Houston Dynamo FC and Houston Dynamo 2 goalkeeper Xavier Valdez has been tapped to participate in the Goalie Wars competition during MLS All-Star Week in Washington, D.C. on July 18.
Valdez is one of four MLS NEXT Pro goalkeepers participating in the competition alongside Austin FC II’s Damian Las, Crown Legacy FC’s Isaac Walker, and Huntsville City FC’s Ben Martino. The four keepers will go head-to-head in the competition that first debuted at the 2001 MLS All-Star game and made its return last year.
Valdez has made seven starts for Houston Dynamo 2 this season. The Bronx, New York native has made 21 saves this season at the MLS NEXT Pro level. Valdez has anchored the Dynamo Dos defense for most of the club’s matches since the league began in 2022. Valdez has made 20 career starts and 57 saves in MLS NEXT Pro play.
Valdez has split time this season with the Dominican Republic National Team at both the senior and under-20 levels. The 19-year-old recently earned his first senior cap in goal in a friendly against Chile. Valdez also anchored the U-20 Dominican Republic team at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina where he faced Brazil, Italy and Nigeria.
