Andre Gitau and Brooklyn Raines named to Rising XI presented by Body Armour ahead of 2022 Generation adidas Cup

Houston Dynamo FC forward Andre Gitau and midfielder Brooklyn Raines were named to Major League Soccer's 2022 Rising XI presented by Body Armour earlier today. 

Gitau is a 15-year-old native of Houston who consistently trained with the first team throughout the 2022 preseason. Gitau recently traveled to Buenos Aires, Argentina to play in two friendlies with the U-17 U.S. Youth National Team.  

Raines signed a multi-year Homegrown Player contract with the Dynamo this past February, and has started in two games for Dynamo 2, the Club’s MLS NEXT Pro affiliate, this season. Prior to joining the Dynamo, Raines played in the USL Championship for El Paso Locomotive and was a member of the Barcelona Academy in Arizona.  

The 2022 Generation adidas Cup will feature the largest field in the tournament’s 13-year history. A total of 80 professional academies from 10 countries across four continents will compete in U-17 and U-15 tournament play at the Toyota Soccer Center at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas from April 9-17. 

The U-15 Houston Dynamo Academy team will open the Generation adidas tournament on April 9 against New York City FC at 6 p.m. The youngest age group representing the Dynamo Academy will face Valencia CF from Spain at 9 p.m. on April 10 and close the group phase against DC United at 5 p.m. CT on April 11.  

The U-17 Houston Dynamo Academy team will kick off its own games on April 10, when they face Tigres at 1 p.m. After taking on the Liga MX Academy side, Houston will face off against two MLS Academy teams, CF Montreal on April 11 at 1 p.m. and Real Salt Lake on April 12 at 9 a.m.