Dynamo's Memo Rodriguez savors first MLS goal

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Memo Rodriguez's dream season continued Wednesday night with a milestone he said left him speechless.

Rodriguez previously in 2017 had signed his second MLS contract with the Dynamo, made his first-team debut, scored his first brace with Rio Grande Valley FC and scored the winning goal in the Dynamo's U.S. Open Cup opener.

All of those paled in comparison to scoring his first goal in an MLS game. Rodriguez ripped a right-footed shot into the lower left corner to give the Dynamo a 3-0 lead in the 67th minute of their win over the Montreal Impact.

He spread his arms wide and jogged to the Dynamo players warming up in the near corner and jumped into their arms. The celebration may have lacked creativity, but the joy and meaning were unmistakable.

"I didn't know what to do, where to go," Rodriguez said. "I went to my teammates because they always help me on and off the field."

Rodriguez, 21, is the second Dynamo Homegrown Player to score in league play. Alex Dixon was the first.

Houston Dynamo midfielder Memo Rodriguez (18) celebrates his goal during the second half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Wednesday, July 5, 2017, in Houston. Houston Dynamo midfielder Memo Rodriguez (18) celebrates his goal during the second half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Wednesday, July 5, 2017, in Houston. Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 6 Caption Close Dynamo's Memo Rodriguez savors first MLS goal 1 / 6 Back to Gallery

Rodriguez grew up in Wharton and attended El Campo High School. He and his mother spent hours each day driving to and from training with the Dynamo Academy. He signed his first MLS contract in 2015 and was immediately loaned to USL club Charleston Battery.

He didn't play much there and was released from his MLS contract. The Dynamo sent him to RGV FC in 2016 so he could get more playing time. Rodriguez was a critical player, scoring six goals and giving seven assists in 30 games for the USL Western Conference's runner-up team.

That was enough for him to earn a second MLS contract, which has led to a series of firsts this season under coach Wilmer Cabrera, who also coached Rodriguez with RGV FC last season.

Cabrera said Rodriguez is mature, humble, hungry and attentive to detail.

"He has been very good every time he goes on the field," Cabrera said. "He's been taking the opportunities and has been using them the best way – to bring something to the team. Today he put the cherry on top of the cake scoring that goal.

"That is going to give him more confidence. It proves that he's one of the men of this Houston Dynamo 2017 team and is pushing to be on the field at any time."

Rodriguez hopes Wednesday's goal is the first of many, but he said it will be tough to top the feeling of scoring his first goal at BBVA Compass Stadium. It is what he has been waiting for over the last six years.

"It was at home in front of my family, in front of my hometown fans, in front of our whole city," Rodriguez said. "It was a great feeling."