MLS Houston Dynamo FC

Dynamo Sign Houston Native Bryan Salazar to Homegrown Contract

Published on February 14, 2013 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Houston Dynamo FC News Release


HOUSTON, TX (Thursday, February 14, 2013) -- The Houston Dynamo announced today they have signed Dynamo Academy forward Bryan Salazar to a homegrown contract. Salazar becomes the fifth player from the Dynamo Academy, presented by Statoil, to sign a professional contract with the Dynamo first team. Per team and league policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Salazar, a senior at Fort Bend Bush High School, has been in the Dynamo program for six years, having progressed from the Dynamo Junior Academy as a 13-year-old up to playing for the Dynamo U-18 squad over the past two years. The Houston native has traveled with the Academy to tournaments in El Salvador, Mexico and the Netherlands and was part of the Dynamo Academy U-16 squad that won the 2010 Dallas Cup.

"When I joined the Junior Academy six years ago, I was told this was my chance to become a professional soccer player and I'm excited this day has arrived," Salazar said. "I want to thank everyone at the Dynamo Academy that has helped me achieve my dream of playing for the Dynamo and I look forward to continuing my career under Dominic Kinnear."

This season, Salazar has scored nine goals in 14 games for a Dynamo U-18 squad that has won seven of its last nine matches and is in second place in its division. The 5-foot-9 winger scored five goals in three matches at the USSF Development Academy Winter Showcase in December, including two goals each against the Portland Timbers and San Jose Earthquakes U-18 squads.

"Bryan is an exciting young player," said Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear. "When he gets the ball, he is not afraid to run at defenders. He has put up some good numbers with our Academy teams and I think he has a very promising future. We want him to succeed as a person and a professional and we will do everything we can to make sure that happens."

As part of the agreement, Salazar will finish high school and continue to play with the Dynamo Academy before joining the Dynamo full time this summer. Salazar is tentatively scheduled to travel to Charleston with the team this weekend for their first match of the Carolina Challenge Cup.

The Dynamo Academy, presented by Statoil, was launched in 2007 as a way to develop local talent in the Houston area with the goal of signing players to the Dynamo. Since 2007, four players have been signed to Dynamo homegrown contracts: goalkeeper Tyler Deric and midfielders Francisco Navas Cobo, Alex Dixon and Josue Soto. Deric recently re-signed with the Dynamo after leading the team to a first place finish in the 2012-13 CONCACAF Champions League group stage.

"We are very excited about this signing," said Ola Morten Aanestad, Vice President of Communications, Statoil North America. "Enabling young talents to develop and reach their potential is the goal of Statoil's 'Heroes of Tomorrow' sponsorship strategy. We are impressed with Bryan Salazar's dedicated efforts and we are proud to have supported the Dynamo Academy that has helped him develop. We wish him and Dynamo good luck with the season."

Check out the Houston Dynamo FC Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Major League Soccer Stories from February 14, 2013


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central