Mac Steeves brings his scoring touch to Houston

Mac Steeves doesn’t always see a lot of playing time in preseason matches for the Houston Dynamo, but when he does, he makes the most of it.

Steeves, a Needham native, has scored three times for the Dynamo in only 155 minutes of play, including two goals against the New York Red Bulls last week.

He still hasn’t been offered a contract by the Houston squad, but he is still in camp, trying to make an impression.

He was a second-round draft pick for Houston, the 43rd selection overall, after a standout career at Providence College, where he scored 35 goals.

“Mac was obviously a huge part of our program’s recent success and leaves PC as second all time in goals scored and total points,” coach Craig Stewart said.

“In 2014 his goals helped the team advance to the national semi final, where he was named the College Cup Offensive MVP.”

The 6’4” Steeves struggled with injuries his last two years in college, but Stewart said he spoke to him recently and he is feeling 100 percent now.

The Dynamo did not return telephone calls and emails seeking comment, but coach Wilmer Cabrera recently praised Steeves in The Houston Chronicle.

“He likes to score and that’s why he’s here. We like that,” Cabrera said. “He’s hungry about scoring goals. He has that talent. He’s strong, tall and he’s always dangerous around the goal.”

Steeves came into the Red Bulls match late, around the 70 minute mark, and immediately buried two generous crosses in an almost casual style. His goals were the fourth and fifth of the night for the Dynamo.

The competition was mostly reserve players, but he made an impression.

“He has very important natural talent, which is to score goals,” Cabrera said.

Steeves said he was feeling confident.

”I’ve always felt I could play at this level, he said after the game. “This is good and definitely affirming that. It is a good feeling to get these goals at this level because I was scoring at the college level. Hopefully I can keep it going.”