Houston Dynamo FC midfielder Marcelo Palomino made his debut with the Charlotte Independence on Saturday, going the distance in their opening game of the 2021 USL Championship regular season against the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Palomino was loaned to Charlotte for the season earlier this year.
Charlotte dropped the match 3-0,but Palomino played his first full-90 minute shift as a professional.The Dynamo Academy alum made three appearances off the bench with Houston the Dynamo in 2020. He created one chance and completed more than 70 percent of his passes on Saturday.
The midfielder will travel to South Carolina on May 14 to face fellow Dynamo Academy product Erik McCue and the Charleston Battery at Patriots Point. Charlotte opens the season with four consecutive games away from home.
McCue and the Battery will begin their season on the road against New York Red Bulls II on Friday, May 7.
Rio Grande Valley FC, the USL Championship affiliate of the Dynamo, opened the season with a 1-0 victory at home over New Mexico United on Saturday. A goal from Elvis Amoh was the difference between the two sides. The Toros will host Landon Donovan and San Diego Loyal SC at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 6. The match will air live on ESPN Deportes.
