Houston Dynamo manager Owen Coyle wants Alexander Lopez to build on his bright showing on the weekend.

The Honduras international, 22, made just his third MLS start in the Dynamo's 1-1 draw with DC United at the RFK Stadium on Saturday and put in an impressive shift in midfield.

After the match, Houston boss Coyle highlighted the performance of Lopez but has implored the young gun to kick on for the rest of the 2015 MLS season.

"We've said it from day one in preseason, we know Alex is very talented," Coyle said. "And what we've tried to do is we want to find the role that Alex can bring to the team, and Saturday he was terrific.

"What I said to him before the game was, 'You're in the team, you're in their on merit, and you're here to play, so make sure you don't give up that jersey lightly.' When he brings that work rate, we know the qualities he's got on the ball. What he's got to do now is deliver on it for the Dynamo."

Coyle added: "One swallow doesn't make a summer, as we say back home. You've got to do that game in and game out.

"If he keeps producing, then as a head coach you've got a hell of a problem because it's difficult to keep him out of the team when he's at that level."