The Houston Dynamo Academy Under-15 team continued group stage play in the inaugural Torneo Internacional on Tuesday in Mexico City. Kevin Mendez scored a vital equalizer in the 65th minute as the Dynamo and Chicago Fire played to a 1-1 draw in the second group stage game for both clubs.
The Dynamo (1 point) and Fire (1 point) are even in points entering Wednesday’s final day of group stage play, but the Dynamo (-2) holds the goal difference tiebreaker over the Fire (-3).
“The last 15 minutes were fantastic as we increased the pressure and forced the game,” said Dynamo director of youth development James Clarkson. “(Kevin) Mendez scored a great goal from a terrific pass from Jesus Ortiz. We had another great chance to win at the end. We created enough chances to win the game, so we are slightly disappointed, but with 15 minutes to go and one goal down, we are happy with the point and to still be in it.”
The Dynamo U-15s face C.F. Pachuca (6 points) on Wednesday at 10 a.m. before the Fire meets Chivas Guadalajara (3 points) at noon to complete play within Group 1.
Monarcas Morelia (6 points) leads Group 2, followed by FC Atlas (3 points), Toronto FC (3 points) and FC Dallas (0 points).
The MLS club with the most points from Group 1 will meet the top MLS club in Group 2 in Friday’s semifinals. Similarly, the top Liga MX finisher in each group will advance to the semifinals. The semifinal winners will meet in the final on Sunday at Estadio Azteca.
The Torneo Internacional is a collaboration between Liga MX and MLS for the two leagues to share ideas and compete on the field to gain more international experience at the youth levels. The competition features four U-15 Academy teams from MLS and four U-15 Academy teams from Liga MX.
Follow the Dynamo Academy on Twitter @DynamoAcademy for the latest news and tournament information from Mexico City.
