Add two more names to the quickly growing list of Homegrown Players in MLS. The Houston Dynamo announced the twin signings of Josue Soto and Alex Dixon, giving them a four HGPs. Since the rule was implemented in 2006, 29 players have been signed under the rule, 19 of them since March 2010. They also represent what appears to be a growing trend, as three of the last five HGPs have attended at least some college. Prior to Ethan White's signing in December, just one other HGP had first played in college.
Houston Dynamo Sign Two More Homegrown Players
Soto (22) and Dixon (21) are the two oldest Homegrown Players, with Soto being the first to have finished college before signing. Three of the Dynamo's HGPs, in fact, have attended at least some college. Soto played at Campbell University in North Carolina and at SMU, Dixon played three years at the University of North Carolina and goalkeeper Tyler Deric, who was signed in 2009, played three years at UNC. Francisco Navas, the Dynamo's other HGP, first played professionally for Colombian team Deportivo Cali.
Soto, a 5-foot-9 midfielder, has been playing with the Dynamo Academy since it opened in 2007. He scored seven goals and registered seven assists and led SMU to the NCAA quarterfinals during his senior year.
Dixon, a 5-foot-8 forward, emerged as a starter his sophomore year. After scoring five goals, but starting just once his freshman year, he started 20 games and scored eight goals his sophomore year. Injuries limited his effectiveness his junior year when he scored one goal, but still helped lead UNC to the semifinals of the NCAA tournament.
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