The Houston Dynamo Academy swept a five-game series against RISE Soccer Club on Saturday in the first matchups between both clubs in the new MLS Next format.
In the early match, the Dynamo Academy U-13 team earned the first clean sheet of the day with a 3-0 victory with goals from Omar Bolanos, Oscar Grinsfelder and Salem Sharif. The counterattack and rotation of the ball played a large role in the success of the U-13 squad on Saturday.
The U-14 side scored three goals to earn a 3-2 comeback victory against RISE. Sebastian Rodriguez, Mo Kallon and Osagie Akhigbe each tallied a goal for the Dynamo.
Evan Jimerson and Andre Gitau led the U-15 team to a 2-0 victory and the second clean sheet of the day against RISE. The cross-town rivals were limited by the Dynamo backline and their pressure forced a takeover from Anthony Velasquez to spark the second goal of the match. Velasquez found Luis Orozco and the defender found Gitau between the lines for the final goal of the match.
Joseph Farouz scored a brace, and with goals from Ricky Garcia and Reese Miller the U-17 squad earned a 4-2 victory over RISE. This was the first brace for Farouz this season, and his opening goal set the tone for the match that saw the entire gameday roster on the field throughout the match.
The U-19 squad finished the weekend slate with a 3-2 victory with goals from Juan Castilla, Jack Clarkson and Mouhamed Tucker. The trio combined for the game-winning goal after Castilla linked up with Tucker and found Clarkson for the third goal of the game.
The U-13 and U-14 squads return to play on Tuesday evening against Dynamo Unidos,while the rest of the Academy age groups return to action on Saturday when they host RGV FC at Houston Sports Park.
