Another week another out of the blue player announcement. This time coming instead of going. It was announce today that the Riverhounds will be receiving forward Mackenzie Pridham on loan from Minnesota United FC until September 31st. This will cover the rest of the season and any playoff games. Unlike the Houston guys Pridham will be here for the duration of his loan. In fact I can’t even remember the last time the Hounds had a classic loan. At any rate here’s a bunch of info on Pridham.
Pridham is a 23 year old, 6’1″ forward from Toronto Canada* in the first year of his professional career. He played college soccer for California Polytechnic State University from 2009-2013 and from what I’ve gathered was a beast. Pridham was a two-time Big West Conference Offensive Player of the Year (the first for Cal Poly), and by the time he graduated he was #2 all time at Cal Poly in points (58), #1 in goals scored (27), #2 in multi-goal matches (5), and occupies multiple “Best Season” slots in points and goals. You can see highlights from his record setting seasons on Youtube.
In the summer of 2013 he spent six weeks training with Toronto FC. Pridham was selected in the fourth round (58th overall) of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft by Vancouver Whitecaps, but ultimately he wasn’t signed by the club. Pridham had an ankle injury during the 2014 preseason which limited his time with the Whitecaps and may be why they didn’t offer him a contract. Pridham signed with NASL Spring Season Champion Minnesota United FC a short time later. Unfortunately he hasn’t seen a ton of time there either. Pridham only made one appearance with the first team during league play, racking up a total of 13 minutes. Per the press release he did make a few appearances in the NPSL with Minnesota’s reserve team, but stats are hard to come by.
Before the 2014 SuperDraft MLSSOCCER.Com had the following to say about Pridham–
WHAT COACHES SAY: “He’s a handful. Finds goals. Doesn’t look the part but he runs off the ball, holds ball up, shoots from acute angles … He creates his own chances … Gets one step and he’ll finish … Coaches love him because of ability to score goals … He’s got a little more pace than a Wondo. More dynamic with quickness … Not fast but can move a little bit … He’s a born goal-scorer. One of those rare players. Been scoring consistently his whole life … Great in and around the box … Powerful player. Makes excellent runs and has a terrific shooting ability with either foot and his head … Terrific balance and explosiveness in the box to create shots … He’s got good speed, not blazing speed. Box guy … Explosive in first 5-10 yards. Not a blazer that’s going to race in behind … Not a sprinter toward goal .. Can play back to goal. Can hold up ball and bring guys into game … Has blossomed last two years. First two years not a lot there … I really like the kid. He’s got a good body on him. Good size. Good feet. He scores goals, his movements are good. Can he do it at next level? That’s always the question.”
Hopefully we see some of of his goal scoring abilities. The Riverhounds offense hasn’t been what we expected this year, averaging barely over 1 goal a game. Things have been clicking a little better lately. Will Pridham be the spark to kick scoring into high gear? We’ll see. Minnesota United must feel he’s going to get play time here that he wouldn’t with the first squad now that the NPSL season is over. Even if he doesn’t ignite the offense, and even if he doesn’t play much, at least this experiment doesn’t cost the Hounds anything.
Pridham is expected to be available for the Hounds this weekend for their road trip to Real Salt Lake on Friday and Sacramento Republic on Sunday. You can follow Pridham on Twitter @MacPridham
#UNLEASH
*Note: At some point he moved to California.
