The Houston Dynamo Academy U-16s finished the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Playoffs group stage tied atop the standings, but lost out on advancing on tiebreakers.
The Dynamo Academy started last Thursday with a 3-0 loss to Vancouver Whitecaps FC, a result that would ultimately do them in. They rebounded Saturday with a 4-2 win over LA Galaxy, which, coupled with Vancouver's loss to the Philadelphia Union the same day, put all four teams on three points heading into the final matchday.
Monday afternoon, the Dynamo went down 1-0 early to the Union, but rallied for a 2-1 win. In the other match in the group, the Dynamo needed a tie or a 1-0 or 2-1 Galaxy win to advance. Instead, Whitecaps FC scored a late winner in the 73rd minute (of an 80 minute match) to secure a 3-2 win and advancement to the knockout round of the the playoffs due to a +3 goal difference against the Dynamo's +0.
