Memo Rodríguez

José Guillermo "Memo" Rodríguez (born December 27, 1995) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for USL Championship club Sacramento Republic FC.

Early life Rodriguez began his youth career with Houstonians FC, a youth soccer team in Houston, Texas. He joined the Houston Dynamo academy in 2011 at the age of 15. On March 20, 2015, it was announced that Rodríguez had been sent on loan to the Dynamo's USL affiliate club Charleston Battery. He made his professional debut the following day in a 3–2 victory over Toronto FC II. Rodriguez scored his first professional goal in a 1–1 draw with New York Red Bulls II on April 18. He finished the regular season with 17 appearances, 6 of them starts, plus a goal and an assist as Charleston finished 3rd in the Eastern Conference. Rodriguez did not make an appearance in the playoffs.

Rio Grande Valley FC Ahead of the 2016 season Rodriguez was released by the Dynamo and signed a contract with USL club Rio Grande Valley FC Toros, who had replaced the Battery as the Dynamo's USL affiliate club that offseason. He made his Toros debut on March 26 in a 2–0 defeat to the Tulsa Roughnecks. Rodriguez would score his first goal for RGVFC on May 21, finding the back of the net twice in a 4–0 win over Swope Park Rangers. He enjoyed a successful season with the Toros and head coach Wilmer Cabrera, as Rodriguez scored 6 and recorded 7 assists in 30 games to help the Toros make the USL Playoffs. In the Toros' first round playoff game, Rodriguez had an assist in a 3–2 loss to OKC Energy. On April 8, 2017, Rodriguez came on as a sub in a 2–0 win over the New England Revolution to make his MLS debut. He scored his first goal for the Dynamo on June 14 in the U.S. Open Cup vs North Carolina FC, scoring in extra time to give Houston a 3–2 win. On July 5 Rodriguez scored his first MLS goal in a 3–1 win over the Montreal Impact. However, Rodriguez would not see the field in the playoffs. Rodriguez scored his first goal for the Dynamo of the season on May 5. Memo headed in a rebound in the 90th minute to give the Dynamo a 3–2 win over the LA Galaxy. Rodriguez scored a brace in a 5–0 win over NTX Rayados in the US Open Cup on June 7. The Dynamo went on to win the Open Cup, the first in club history, with Rodriguez playing in every game and getting 3 goals and an assist. In the Dynamo's next match, Memo got the start against Montreal and scored on a shot from 22 yards out, helping Houston to a 2–1 win. During Houston's next to league matches, Rodriguez followed that up with a brace, including the game-winning goal, in a 3–2 win against the Vancouver Whitecaps and then with a goal against the Colorado Rapids in a 4–1 Dynamo win. Rodriguez made a rehab appearance with RGVFC on July 13 before returning to the Dynamo lineup on July 20, picking up an assist in a 3–1 win over Toronto FC. Houston had 1 win and 6 losses during the 7 MLS games while Rodriguez was out injured. His return to the lineup was unable to save the season as the Dynamo missed out on the playoffs despite the best start in club history. Rodriguez was named as the Dynamo Young Player of the Year for his strong season, scoring 7 and assisting 5 in 26 MLS appearances.

In 2020, new Dynamo head coach Tab Ramos converted Rodriguez to a central midfielder. He had played there occasionally before, but Ramos's predecessor Wilmer Cabrera preferred to play Rodriguez as a winger. Rodriguez and the Dynamo opened the 2020 season on February 29 with a 1–1 draw against the LA Galaxy. After matchweek 2, the season was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with play resuming again in July. In Houston's first game back, Rodriguez scored twice in a 3–3 draw with LAFC on July 13, a performance that saw him named to the MLS Team of the Week. In the 4 games between August 25 and September 9, Rodriguez had 3 assists, with Houston recording 3 wins and 1 draw in that stretch. On September 12 he scored once in a 2–1 loss to FC Dallas. On October 18 and 24, Rodriguez scored in draws against the Columbus Crew and Minnesota United. Rodriguez ended the shortened season with 5 goals and 3 assists from 21 appearances. In October, Rodriguez was rewarded for his strong performances with a contract extension until 2022, with team options for 2023 and 2024.

On April 16, 2021, in the opening match of the season, Rodriguez scored once to help the Dynamo defeat the San Jose Earthquakes 2–1. He was named to the MLS Team of the Week as a result. Rodriguez made the Team of the Week again following his goal and assist in a 2–1 Dynamo win over the Vancouver Whitecaps on May 22. He picked up his first assist of the season on March 19, setting up Tyler Pasher in the 90th minute to draw 1–1 with the Colorado Rapids.

LA Galaxy On January 5, 2023, Rodríguez signed with LA Galaxy as a free agent on a one-year deal with club options for 2024 and 2025.

Austin FC On August 1, 2023, Rodríguez was traded from LA Galaxy to Austin FC for Diego Fagúndez. Rodríguez was signed through the 2023 season with club options for the 2024 and 2025 season. On November 17, 2023, Austin FC announced they would not exercise the 2024 option for Rodríguez.

Sacramento Republic FC On February 21, 2026 Rodríguez signed with Sacramento Republic FC for the 2026 USL Championship season.

Personal life Rodriguez is of Mexican descent, with his mother, Velia, being from Zacatecas, Mexico His father, Guillermo Sr., died in a car accident before Rodriguez was born.

Honors Houston Dynamo U.S. Open Cup: 2018

Individual Dynamo Young Player of the Year: 2019