The Dynamo Academy U-18s and U-16s were away from regular league play this weekend, but were still plenty busy with the U-18s scrimmaging against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of USL Pro and the U-16s taking part in the Generation Adidas Cup.
With the Riverhounds in town for preseason training and a friendly against the Dynamo first team on Wednesday, the Academy U-18s had their chance to match up against professional side on Sunday afternoon. The Dynamo held their own for much of the match, but eventually fell 2-0 on a first half penalty kick and a late second half goal.
The U-16s took part in the Generation Adidas Cup in Casa Grande, Ariz., over the President’s Day weekend. The annual tournament, which pits all of the MLS academies against each other in a U-17 competition, began last October. The Dynamo, grouped with five other MLS squads in the Central Region, entered the weekend with two points from the first two matches in the fall thanks to a penalty shootout win over the Chicago Fire.
The Dynamo started with a 2-0 win over Sporting Kansas City behind two goals from Christian Lucatero, who regularly plays with the U-18s. But the Dynamo dropped a close 1-0 result to state rivals FC Dallas, then fell 4-0 in the final game to group winners Real Salt Lake. The Dynamo finished fifth in the group, with the top three qualifying for the international bracket in April with the remaining teams playing in the domestic draw.
The U-18s and U-16s return to U.S. Soccer Development Academy action this Saturday against Lonestar SC at Houston Sports Park.
The U-15s were held to a 2-2 draw by Lonestar SC this past weekend in a disappointing draw. The Dynamo gave up two leads in the match, with the tying goal by Lonestar coming just two minutes from full time. Alejandro Lezama opened the scoring with an assist from Christian Molina and Jommar Reyes converted a penalty kick to reclaim the lead in the second half, but the Dynamo defense was unable to hold on for the full three points.
The U-13s took care of business as they defeated Lonestar 2-0 on Sunday afternoon. Cole Vicknair and Jonathan Bautista scored in the 32nd and 47th minutes, respectively, to get the Dynamo all three points from the encounter. Lonestar put the pressure on the Dynamo in second half searching for a way back into the game, but the Dynamo were able to keep the Austin, Texas, club off the board for the shutout.
