Felix Garcia is no fool, he is finishing school. (Houston Dynamo)

A very interesting twist in the Felix Garcia story today. The Houston Dynamo issued this following statement on the young forward.

“Felix Garcia has returned to Laredo and decided that his priority is to finish high school before starting a professional soccer career. There is no timetable for his return to the team. The Dynamo will retain Felix’s rights, but he will not occupy a roster spot while he’s gone. Upon his return, the Dynamo will determine the appropriate developmental path for him as a player and as an individual. The outcome of this decision, when made, will determine his roster status. He is a talented young man with a bright future and, as a result, we are going to be very patient with him as he develops and matures.”

Good for Garcia to finish school. I have no beef with that move on his part. Its not like the kid would have been a starter right away anyways but it does mean his timetable for development with the MLS club has been pushed back a bit.

Did the Dynamo waste an international spot on their roster for this kid (The deal to bring Garcia in called for the Orange to trade up in the allocation with Toronto, in the process they sent an international roster spot)? No, give this kid time and he will be a star in this league. I always said a kid like Garcia needed to be on a veteran roster to develop right.

The Dynamo have completed the signing of U.S. Under-20 star Felix Garcia, acquiring his rights from the PDL Laredo Heat for an undisclosed fee according to the club. They are set to announce the signing Thursday to the public.

Garcia also comes to the club in a cap friendly way. He will join the Dynamo as a member of the MLS Generation adidas program.

So just how did that happen? Garcia is a member of the US U-20 team right now. Despite being 18 years old, he already had a professional contract with the PDL Laredo Heat. Because of that contract he didn’t have to enter the MLS Draft like ever other youngster looking to make the leap to the league. Garcia wanted to stay in Texas and the Dynamo were the first to show interest.

He is a 6-foot-1 striker with speed and gifted technical ability, but he is still a developing talent. He will  join a Dynamo squad with the type of leaders to help him adapt, which makes this move all the better.

He’s a project player but I like this move for the Orange. Getting younger in key areas yet keeping the right parts in place to develop the young talent is where they need to be.

UPDATE: SBI let’s us know more about this signing. Apparently Houston traded up in the allocation order to get Gracia from Toronto. Houston sent Toronto an international player slot for two years in exchange for moving up from No. 10 to the No. 3 spot in the league’s allocation order.