Houston Dynamo sign 17-year-old Daniel Rios as Homegrown Player

HOUSTON – The Houston Dynamo signed Academy product Daniel Rios to a Homegrown Player contract that is effective January 1, 2021, the club announced today.

The 17-year-old is the 14th Dynamo Academy Alumnus to sign a Homegrown Player contract, and the second-youngest to sign after his younger teammate Juan Castilla signed on June 15. Rios joined the Academy in 2013 as a 10-year-old and recently captained the U-17 squad at the Generation adidas Cup final qualification tournament in February. It marked the first time in Club history that the U-17 team qualified for the final round of the prestigious youth tournament.

“We are very proud to see Danny Rios take this important next step in his career. Danny has earned this opportunity through his dedication, commitment and play on the field,” said Dynamo Senior Vice President and General Manager Matt Jordan. “Our Academy and First Team staffs have done a great job helping these young men develop both on and off the field and Danny’s development is a testament to this work and direction we are moving in as a club.”

The Houston native was one of four Academy players selected by head coach Tab Ramos to join the Dynamo for the 2020 preseason earlier this year. The forward was also one of several Academy players invited to participate in First Team training sessions at the end of the 2019 MLS season.

“Danny is a Houstonian who has been in the Academy since he was very young, which makes this extra special.  Many wonderful coaches, family members and mentors have helped him along the way,” Dynamo Academy Director Paul Holocher said. “On the field, Danny has been very deliberate in his own development, focusing on his strengths and identifying areas to improve. His goal is to become an even more complete player.”

Last season with the Academy, the forward/midfielder spent most of his time with the U-19 team and scored four goals in 11 appearances during the abbreviated campaign, adding another goal for the U-17s in the Generation adidas Cup. He has found the net nearly 40 times for the Dynamo during his four years in the Academy.

Rios has also competed at the youth international level, most recently in 2019 when he joined the U.S. U-16 Boys’ National Team talent identification training camp in California.

Rios will be eligible to play for the Dynamo in January 2021, but will train with the First Team for the remainder of the year while competing with the Dynamo Academy.

TRANSACTION: The Houston Dynamo sign Daniel Rios to Homegrown Player pre-contract on Friday, July 10, 2020, which will take effect on Jan. 1, 2021.

DANIEL RIOS PROFILE  

Full Name: Daniel Esteban Rios
Position: Forward
Height: 5-10
Weight: 145 lbs
Date of Birth: March 29, 2003
Birthplace: Houston, Texas
Hometown: Houston, Texas
FIFA Nationality: United States
Last Club: Dynamo Academy U-17
How Acquired: Signed to a Homegrown Player pre-contract on Friday, July 10, 2020, which will take effect on Jan. 1, 2021.