This week, the Houston Dynamo signed former academy product, Nico Lemoine. He helps to show that the academy project at the club is having an impact.
This week, the Houston Dynamo added another young prospect from the USL club, Rio Grande Valley FC Toros. Nico Lemoine arrives with the Dynamo in time for the MLS is Back tournament in Orlando in July and could be in line to travel with the squad. Primarily, though, he will focus on his development as he looks to carve out a role for himself in the squad.
Lemoine was a standout for the Dynamo under-19 Academy team. He joined the Toros in 2019 and scored his first goal against the Tulsa Roughnecks in March in only his second appearance. He played 754 minutes in 19 Toro games last year, starting in seven of them. He collected two goals, an assist, conceded 13 fouls and five yellow cards.
Dynamo president and general manager Matt Jordan recognized Lemoine as someone who will create chances in the wide areas of the pitch, even as he continues to develop as a player. He said:
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"“We are pleased to add Nico to our roster as we prepare to re-start our season heading into the Orlando tournament. He is a player who spent the preseason with the First Team and showed he has the ability to effectively create chances in the wide areas of the field. Nico has worked his way up through our system, and at just 20 years old we look forward to seeing his continued development.”"
When asked to define himself as a player, Lemoine highlighted one key area that he believes he shines in:
"“I like to consider myself as a player who likes to go against one vs one and take players on. I like to consider myself a dangerous player and hopefully I can provide some goals and assists for the team.”"
Supporters can expect his development to progress quickly, both through the efforts of the coaching staff, which has made it clear that they want to coach and improve the talent they have available to them, and thanks to Lemoine’s own work ethic. This was proven by how quickly he moved through the Academy ranks.
Nico Lemoine (Rio Grande Valley) with a Goal vs. Sacramento Republic, 09/15/2019 pic.twitter.com/CevJydtzbK
— Rio Grande Valley FC Toros (@RGVFC) September 15, 2019
The Pleasanton, California product spent time from 2015-2018 in Bay Area academy play. There he transitioned from the forward position in his last season. He did not focus on the midfield position until his 2017-2018 stint with the under-18 and under-19 San Jose Earthquakes.
Lemoine is the latest in a long line of Academy products breaking into the Houston Dynamo set-up. He joins defender Erik McCue, midfielder Marcelo Palomino, and midfielder Memo Rodriguez as the fourth in the squad. That is an illustration of the work the Dynamo have put into their youth development program, and it will pay dividends in the long run. And he said that his time in the academy was impactful on the rest of his career and development:
"“Playing in the academy, it was a short stint, playing under Kenny Bundy, Jason Burrow and Paul Holocher help out. I learned a lot under their coaching time. It was great playing in there. I got good matches.”"
Whether he is ready to make an impact at the MLS level or not remains to be seen. For now, though, his promotion into the Houston Dynamo senior squad is a major step in his development and it shows that the Dynamo youth project is doing something right.