Houston Dynamo Academy forward Zeke Soto was called up to the latest U.S. Under-17 Men’s Youth National Team training camp by head coach Gonzalo Segares. The camp in Sorocaba, Brazil runs from Sept. 29-Oct. 8 and will include two matches against Brazil on Oct. 4 and Oct. 6 as part of the USA’s final preparations before the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Indonesia.
“We are proud to have Zeke represent the club at the international level. This will be a great test for him as he prepares for an important tournament this fall in Indonesia,” Dynamo general manager, Pat Onstad said. “His development has been enhanced through MLS NEXT and playoff bound Dynamo 2, where he has earned valuable minutes this season.”
Soto is currently in his third season with the Dynamo Academy and has been a regular member of the U-17 USYNT camp cycles and competitions since joining the club, earning 14 appearances and scoring five goals. Earlier this year, the 16-year-old was the youngest player named to the squad that earned a runners-up finish in February’s Concacaf U-17 Championship in Guatemala. Soto also participated in April’s training camp in Palm Beach, Fla.
“This is a key camp for the U17 program as they prepare for the upcoming World Cup and we are excited to see Zeke compete against one of the best national teams in the world,” Dynamo assistant general manager,” Nick Kowba said. “His transition from the Dynamo Academy to Dynamo 2 has really tested him as a player and we are proud to see that create opportunities for him with the U.S. youth national team program.”
The forward has trained with both the first team and Dynamo 2 in 2023, while earning nine starts and 17 appearances with Houston’s MLS NEXT Pro side. Soto helped Dynamo 2 qualify as the No. 7 seed for the MLS Next Pro Playoffs, and the team will travel to face the No. 2 seeded Tacoma Defiance in the opening round of the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs on Sunday, Oct. 1.
