The Houston Dynamo Academy will host the United States U-17 national team in a friendly at Robertson Stadium on Saturday, with the match kicking off following the Major League Soccer match between the Houston Dynamo and D.C. United.
It is the latest in a series of prestigious international matches for the Dynamo Academy, presented by Statoil, which faced major European clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid last August and top clubs from the Americas in January at the Copa Chivas in Guadalajara, Mexico.
For two members of the U-17 national team, the trip will be a homecoming of sorts. Goalkeeper Fernando Piña (Challenge Early College H.S.) and midfielder Bryan Celis (Katy Mayde Creek H.S.) are both Dynamo Academy products and members of the Dynamo’s home-grown player list.
The Dynamo Academy roster will feature players born from 1992-94, with the exception of goalkeeper Pat Wall (Strake Jesuit), born in 1991. The U.S. U-17 national team features players eligible for the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup, with players born from 1994-95.
Dynamo Academy roster:
Leo Ayala – DF, Houston Sharpstown
Bradley Bourgeois – DF,
Cy-Fair
Christian Camera – MF, Fort Bend Elkins
Martin Castillo – FW, Pasadena Sam
Rayburn
Manuel Chavez – FW, Cy
Springs
Sebastien Ibeagha – MF, Fort Bend
Hightower
Sebastian Karpen – MF, Spring Branch
Memorial
Juan Lopez – DF, Houston
Chavez
Raymundo Marquez – MF, Katy Cinco
Ranch
Abé Matamoros – FW, Strake
Jesuit
Josue Morales – MF, Houston
Chavez
Isaiah Noreiga – FW, Humble Kingwood
Park
Juan Navarrete – GK, Katy Cinco
Ranch
C.J. Odenigwe – DF, Fort Bend Travis
Irvinn Ramirez – MF, Fort Bend
Marshall
Bryan Salazar – FW, Fort Bend Bush
Erick Sanchez – FW, Cy
Springs
Pat Wall – GK, Strake
Jesuit
Miguel Zapata – DF, Katy Mayde
Creek
ABOUT THE HOUSTON DYNAMO ACADEMY
The Houston Dynamo Academy, presented by Statoil, consists of the best youth players in the Houston area. The Academy U-18 and U-16 train four days per week in a professional environment and compete in the United States Soccer Development Academy league, the most competitive youth league in the country. The Academy also plays international games, including its first ever European trip in 2009. Historically, the Academy’s top players have been invited to train with the Dynamo first team as opportunities arise throughout the season. Successful Academy graduates can be designated as Dynamo home-grown players and can eventually be promoted directly to the Dynamo first team. Dynamo Camps are the main source of identification and recruitment for the Dynamo Academy, with the camps held throughout the 2010 season. Visit HoustonDynamo.com/Academy for more information.
ABOUT THE HOUSTON
DYNAMO
The Houston Dynamo are a Major League Soccer club that has won two MLS Cup championships in its first four seasons and represented the United States in four consecutive regional championships. For more information, log on to www.HoustonDynamo.com or call (713) 276-7500.
