The Houston Dynamo Academy opened the spring half of the 2014-15 season in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy last weekend against MLS rival Sporting Kansas City. The Under-18s carried its pre-holiday form into the new year with a pair of wins, including a 7-0 triumph on Saturday.
The U-18s have won five consecutive games and are 10-1-1 on the season. James Clarkson’s team is in first place in the Frontier Division of the Central Conference and holds a seven-point lead over second-place Texas Rush.
On Saturday, Christian Lucatero recorded a hat trick (76’, 82’ 90’) and Charly Flores, Josue Palomino, Christian Molina and David Koloko each scored as the U-18s scored all seven goals after the 40th minute. Goalkeeper Andy Rios recorded his fifth shutout in seven games this season.
The next day the U-18s overcame a 1-0 deficit as Lucatero entered the match at halftime and provided an equalizer within three minutes for his fourth goal of the weekend. Juan Agredo sealed the 2-1 win with a goal in the 84th minute to cap a six-point weekend.
Lucatero, a member of the U.S. U-18 men’s national team camp in April 2014, leads the squad with seven goals in 11 games. Roberto Marquez, Flores and Koloko are each tied for second with four goals apiece.
The Under-16s drew 1-1 with Sporting KC in both games last weekend. Erwin Regules scored the tying goal in the 32nd minute on Saturday for his first goal of the season. On Sunday, the U-16s fell behind again but Daniel Shahim equalized after 28 minutes for another 1-1 draw. The U-16s are 3-5-4 (13 points) on the season.
The U-15s are 3-3-1 (10 points) in the Texas Pre-Academy League and will resume the season on Jan. 31 versus Andromeda.
The Academy U-14s lost both games vs. Sporting KC over the weekend. Derick Broche scored the lone goal in Saturday’s 5-1 loss. On Sunday, Broche scored again, and Domingo Mba Ayecaba added two goals in a 5-3 defeat. Ayecaba leads the U-14s with seven goals this season.
The Academy U-18s and U-16s continue USSDA play on Saturday, Jan. 24 as they host the Colorado Rapids at Houston Sports Park. The 18s kick off at 10 a.m. while the 16s get underway at 12:30 p.m.
The U-14s next face Solar (Dallas) Chelsea SC on Saturday, Jan. 31 at 3 p.m. Houston Sports Park.
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