TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS:Re-signing
The Houston Dynamo announced on Friday they have signed forward Mauro Manotas to a new three-year contract, good through the 2021 season.
The 23-year-old is entering his fifth season with the Dynamo, having scored 35 goals and seven assists in 97 MLS regular-season appearances, plus one goal in four MLS Cup Playoffs games. All told, he's scored 46 goals across all competitions for the Dynamo to date.
“As a club we are extremely pleased to secure a new long term agreement with Mauro. He is one of the most talented young strikers in MLS, who at just 23 years old has a tremendous amount of upside and is motivated to contribute to the success of the Houston Dynamo moving forward,” said Dynamo senior vice president and general manager Matt Jordan in a team statement. “This extension demonstrates our club’s commitment to identifying, developing and investing in talented young players who are eager to make an impact.”
Manotas, a U-20 Colombian international, helped the Dynamo win the 2018 U.S. Open Cup, including scoring two goals in the final, as they won their first major silverware in over a decade.
“I think it’s very important news for everyone,” Cabrera said. “First, for Mauro, he can focus on his game, continuing to improve, and continuing to look to score goals which is what he wants and what he likes the most. For the team, we have a top scorer, a player that is young and scores goals. Every team loves to have a top scorer. And for the club, because they need to feel proud about their most important player being young and a top scorer.”
Houston open their 2019 MLS regular season slate on March 2 against Real Salt Lake at BBVA Compass Stadium.
