HOUSTON – New Houston Dynamo forward Ronaldo Peña is the latest Venezuelan international to make the trek to Major League Soccer, and much like his compatriots have made a lasting impression on their respective teams, so too does Peña with La Naranja.
More specifically, Peña hopes to emulate the impact that Atlanta United’s Josef Martinez has had on the Five Stripes. Martinez currently leads the league in scoring with 22 goals and is on pace to break the single-season goal scoring record of 27 goals, which is held by Chris Wondolowski of the San Jose Earthquakes.
“He’s an excellent player and now he’s showing it here in MLS,” Peña said in his first media availability. “And honestly, I want to be at that level and I’m going to work towards that … to score goals and to help the team.”
Experience playing in Europe
Peña spent the last three season in Europe — one with Moreirense F.C. in Portugal’s Primeira Liga and two with Las Palmas of Spain’s Segunda Division — while on loan from Venezuelan side Caracas.
It was with Moreirense where Dynamo vice president and general manager Matt Jordan saw Peña play live.
“Matt talked to me and showed me the team. I didn’t know much about them as I didn’t follow MLS,” Peña said. “He pitched me on the situation, and once I heard it, I had no doubt about it. I talked to my representative and my family, and here I am.”
Vamosss @HoustonDynamo ⚽️🙏 pic.twitter.com/21TQfFwuBm
— @RonaldoPeña7 (@Ronaldolpv7) July 21, 2018
Making his professional debut at 16, Peña has 66 professional appearances to his name and 21 goals. Additionally, the versatile attacker, who’s experienced playing as a striker and winger, represented Venezuela at the under-17 and under-20 levels and played a role in leading La Vinotinto to the 2017 U20 World Cup Final.
“Ronaldo is a young and talented forward who is very hungry,” Dynamo head coach Wilmer Cabrera said after Peña’s signing was announced. “At his young age, he already has experience playing at the international level.”
That experience is part of the reason Peña was an attractive piece to Houston.
“Ronaldo Peña is a young, talented and versatile attacker who at just 21 years old has played regularly in Portugal’s top league, and was a key contributor in Venezuela’s recent run to the U20 World Cup Final,” Jordan said after the transfer was complete. “We are confident that he has the work ethic as a professional to grow and develop with our club and that his qualities will add to our already talented group up front and further diversify our attack.”
A different type of attacker brings competition
And just how will Peña diversify the attack? Jordan, speaking on Houston’s SportsRadio 610 pregame show before the Dynamo’s bout against FC Dallas, said Peña is more of a traditional center forward than what’s currently on the Dynamo roster. He added that Peña is similar in vein to FC Dallas forward Maxi Urruti.
“It is important for us to create competition amongst our forwards, and he has a different type of talent than Romell (Quioto), Alberth (Elis), Mauro (Manotas), Arturo (Alvarez), or Memo (Rodriguez),” Cabrera said. “Ronaldo is going to compete and help us to be more dangerous and to score more goals in order for us to be in playoff contention.”
And Mauro Manotas, the Dynamo’s leading scorer this season with 10 goals, welcome the competition.
“It’s going to help all of us. He’s a player that can play as a No. 9 striker, and also on the wings. I can as well,” Manotas said. “And when one of my teammates or I have a bad game, the coach can play him as the No. 9 and throw me on the wings. The competition is for everybody up front in the attack.
A patient approach
As has been the Dynamo’s MO when a new player signs with the team, Houston plans to bring Peña on slowly, letting him acclimate to the league, his teammates and, more importantly, the Houston heat.
Peña arrived Thursday and only has a pair of training sessions with the team under his belt. Cabrera said Peña was in Venezuela but was not training as he was waiting to get his Visa situation sorted it out.
“He’s here now, and now we’re going to see how he reacts. He trained yesterday, and today, and he needs to adapt little by little. It’s not easy to adapt to Houston,” Cabrera said. “We’re going to be patient and protect him and put him on the field when we feel that he’s ready and when he feels comfortable.”
¡Bienvenido a Houston, @Ronaldolpv7!
The Venezuelan striker got a look around his new digs and is ready to get to work. 💪 #ForeverOrange pic.twitter.com/csEgHsv7hF
— Houston Dynamo FC (@HoustonDynamo) July 20, 2018
Dynamo centerback Alejandro Fuenmayor thinks his fellow countryman will adjust to the league well and shared some words of wisdom with him.
“I told him it’s a fast and physical league, and it suits his playing style,” Fuenmayor said. “I think he’s going to adapt fast and God willing he’s going to do well.”
Aside from adapting to the team, Peña will also be adjusting to a new city. Did Peña know anything about Houston before signing with the Dynamo?
“Jose Altuve,” Peña said with a laugh, referencing the Houston Astros’ Venezuelan second baseman. “I had never visited the U.S., but there will be time to know and enjoy the city.”