HOUSTON â As a 19-year-old in a new country, Mauro Manotas is making his way.
Since signing with the Houston Dynamo in May, the forward has gone through the ups and downs typical of young players.Heâs had highs like scoring in the US Open Cup and twice last week in a friendly against Santos Laguna, and there have been lows like sitting by as a spectator as veterans in front of him carried the load.
But as heâs watched and learned this season, one voice has been constant. That voice belongs to Alex Lima, the 26-year-old Brazilian who has taken Manotas on as his protege by taking him to eat on off days, keeping him involved and providing a firm hand when needed.
âEverybodyâs been great, but if I had to pick one guy it's Alex Lima,â Manotas told MLSsoccer.com through a translator. âHeâs a guy who tells it to me straight. He always tells me what Iâm doing right, doing wrong and what I need to improve on. Thatâs been very important. [Taking criticism well is] something thatâs been instilled in me since I was little. Whether theyâre good or bad, just take it for what it is and take full advantage because it will benefit me.â
Limaâs a seasoned veteran. Heâs been through a career in which assimilating quickly has become a valuable asset. Itâs a lesson he learned in his early years courtesy of Jose Luis Mamone. The Argentine took Lima under his wing when he arrived at at Swedish club FC Wohlen as a 19-year-old, showing him the ropes of the league and living in a new land.
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Seven years later, Lima saw a similar player in Manotas.
âWhen I got there, there was nobody there to teach me many things. I didnât know how to speak the language or anything,â Lima told MLSsoccer.com through a translator. âThere was an Argentine that took me under his wing and taught me how the water ran. He would tell me he knows how difficult it is to be in a foreign country where you donât speak the language.
âHe took me under his wing, and I do the same thing with Mauro. If he wants, I take him to get something to eat, just get his mind off the training field. I vowed to do the same thing when I had the opportunity.â
With Lima pushing him on, Manotas has come along well in Houston. Everyone in the Dynamo organization that is asked about the Colombian youngster speaks glowingly about his potential and skill on the ball.
When heâs gotten on the field that talent has shown through.
In a start against Santos Laguna in the BBVA Compass Dynamo Charities Cup, he paired well with both Will Bruin and Chandler Hoffman and pulled two confidence-building goals out of it. In what ended up being a playoff-eliminating draw on Sunday vs. the Seattle Sounders, Manotas was called on late to provide a spark.
âIt was an opportunity to get him into the team and starting games. We know heâs going to be a top player,â head coach Owen Coyle said. âGoals always take a striker to another level, but his general play was terrific, and thatâs what pleased me. He worked hard, heâs got pace, his playâs pleasing on the eye and he scored two goals on the Mexican champions. I think that gives him a tremendous confidence boost. It didnât surprise me ⊠we believe heâs set for a bright future at the Dynamo.â
One game may remain in the 2015 campaign, but Houston are officially looking toward next season, and Manotas figures to be a big part of what the club wants to do.
âHe has a lot of talent, a lot of potential. He has the potential to do really well with the Dynamo,â Lima said. âIf he continues to work hard and be consistent, heâll be a great player in MLS.â
Darrell Lovell covers the Houston Dynamo for MLSsoccer.com.