It's been four months since the Dynamo U-16s, presented by Statoil, were on the wrong end of the result in a league game. Since a 2-1 home loss to Solar Chelsea on December 15, the Eddie Robinson-coached squad has gone unbeaten in 12 consecutive games, culminating with last weekend's 1-0 win over Classics Elite in San Antonio.
Despite playing a Classics squad that is winless in 2013 and that played with only ten men for the second half, the Dynamo squeaked through with a 1-0 win to keep their streak alive. Striker Elo Ozumba (pictured, above) scored the game's lone goal in the 25th minute to give the Dynamo the win. Ozumba's 17th goal of the season puts him in a tie for second in the overall USSDA U-16 scoring race. Ozumba and midfielder Christian Lucatero are also the highest scoring duo (27 goals combined) in the USSDA U-16 Central Conference.
Prior to the U-16 victory over Classics, the Dynamo U-18s drew with the home side 2-2. Playing without an injured Bryan Salazar, the Dynamo took a 1-0 deficit into the halftime break. Houston responded in the second half, leveling the match in the 55th minute when Jorge Contreras sent a ball into the middle of the penalty box that deflected off a Classics' defender and past the goalkeeper. The home side responded minutes later, as Reis Wooley's 58th-minute blast put Classics ahead 2-1. The Dynamo pushed for the equalizer, though, and found it in the 72nd minute.
The play began in the Dynamo's defensive half, as the squad moved the ball around and found Irvin Ramirez on the left flank. Ramirez spun a defender and worked the ball back to the right side of the field. After consecutive one-touch passes, the ball found its way to Michael Odenigwe at the top of the penalty box. Odenigwe layed the ball off to Ramirez who beat goalkeeper Ismael Ortiz to the right side.
After two straight weeks on the road, the Dynamo Academy will head home this week to take on the Colorado Rapids Academy, Sunday at the Houston Amateur Sports Park. The U-18s will kick off at 10 a.m. with the U-16s to follow at 12:30 p.m.
PLAYOFF UPDATE
With four games to go in the regular season, the Dynamo U-18s are in a fight for one of the top three spots in the division. Following last weekend's draw, the U-18s sit in fourth place with a 13-4-6 record and 1.96 points per game average. The team closest to the Dynamo in the standings is Solar Chelsea, who have a 1.95 points per game average and have two games in hand on Houston.
The Dynamo U-16 are sitting comfortably toward the top of their table with a 17-3-3 record and a 2.35 points per game average, tied for third best in the country. The Dynamo trail the FC Dallas U-16s by .02 in the race for the division title, but have played two more games than their MLS Academy rival. The two teams will meet in the regular season finale on June 1 at FC Dallas Sports Park.
PRE-ACADEMY UPDATE
In Pre-Academy league action, the Dynamo went 2-0-1 on the weekend. The U-15s won 2-0 behind goals from Andrew Giraldo and Edwin Gomez. The U-14s won 4-0 with Alejandro Dominguez scoring two goals and Giandemir Jean and Gianluca Natera scoring one each. The U-13s drew 1-1 with Johan Benitez scoring Houston's goal.
U-18: Houston Dynamo (13-4-6) at Classics Elite (4-17-2)
April 20, 2013 -- STAR Soccer Complex
USSF Development Academy League
Scoring Summary:
CLA -- Fernando Mercado 35
HOU -- Jorge Contreras 55
CLA -- Reis Woolley 58
HOU -- Irvin Ramirez 72
U-16: Houston Dynamo (17-3-3) at Classics Elite (0-23-0)
April 20, 2013 -- STAR Soccer Complex
USSF Development Academy League
Scoring Summary:
HOU -- Elochukwu Ozumba 25
U-15: Houston Dynamo (14-2-5) at Classics Elite (1-18-0)
April 21, 2013
Texas Pre-Academy Leage
Scoring Summary:
HOU -- Edwin Gomez
HOU -- Andrew Giraldo
U-14: Houston Dynamo (13-8-0) at Classics Elite (2-18-0)
April 21, 2013
Texas Pre-Academy League
Scoring Summary:
HOU -- Giandemir Jaen
HOU -- Alejandro Dominguez
HOU -- Alejandro Dominguez
HOU -- Gianluca Natera
U-13: Houston Dynamo (9-4-7) at Classics Elite (4-11-4)
April 21, 2013
Texas Pre-Academy League
Scoring Summary:
HOU -- Johan Benitez
CLA -- goal
All statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial.
