The Houston Dynamo Academy U-17 and U-19 teams have returned home from Florida and the 2018 U.S. Soccer Development Academy Winter Showcase held from Nov. 29-Dec. 3. The 12th edition of the showcase brought players from 82 Development Academy clubs to Lakewood Ranch, Florida for a weekend of top-tier competition against opposition they won’t normally face during week-to-week divisional play in the regular season.
In addition to facing new competition, the Dynamo Academy players were joined by RGV FC assistant coach Brett Uttley for the tournament, providing new insight as they continue their development.
U-19
The U-19s came away with a win and two losses on the weekend. The team began with a 3-0 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes, but bounced on Friday with a 2-1 win over Orlando City SC. Edrey Caceres and Niccolo Lemoine put the Dynamo up by two goals in the first half, and the boys held on despite an 80th minute goal from Orlando. The U-19s finished with a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Crossfire Premier. Homegrown signing Erik McCue started all three games at center back.
U-17
The U-17 group rebounded from an opening day 2-1 defeat to Pateadores to win their final two games of the showcase. Joshua Hallenberger scored a pair and Kaya Ignacio, who scored the lone goal in the first game, added another in a 3-1 win over the Portland Timbers. On the final day, both Hallenberger and Ignacio scored twice for a 4-1 victory against the San Jose Earthquakes
Both teams resume Development Academy league play this weekend, with a full slate of games against Texans SC at Houston Sports Park on Saturday. This is the last weekend of Development Academy matches before the new year.
Time |
Team |
Field |
|---|---|---|
9:00 a.m. |
U-12 |
4A |
9:00 a.m. |
U-13 |
6 |
10:30 a.m. |
U-12 |
4B |
11:30 a.m. |
U-14 |
5 |
11:30 a.m. |
U-17 |
1 |
2:00 p.m. |
U-15 |
5 |
2:00 p.m. |
U-19 |
1 |
