The Houston Dynamo Academy weathered numerous challenges last week as Tropical Storm Imelda made landfall in Southeast Texas. However, the weather permitted football on Sunday, and the teams hit the pitch for their first meeting against Inter Miami. The Dynamo Academy split the weekend series, going 1-1-1 against Miami.
The morning started with the U-19 team’s game and Houston had a dominant half to start the match. Midfielder Cesar Baltazar started the scoring for Houston as he dribbled along the top of the box to create space for a shot that beat the Miami goalkeeper at the near post. Forward Kaya Ignacio followed with a goal of his own to bring the Houston lead to two. Houston scored one more goal in the first half after midfielder Jimiyu Mark finished a dazzling run into the opposition’s box. Houston’s defense also performed well, as it kept Inter Miami scoreless in the half.
Houston held on for a tie to secure a point in the standings after a strong second half comeback by Inter Miami. They scored their first goal of the game a few minutes into the second half. Later, Miami picked up their second goal on a penalty kick to bring them within a goal of tying the game. For the final 10 minutes, Houston played a man down after a player picked up a red card and was ejected from the match. Within those final moments of the game, Miami scored again to earn a point in their first meeting with the Dynamo Academy.
The U-17 team played a hard match against Inter Miami as well. Houston conceded the first goal of the game in the 67th minute. Houston would respond 10 minutes later with a goal from midfielder Ronaldo Guzman to equalize and midfielder D’Alessandro Herrera’s effort in the final minutes of the game gave Houston a 2-1 victory.
The U-15 team wrapped up the activity for the Dynamo Academy. Miami started off hot and scored two goals before the 20th minute. Houston responded with a goal from Joseph Farouz to cut the deficit to one. It was Farouz’s first goal of the season. Houston kept it close with a chance to tie until the 45th minute, when Miami took a two-goal lead into halftime. Inter Miami would add one more goal in the second half and walk away with a 4-1 victory.
Up next for Houston, all the U-19, U-17, U-15, U-14 and U-13 teams will have a chance to compete against the Solar Soccer Club teams this weekend at Houston Sports Park.
