The Houston Dynamo Academy U-18 team produced one of its biggest wins of the season but still saw its season come to a heartbreaking end Tuesday, falling one point short of reaching the USSF Development Academy Finals Week despite a 3-0 win over D.C. United.
Going into the day, the Dynamo knew that a win, coupled with a tie or a win by the favored Colorado Rush in the group's other game could send Houston through to the quarterfinals at The Home Depot Center in July. After producing a scintillating second half and a 3-0 win over defending SUM U-17 Cup champion D.C. United, the Dynamo thought they might have done enough, but CASL from Raleigh, N.C., pulled out a 1-0 win over the Colorado Rush despite playing with 10 men, finishing with seven points to Houston's six. The Dynamo were undone by their 2-1 loss to CASL on Sunday in which they gave away two disappointing goals.
"We played a great second half today but couldn't overcome Sunday," Dynamo Director of Youth Development James Clarkson said. "We're gutted right now."
The failure to advance overshadows a great performance that saw Houston get goals from Bryan Celis (Katy Mayde Creek), Irvinn Ramirez (Fort Bend Marshall), and Christian Camera (Fort Bend Elkins) in the win. The seven seniors on Houston's 18-man roster for the playoffs at least go out on a high note, having defeated a strong MLS rival and led Houston to the playoffs in its first season in USSF Development Academy play.
The Dynamo also contributed this fantastic goal from Josue Morales on a 40-yard chip from the left flank. Go to 0:50 on the clip below to see it:
The Dynamo entered the playoffs officially seeded 25th among 32 playoff teams but finished with a 2-1 record and +3 goal differential in their four-team group. Houston had qualified for the playoffs as one of 12 wildcard teams after a strong performance in the Spring Showcase in Sarasota in late May.
The Dynamo Academy will resume competitive play in late July in the 2010 SUM U-17 Cup, the championship of MLS youth academies, which will be played at Centennial Park in Friendswood.
Tryouts for the Dynamo Academy at all age levels will be held July 19-22 for players born from 1992-95 and July 26-29 for players born from 1996-2002.
Houston Dynamo vs. D.C. United
June 29, 2010 –- Bryan Park, Greensboro NC
USSF Development Academy Playoffs - Group D
Scoring Summary:
HOU -- Bryan Celis
HOU -- Irvinn Ramirez
HOU -- Christian Camera
Houston Dynamo -- Pat Wall (Graham Wheeler 89), Miguel Sapata, C.J. Odenigwe, Sebastien Ibeagha (Sebastian Karpen 89), Benji Saenz (Erik Centeno 82), Steven Salinas, Bryan Celis, Miguel Zapata, Josue Morales (Christian Camera 64), Martin Castillo (Manuel Chavez 90), Abe Matamoros (Eloy Gonzalez Litan 83).
All statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial.
<strong>Pos.</strong> |
<strong>Group D<br></strong> |
<strong>W</strong> |
<strong>L</strong> |
<strong>T</strong> |
<strong>Pts</strong> |
<strong>GD</strong> |
<strong>1</strong> |
CASL<br> |
2<br> |
0<br> |
1<br> |
<strong>7</strong><br> |
+2<br> |
<strong>2</strong> |
Houston Dynamo<br> |
2<br> |
1<br> |
0 |
<strong>6</strong><br> |
+3<br> |
<strong>3<br></strong> |
Colorado Rush<br> |
1<br> |
2<br> |
0 |
<strong>3</strong><br> |
-1<br> |
<strong>4</strong> |
D.C. United<br> |
0 |
2<br> |
1<br> |
<strong>1</strong><br> |
-4 |
Houston Dynamo vs. CASL
June 27, 2010 –- Bryan Park, Greensboro NC
USSF Development Academy Playoffs - Group D
Scoring Summary:
HOU -- Josue Morales 26
CASL -- Matthew Wescoe 41
CASL -- Matthew Wescoe 52
Houston Dynamo -- Pat Wall, Miguel Zapata, C.J. Odenigwe, Sebastien Ibeagha, Benji Saenz (Manuel Chavez 89), Irvinn Ramirez, Steven Salinas, Bryan Celis (Leo Ayala 65), Josue Morales (Christian Camera 59), Abe Matamoros, Martin Castillo.
CASL -- Ethan Hall (Davis Griffin 46), Harrison Delbridge (Michael Forsyth 35), Glenn Scott, Eric Steber (John Pace 63), Ryan Metts, Robert Liberatore, Jared Girard, Alexander Givens, John Rafferty (Ken Meyer 79), Charles Root, Nader Jaibat (Matthew Wescoe 32).
All statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial.
