The Houston Dynamo have loaned midfielder  Eric Bird, defenders Sam Junqua and Erik McCue, goalkeeper Michael Nelson and forward Ronaldo Peña to Rio Grande Valley FC for their match against Tacoma Defiance at H-E-B Park this evening.
This is the second loan for Bird who returned to competitive action with the Toros earlier this year as he recovered from an ankle injury. The University of Virginia product joined RGV on June 1 in southern California for their match versus Orange County SC.
This is the sixth loan for Junqua, and his first since a 2-2 draw with LA Galaxy II on May 18 at H-E-B Park. The outside back will likely share the pitch with McCue who remained with the Toros after Wednesday’s loan for a midweek clash in Nevada with Reno 1868 FC.
Nelson has recorded a 2-3-0 record in his five appearances with RGV FC this season and has made 18 saves. The goalkeeper made his season debut on the road in Tulsa on March 29 and joined the Toros in a 5-2 victory over Las Vegas Lights FC on April 20. This is the first loan for Nelson since June 8 when the Toros fell 5-3 to Real Monarchs in Salt Lake City.
This is the second loan for Peña who joined RGV FC on June 1 in a 2-1 loss to Orange County. The forward made his competitive debut that evening after recovering from a left knee injury. Peña would go on to score two goals in back-to-back games for the Dynamo in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in June.
Tonight’s match will be streamed live on ESPN+ beginning at 7:30 p.m. CT.
