Mauro Manotas (#19) celebrates with his teammates after scoring the third goal, his second of the game, in the Dynamo’s 3-1 win over the Dynamo Academy U18s. Victor Araiza / Prost Amerika
Mauro Manotas may not begin the season in the starting lineup but the 20-year-old Colombian is making his case to be in Head Coach Owen Coyle’s starting XI. Manotas scored a brace in the first half of Tuesday’s scrimmage to lead Houston Dynamo to a 3-1 win over the Houston Dynamo Academy Under-18s.
“My goal this year is to play, to have plenty of minutes and score goals which is the most important thing,” said Manotas. “I must continue to work in the best way and hope that coach sees the work that is being accomplished and have me in mind at the beginning of the season and for the starting lineup.”
Manotas has now summed up five goals this preseason: one against the Portland Timbers, two against Houston Baptist University and another brace against the Dynamo Academy. He is also the only player on the roster to have scored multiple goals this preseason off open plays (Erick Torres and Cristian Maidana have each scored from the penalty spot to help the sum two goals this preseason).
With the Dynamo having finished the 2015 season with a -7 goal differential, goals scored will need to be an area of improvement. If Manotas is the answer, only time will tell.
A big reason forwards Giles Barnes and Will Bruin didn’t appear on the score sheet is because they didn’t participate in Tuesday’s scrimmage. Head Coach Owen Coyle also rested Tyler Deric, Joe Willis, Sheanon Williams, Raul Rodriguez, DaMarcus Beasley, Andrew Wenger, Alex Lima, and Oscar Boniek Garcia.
Ricardo Clark was back on the field for the Houston Dynamo in the 3-1 victory over Dynamo Academy U18s. Victor Araiza / Prost Amerika
One player who was no longer rested from preseason action was Ricardo Clark, who made his preseason debut. Clark looked to be in good form and was a vital piece for the Dynamo last season.
Rio Grande Valley FC signing Juan “Charly” Flores featured in his second preseason match with the Houston Dynamo on Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at Houston Sports Park. Victor Araiza / Prost Amerika
Several of the younger players also benefited from the veterans getting rest. MLS SuperDraft pick T.J. Casner, 2015 Chipotle Homegrown Game participant Guillermo “Memo” Rodriguez, new homegrown signing Christian Lucatero and Rio Grande Valley FC signing Juan “Charly” Flores all saw minutes in the second half.
“It’s a very good experience to be playing alongside players with great talent like ‘Cubo’ Torres and Giles Barnes,” said RGVFC signing Charly Flores on his preseason spell with the Houston Dynamo first team. “It’s perfect [for me]to get better and learn from them for my future.”
The Houston Dynamo will travel to Tucson, Arizona to play in the 2016 Desert Diamond Cup before returning to Houston to begin the Major League Soccer season on March 6th against the New England Revolution. The next preseason match is this Saturday against the Colorado Rapids, kickoff is at 8 p.m. CT and will be broadcast online at HoustonDynamo.com.
