Dynamo acquire midfielder Yair Arboleda Quinones

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While growing up and playing soccer in Colombia, Yair Arboleda Quinones watched MLS on television. The next time he watches a game it will be in the United States, and it might be a replay of a game in which he played.

The Dynamo on Friday announced the acquisition of Arboleda, a 20-year old midfielder, on loan from Independiente Santa Fe of Colombia's first division. The loan lasts through the end of 2016. At that point the Dynamo will have the option to buy him.

"It is tough to leave your country, but I have to make the best of my opportunity," Arboleda said through a translator after training with the team on Friday. "I am very grateful to be here."

Dynamo interim coach Wade Barrett said the club likes him for his excellent pace and good attacking mind. The Dynamo view Arboleda as a player with raw talent that they hope to develop.

"(The move) is something that can help us in the short term and something we would like to look at moving forward" Barrett said. "He has a ton of potential."

Arboleda rose through the youth academy of Independiente Santa Fe, one of Colombia's most successful clubs with eight league titles. Arbolda joined Club Tijuana in 2014 and scored five goals in 12 appearances for the Tijuana reserves.

He returned to Santa Fe in 2015 and scored one goal in six appearances with the first team.

New Dynamo acquisition Yair Arboleda Quinones (center) practices with the team Friday morning. New Dynamo acquisition Yair Arboleda Quinones (center) practices with the team Friday morning. Photo: Courtesy Nigel Brooks Photo: Courtesy Nigel Brooks Image 1 of / 17 Caption Close Dynamo acquire midfielder Yair Arboleda Quinones 1 / 17 Back to Gallery

Dynamo vice president and general manager Matt Jordan said he has been tracking Arboleda for "quite some time."

"We do a lot of work in South and Central America," Jordan said. "When the opportunity came to add him on loan we felt it was an opportunity we needed to take advantage of."

If Arboleda develops into a star in MLS he would not be the first Colombian to do so. Perhaps the biggest Colombian to flourish in the league recently is Fabian Castillo, who FC Dallas recently was transferred to Turkey's Trabonzspor potentially for $4 million.

Other Colombian standouts currently in MLS include Michael Barrios (FC Dallas), Diego Chara (Portland), Jimmy Medranda (Sporting Kansas City) and Jamison Olave (Real Salt Lake). Colombians' success in the league dates all the way back to 1996 with Carlos Valderrama.

"I have been aware of the Colombian influence in the league, but I want to do my own thing," Arboleda said. "I want to set my own pace and go my own route."

Arboleda is the second player the Dynamo have added during the summer transfer window. Earlier this wek they acquired midfielder Eric Alexander from the Montreal Impact in exchange for general and targeted allocation money.

The Dynamo on Friday also announced the addition of a friendly to the schedule in September. Houston will play host to Chivas, an 11-time champion of Liga MX. The game is scehduled for Sept. 4 and will kick off at 6 p.m.

Corey Roepken is a freelance writer.