Ex-Dynamo Christian Lucatero signs with Liga MX’s Necaxa

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The Dynamo have lost perhaps their most prized homegrown player in franchise history.

Christian Lucatero has signed a contract with Liga MX club Necaxa. His signing with North America’s top league comes just one month after the Dynamo offered him a USL contract.

Lucatero, a 20-year old attacking midfielder who graduated from Pasadena High School, signed a Homegrown contract with the Dynamo on Aug. 18, 2015. He was the Dynamo Academy’s Player of the Year in 2013 and the Players’ Player of the Year in 2014.

He was named USSDA Central Conference Player of the Year after scoring 26 goals in 27 games with the Dynamo Academy U-18 team in 2015. His 26 goals were tied for fifth in the nation.

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Though he had an MLS contract through the end of 2017, he played for the Dynamo’s USL affiliate Rio Grande Valley FC in 2016 and 2017. He occasionally trained with the Dynamo during that time but never played in an MLS or U.S. Open Cup game.

Houston Dynamo midfielder Christian Lucatero (29) on the field during practice before action between the between the Houston Dynamo and the San Jose Earthquakes during an MLS soccer game at BBVA Compass, Sunday, July 31, 2016, in Houston. (Juan DeLeon/for the Houston Chronicle) less Houston Dynamo midfielder Christian Lucatero (29) on the field during practice before action between the between the Houston Dynamo and the San Jose Earthquakes during an MLS soccer game at BBVA Compass, ... more Photo: Juan DeLeon, FRE Photo: Juan DeLeon, FRE Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Ex-Dynamo Christian Lucatero signs with Liga MX’s Necaxa 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

Lucatero, who has been selected to United States and Mexico national team camps, started in two of his 18 USL appearances in 2016. In 2017, he appeared in 15 matches and started seven times.

The Toros played 62 regular season games during that span.

As part of a short direct message conversation with the Chronicle via Twitter, Lucatero said he felt like he was in a ‘tough situation.’

“I thought I was there to play and make mistakes and learn from them because in the end that’s how you get better – playing consistently and learning from mistakes,” Lucatero said. “So, to me, it just felt like developing me wasn’t important in a way.”

Dynamo general manager Matt Jordan said the transition from playing with an academy to a professional team is a major one.

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“That transition was significant the first year (for Lucatero),” Jordan said. “This last year, Luca was given more opportunities to play. That’s a normal process for a young professional.”

The Dynamo had one more option year on Lucatero’s contract for the 2018 season but declined it in favor of offering him a contract with Rio Grande Valley FC. Jordan said the club did not see Lucatero getting consistent minutes with the first team because of the attacking pieces it already has in Tomas Martinez, Mauro Manotas, Alberth Elis and Romell Quioto.

Jordan pointed to the success Homegrown Player Memo Rodriguez had with the same pathway to the first team. Rodriguez also was released from his Homegrown contract before the 2016 season and offered a USL contract.

Rodriguez played nearly every game for RGV FC in 2016 and was most productive attacking player. Rodriguez turned that performance into an MLS contract with the Dynamo in 2017. Rodriguez had two goals and one assist in nine MLS appearances before suffering an injury in September.

“It is a global game,” Jordan said. “Every MLS club goes through situations similar to this. We’re no different. Luca is a talented player. We respect his decision and we wish him nothing but the best. He has a bright future. We understand the decision.

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“This boils down to we didn’t see him getting consistent minutes. We felt it was important for him to get consistent playing time to keep developing.”

Consistent playing time is what ultimately convinced Lucatero to sign with Necaxa. He said he does not want to let another year go by without much game time at such a crucial stage in his career. He said he picked Necaxa over ‘a couple more’ offers.

“I’m really excited because it’s a league I grew up watching,” Lucatero said. “I get to now be a part of a club that will give me the opportunity to keep getting better day in and day out and hopefully soon making my debut.”