It was a busy weekend for three Houston Dynamo players currently on loan in the lower divisions. Chandler Hoffman scored his first goal of his loan spell, Memo Rodriguez started and Zach Steinberger made another appearance.
Hoffman, who scored 14 goals in 19 games with LA Galaxy II in 2014, tallied his first goal and first assist in his fourth appearance with Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC after joining the USL club on July 29. His efforts allowed the Switchbacks to secure a point at home in a 3-3 draw against Sacramento Republic FC. Hoffman joined Colorado following five regular season appearances and two U.S. Open Cup starts for the Dynamo. The Switchbacks currently sit in second place in the Western Conference with 39 points, one point shy of conference leaders, Oklahoma City Energy FC, with only six games left in the season. Next up, the Switchbacks will face Seattle Sounders FC 2 on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Rodriguez played 67 minutes in his 14th appearance this season as the Charleston Battery came from behind in the 89th minute to leave with a 1-1 draw against Saint Louis FC. Rodriguez has been with Charleston all season and was recently part of the 2015 MLS Homegrown Game’s starting 11, where he assisted on Tommy Thompson’s goal in a penalty shootout against the Club América U-20 squad. With six games left in their season, the Battery sit in third place in the Eastern Conference as they travel to face Saint Louis FC again on Thursday.
Finally, Steinberger made another appearance for Indy 11 as a substitute in the 73rd minute of their 4-1 loss to league leaders, Ottawa Fury FC on Aug. 8. Steinberger joined Indy 11 on loan July 29, returning to his college town after making three appearances as a substitute for the Dynamo. Steinberger was a four-year starter at Butler University, scoring 14 goals and adding 15 assists, and was chosen eighth overall by the Dynamo in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. The NASL is the second tier of professional soccer in the United States. Next up, Indy will face the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Wednesday.
