Joseph Holland (center) will try to crack the Houston Dynamo Starting XI. (Photo by Michael Lewis)

HOUSTON – Former Hofstra University midfielder Joseph Holland Wednesday signed a Major League Soccer contract with the Houston Dynamo, the club announced.

Holland was selected 10th overall in the MLS SuperDraft by the Dynamo Jan. 13. He attended preseason camp with Houston, which went 6-0-1 and was offered a contract based on his performance.

In a press release announcing the signing, Dynamo head coach Wilmer Cabrera said that Holland has “been confirming to the whole staff, the club and his teammates why he deserves to be part of the roster with the Houston Dynamo. He’s adapting really well to the work, to the responsibilities that’s required to be a professional player.”

Holland was a three-time All-Colonial Athletic Association first-team selection at Hofstra and was CAA player of the year in 2015. He finished his collegiate career with 19 goals and 28 assists in 79 games. The London, England native was invited to the MLS combine in January following his senior season at Hofstra and will occupy an international roster spot on the Houston roster.

“I am incredibly proud of what Joe has achieved,” Hofstra men’s head coach Richard Nuttall said. “If anyone deserves it, it’s Joe because of all of the extra time and commitment he has put in to improve himself and reach this high level.”

Houston kicks off its season, welcoming on defending MLS Cup champion Seattle Sounders at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston Saturday.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.