It's been two years since the Dynamo Academy, presented by Statoil, last had a team advance to the quarterfinals of the Dallas Cup. But after two games in the international tournament, the Dynamo Academy looks poised to break that drought with three teams in first place in their respective groups.
The Dynamo U-16s entered the tournament on an eight-game winning streak in league play. Their form has carried over into the Dallas Cup, as the team led by head coach Eddie Robinson has defeated AcademiaVenezolano de Futbol and LVSA Red 5-1 and 6-3, respectively.
In the first match against AcademiaVenezolano de Futbol, Thomas Barboza tallied twice, while Elo Ozumba (pictured, above), Matt Dorsey and Josue Palomino each added a goal. In Monday's 6-3 victory over LVSA Red, Ozumba scored four goals - including a first half hat trick - and Giovanni Pacheco and Lisandro Cane Sanchez each added a goal. The Dynamo U-16s are tied for first place with New Jersey based club TSF Ginga. The two squads will play Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. with the winner advancing to the quarterfinals. If the clubs draw, the Dynamo will advance by virtue of a stronger goal differential.
The Dynamo U-18s have been equally as dominant through their first two matches, defeating Towers Football Academy and C.F. San Nicolas 7-0 and 4-1, respectively. Dynamo homegrown signing Bryan Salazar scored a hat trick against Towers Football Academy and Michael Cusack, Gian Carlo Rojas, Carlos Ibarra and Alan Arellano each added a goal in the victory.
In Monday's 4-1 win over C.F. San Nicolas, Salazar, Christian Diaz, Irvin Ramirez and Ibarra each tallied once for the Dynamo U-18s. The team currently sits alone in first place with six points, although Pateadores and C.F. San Nicolas have yet to play their second match. The U-18s will close out the group with a match on Wednesday morning vs. Pateadores. Depending on Tuesday's results, the Dynamo could need only a draw to win the group.
The Dynamo U-14s are playing up an age group, but that has not prevented them from keeping up with the competition. The Dynamo defeated Universidad de Monterrey 2-1 and drew Juventus Heat 1-1. Deniz Sipahi and Roberto Marquez tallied the goals in the win on Sunday, while Marquez scored Houston's lone goal in Monday's draw. The Dynamo U-14s will take on IMG Academy Wednesday morning with a berth in the semifinals on the line.
The Dynamo South Texas Academy, based in McAllen, Texas, has struggled through their first two games, falling to Central California Blues 4-0 and Chargers SC 5-0. The Dynamo affiliate will close out their U-19 group stage with a match against Ajax FC Gunners on Wednesday afternoon.
