Leonel Miranda (left) and David Rocha (right) feature in the Houston Dynamo starting lineup against Real Sociedad at BBVA Compass Stadium on Tuesday, May 24, 2016 in Houston. (Victor Araiza/Prost Amerika)
HOUSTON (Tuesday, July 5, 2016) — A day after the Major League Soccer secondary transfer window officially opened, reports out of the Houston Chronicle and KXLN indicate that the Houston Dynamo have begun to modify their roster.
Corey Roepken, the primary soccer writer for the Houston Chronicle, and Lester Gretsch, Sports Anchor at KXLN – Univision 45 and the former Sr. Director, Communications & Broadcasting for the Dynamo from 2006-2015, tweeted about the departures on Tuesday:
Also, @HoustonDynamo MF Leonel Miranda will also be leaving the club. His loan from @caindependiente expired. No agreement was reached.
— Lester Gretsch (@elgretsch) July 5, 2016
David Rocha will have his contract terminated by mutual consent. Returning to Spain to be closer to family for his wife, who is expecting.
— Corey Roepken (@RipSports) July 5, 2016
Leonel Miranda also is leaving the Dynamo. His loan from Argentina club C.A. Independiente has expired and no agreement was reached.
— Corey Roepken (@RipSports) July 5, 2016
Subtraction of Miranda and Rocha leave Dynamo with 22 players who are not on loan. I expect some additions in the near future.
— Corey Roepken (@RipSports) July 5, 2016
The two roster subtractions brings the count down to 24 (out of a maximum of 28) spots filled. The moves also free up two international player spots, bringing that count down to five.
The MLS secondary transfer window closes on August 3.
Leonel Miranda (center) features in the Houston Dynamo’s 4-1 loss to LA Galaxy at BBVA Compass Stadium on Friday, April 15, 2016 in Houston. (Victor Araiza/Prost Amerika)
Leonel Miranda
2016 salary: $62,500.00
Leonel Miranda, 22, arrived on loan from his boyhood club Club Atlético Independiente on January 8, 2015 and his stay in Houston was extended this past January.
“Lolo” started 12 games in MLS play, scoring 3 goals and providing 2 assists in 32 appearances.
In 2015, Miranda made 20 appearances (11 starts) in MLS and played started in all three U.S. Open Cup encounters, scoring his first goal with the Dynamo vs. Austin Aztex. Miranda finished his first season with two Dynamo team awards: the Young Player of the Year (23 and under) and the Goal of the Year for his chip versus the LA Galaxy on July 25, 2015.
Through this season, Miranda summed up 484 minutes in 12 MLS matches (3 starts) and provided a goal and an assist through that stretch. He also featured as in both U.S. Open Cup matches this season, going full 90 in the two encounters and scoring a goal vs. San Antonio FC.
Miranda featured as a starter in both the 2015 Dynamo Charities Cup match vs. Liga MX club Santos Laguna and the 2016 edition vs. La Liga side Real Sociedad. The Dynamo secured the invitational cup on both encounters, Miranda’s only silverware with Houston.
“We worked very hard to keep Leonel here,” Dynamo VP/GM Matt Jordan said to the Houston Chronicle concerning Miranda’s departure. “These loan situations have a lot of layers. A lot of factors go into the equation.”
This saga may not be over yet, however, as Carlos Maidana, Editor of InfieroRojo.com (a blog covering Club Atlético Independiente), reports the expired loan with Houston Dynamo along with the details that Miranda’s contract with Independiente expires this weekend.
Leonel Miranda no sigue en el Houston Dynamo MLS. Tenía contrato hasta el 30/6 y no renovó. El fin de semana rescinde con Independiente.
— Carlos Maidana (@CarlitosMaidana) July 6, 2016
The translation of his tweet is as follows:
“Leonel Miranda does not continue in the Houston Dynamo MLS. He had a contract until 6/30 and did not renew. Rescinds this weekend with Independiente.“
If this is true, Miranda would become a free agent and be able to sign a permanent contract with Houston or any other club of his choosing. He could also sign an extension with Independiente before the current contract expires, then Dynamo could ask for another loan if they so choose.
Houston Dynamo newcomer David Rocha featured in his first preseason match on Saturday, February 13, 2016 in Houston. Victor Araiza / Prost Amerika.
David Rocha
2016 salary: $100,000.00
David Rocha, 31, was signed as a discovery player on January 27, 2016. He played 57 minutes throughout 4 matches in MLS play, all as a substitute.
“I came here to play, and I wasn’t playing much,” Rocha said in an interview with the Houston Chronicle. “I had a great time here. Everybody treated me well, even people outside of the club.”
Arriving midway through preseason, the Spanish midfielder was a reinforcement to Owen Coyle’s squad as the then-Dynamo head coach was entering his second season at the helm. Coyle left the Dynamo in late May.
His only goal for the Dynamo came off a free kick in the 22nd minute in the 2016 BBVA Compass Charities Cup match vs. La Liga’s Real Sociedad, Owen Coyle’s last match as manager. Rocha started in the friendly encounter that ended 3-3 and converted his shot in the proceeding penalty shootout to help the Dynamo lift its fifth Charities Cup.
Rocha’s biggest contributions came in in the 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, providing 3 assists in 2 starts (going full 90 in both matches) to help the Dynamo progress to the quarterfinals. The Dynamo will host FC Dallas in that quarterfinal match on July 20.
Born in Cáceres, Rocha began his career playing for his hometown Cacereño before moving on to Villarreal B, Cartagena, a second stint at Cacereño, Albacete, Gimnàstic de Tarragona and the Houston Dynamo. Rocha’s stint with Houston was his only one with a non-Spanish club.
One possible destination for Rocha is La Liga 2 club Cádiz CF, newly promoted from the third tier. According to Portal Cadista, Enrique Ortiz (General Manager at Cádiz) was Rocha’s agent in 2013 when the player opted to sign for Gimnástic over Cádiz.
Update: Wednesday, July 6, 2016
- The club has released an official statement on the departure of Rocha and Miranda, available on HoustonDynamo.com.
- Spanish Journalist Pablo García-Cuervo of Radio Marca Asturias has reported that David Rocha has entered an agreement to play for La Liga 2 side Real Oviedo. Tweet link (Spanish)
Update: Monday, July 11, 2016
La Liga 2 side Real Oviedo have revealed David Rocha as a new signing ahead of the 2016-17 season. He has begun training with the team (the club began their preseason camp Monday) and will be presented as a new signing at a press conference on Tuesday.
David Rocha, nuevo jugador del #RealOviedo https://t.co/MjdJ383r8u #BienvenidoRocha pic.twitter.com/v6o7SefsTC
— Real Oviedo (@RealOviedo) July 11, 2016
Update: Monday, July 25, 2016
Leonel Miranda signed with Argentina Primera Division side Defensa y Justicia on a free transfer from Independiente. It was reported that after his loan with Houston Dynamo concluded, Independiente and Miranda agreed on a mutual termination of his contract.
Leonel Miranda que llega libre de Independiente firmo el contrato que liga a #DefensaYJusticia pic.twitter.com/en0oyDsaTU
— Defensa y Justicia (@ClubDefensayJus) July 25, 2016
Victor Araiza is a beat writer covering the Houston Dynamo for Prost Amerika.
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