The Houston Dynamo Academy, presented by Statoil, went 5-0 last weekend at the Houston Amateur Sports Park, defeating Classics Elite at the U-13, U-14, U-16 and U-18 levels and Solar at the U-15 level. The five wins came on the heels of the Academy's annual Dynamo Day, a tradition where players who are graduating from the Academy have the opportunity to speak to the younger players about their time with the program.
"It was an emotional day," Dynamo Director of Youth Development James Clarkson said. "Much is made about wins and losses and how many players you are able to send to the first team, but at the end of the day we are seeing these kids develop not just as players, but as men, and that is what is most rewarding."
The U-15s kicked things off on Saturday with a 1-0 win over Solar. Juan Martinez, who recently returned from training with the U.S. U-15 men's national team scored the game's only goal. The U-15s currently sit in first place in the Texas Pre-Academy League. If the Dynamo defeat Lonestar on June 16, they would clinch the division title and advance to the national championship.
On Sunday, the Dynamo U-18s won their third match in a row, defeating the Classics U-18s 3-0. Martin Agredo gave the Dynamo a 1-0 lead in the 35th minute after he slotted home a through-ball from center back Christian Gonzalez. Jorge Contreras scored the game's second goal in the 55th minute, heading home an Agredo cross. The goal was Contreras' third in his past two games and seventh on the season. Midfielder Jorge Andrade scored the game's final goal with a penalty kick in the 75th minute.
The Dynamo U-16s won for the first time since March 24, defeating the Classics U-16s 6-0. Carlos Ibarra scored a hat trick for Houston with Elo Ozumba, Trey Richardson and Julius Montano each providing a goal a piece.
In other Pre-Academy League action, the Dynamo U-14s defeated the Classics U-14s 4-0 behind goals from Christian Molina, Sergio Mejia, Mason Schuster and Andrew Giraldo. The Dynamo U-13s defeated the Classics U-13s 2-0 behind a brace from Alejandro Lezama.
