The Houston Dynamo Academy U-23 team launched their inaugural season last weekend (May 24-26) in the Copa Alianza tournament at Houston Sports Park. The squad reached the semifinals before falling to Regals in a penalty shootout.
Prior to the shootout, the clubs played to a 1-1 draw in the 60 minutes of regulation. Bryan Moya opened the scoring for the U-23s in the third minute, finishing a through ball from Bryan Celis. It was Moya’s second goal of the tournament. The U-23s were forced to finish the game with 10 players after Martin Agredo was sent off after receiving his second yellow card.
The U-23s advanced to the semifinals with a 3-0 quarterfinal victory on Sunday. Moya (19th minute), Mateo Jimenez (34th minute) and Santy Mba Ayecaba (46th minute) provided the goals. Agredo and Raffi Gregorian each recorded an assist.
The U-23s opened the tournament on Saturday with a pair of games against FC Nigeria and Ranchero King. Martin Agredo scored in the 55th minute to lead the Dynamo Academy team to a 1-0 win against FC Nigeria.
The U-23s defeated Ranchero King, 3-0, in the second game on Saturday. Raffi Gregorian (29th minute) and Juan Lopez (55th minute) were among the goal scorers in the victory.
Next up, the U-23s will compete in the U.S. Men Under-23 Cup Tournament from June 13-15 in Horsham, Penn.
The U-23 team is the latest addition to the Dynamo development system. The squad is comprised of former and current Dynamo Academy players as well as players identified through Dynamo Trials. The 2014 season runs through mid-July.
