Houston Dynamo 2 open the team’s inaugural season this Saturday, when they host Whitecaps FC 2 at AVEVA Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. CT and is one of four MLS NEXT Pro games being played on Saturday.
Houston Dynamo 2 marks the final step in the integrated player pathway from the Houston Dynamo Academy through to the first team. MLS NEXT Pro offers young and high-potential players the opportunity to hone their skills on a weekly basis against some of the best young athletes in the country, which is a crucial component of player development.
The Houston Dynamo 2 roster includes players with first team experience such as homegrown midfielders Juan Castilla and Marcelo Palomino, midfielder Ian Hoffman, and 2022 MLS SuperDraft first round pick Thor Ulfarsson.
In addition, the team also features several exciting young prospects that have not yet suited up for the first team such as homegrown midfielder Brooklyn Raines, homegrown goalkeeper Xavier Valdez and 2021 MLS SuperDraft first round pick Ethan Bartlow.
The team will be competing in the Frontier Division in MLS NEXT Pro’s Western Conference. After a 24-game regular season, a total of eight teams, four from each conference, will qualify for the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs. This includes the top team from each division, and the two teams with the next most points in each conference.
For tickets and additional information, visit HoustonDynamoFC.com/Dynamo2.
Here are three key points ahead of Saturday’s match:
- COLLABORATIVE ROSTER BUILD: While Dynamo 2 is undoubtedly distinct from the first team, Paulo Nagamura’s influence should not be underestimated. Dynamo 2 head coach Kenny Bundy says that he is in constant communication with the first team head coach, particularly when it comes to building out the roster. Being in the same building as the first team allows Bundy and Houston Dynamo assistant general manager Nick Kowba, who is heading the front office responsibilities for Dynamo 2, the opportunity to get Nagamura’s insight and collaborate for the team’s first campaign.
- POTENTIAL PENALTY SHOOTOUT: One aspect of MLS NEXT Pro that will separate it from its first-division counterpart is that MLS NEXT Pro is doing away with draws. Instead, if a game is tied at the end of the full 90 minutes, the game will go directly into a penalty shootout. The team that comes out on top in the shootout will be awarded two points in the season standings.
- DYNAMO ACADEMY PRODUCTS ABOUND: Those familiar with the Dynamo Academy will recognize a few familiar faces on the pitch on Saturday night. Midfielders Juan Castilla and Marcelo Palomino, defender Mujeeb Murana and forward Roberto “Beto” Avila all played for the Dynamo Academy before moving on. Castilla moved from the Dynamo Academy to the first team, while Palomino spent last season on loan at Charlotte Independence. Murana played college soccer at Saint Louis University for three seasons. Avila went from the Dynamo Academy to the USL’s Austin Bold FC. Now, they will all be featured on the same field at AVEVA Stadium.
