Houston Dynamo have handed pro terms to their first ever homespun player, goalkeeper Tyler Deric. "It's really a dream come true," Deric, 20, said. "Every pro athlete as a kid always thinks of playing for their home team. I was the biggest Dynamo fan even before I signed with the Academy."

Deric originally signed with the Dynamo Youth Development System in 2007. He is the second player in MLS history to be promoted directly from a team's developmental academy. The first was Los Angeles Galaxy forward Tristan Bowen, who signed last fall.

"He knows the hard work is ahead of him," Dynamo Youth Development Director James Clarkson said. "Tyler is an inspiration to all in the academy, and the players in the academy all look up to him. It's good for the academy, because in a short amount of time, we've got our first player signed to the first team."