming the best professional soccer player I can be. I am happy to stay here in Houston and that my family will be able to come see me play when I gain playing time.”
He appeared in five MLS Reserve League games (three starts) in 2013 and was an unused substitute in two games in 2012. He trained with the Dynamo first team in the summers of 2013 and 2014 and was a member of the inaugural Dynamo Academy U-23 team this summer.
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“I am very proud of Memo and his development over the last four years,” Dynamo director of youth development James Clarkson said. “He has sacrificed a lot to make this happen.”
Since 2007, six players have signed Dynamo homegrown contracts: goalkeeper Tyler Deric, midfielders Francisco Navas Cobo, Alex Dixon and Josue Soto and forward Bryan Salazar.
