When Houston Dynamo take the field Tuesday night against Pachuca in the semifinals of the inaugural SuperLiga, they will have a number of youth clubs from the Houston-area at Robertson Stadium and watching on television following their every move.
This might not seem unique or out of place, but Tuesday night will be special because a good number of Houston-area youth clubs moved or cancelled games and practices in order to be at the Dynamo's crucial Superliga game.
"We decided to make the move during an appearance by Brad Davis a couple weeks ago," said Cy Fair Dynamos director of training Olivier Finidori. "He spoke to the kids, and we decided right then that we were going to take the night off and go support the Dynamo."
Cy Fair Dynamos is one of at least six youth clubs that moved Tuesday night's games and practices. The others are Texans FC, Texas Premier, Texas SC, Texas Heatwave and Houstonians, but it is expected that more will follow.
The effort to get youth teams to call off games and practices for a night to watch the important international game was started by former player and current Dynamo broadcaster Glenn Davis. Davis said he got the idea last season when the Orange advanced to the MLS Cup Final at Pizza Hut Park.
Davis tried to get youth teams to make the four-hour trek up to Frisco to support Dynamo, but the teams had games. So while Houston was on the field claiming the MLS Cup championship, many youth teams were playing games or practicing. Davis didn't want this opportunity for the kids to learn while watching an important international game be passed up.
"This is a realization and movement that has been going on for years and is now become more prevalent," Davis said. "Youth clubs and directors have to be clear to the public about the full soccer experience that their club can provide. What club would not be endorsing players to get out to live events? This is about creating youth players that will one day be passionate -- not only about soccer, but about life."
Don Gemmell, technical director of soccer for Texas Rush, said coaches and youth directors know how important it is to have Dynamo in Houston. They know that Dynamo games are a great learning tool for youths to and watch.
Gemmell said Texas Rush is holding a competitive camp this week, but for Tuesday, he was willing to move the practices and competition of more than 500 players. It wasn't going to be a night without soccer, though -- on Tuesday night, Gemmell told the youths to either watch Houston's SuperLiga game on TV or attend it.
"This is a learning moment for the kids to be able to go to the games or watch on TV and see how the professionals play the game," Gemmell said. "The kids watch the players at their position, and they see how they play. They watch how the players attack or defend or how they attack on set pieces or defend set pieces, and they get an idea about how they should do it.
"When we take kids to the games, we separate them into two groups with one group watching the home team and one group watching the visiting team. At the half, we will ask them questions about what the teams did right, what they did wrong, who was the best player, etc., in order to help them learn. We know this is a great learning experience for them."
For a lot of the youth groups, the cancellation or moving of games in order to watch Dynamo or international competition will not be a one-time thing. Lee Baker, director of soccer for Texans FC, said his group will move or cancel their own games to watch important international or Dynamo games. He also would like his kids to be able to experience the thrill of professional soccer.
"We want our kids to be able to see the passion and excitement in the stadium," Baker said. "This is a great way to get them ready for the season coming up. We are just now getting them back to training, and we see this as a great opportunity to get them excited. We think it's important for younger players to see these professional matches, so this won't be the last time we do it."
All of the coaches and directors said they have a good relationship with Dynamo, and players like Dynamo midfielder Dwayne De Rosario and goalkeeper Zach Wells among others have attended their practices. The coaches and directors know Dynamo are a great resource and this is a great opportunity for the youths they are teaching.
Baker, Gemmell and Finidori all said Glenn Davis had a big effect on them and helped influence them into making this decision. Davis wants the kids to be able to see a great international competition and be able to learn from the pros.
"To see an international caliber team, one that is as good as any in the Southern Hemisphere in Pachuca reminds us of the good fortune that we in Houston as a community get a healthy diet of live games," Davis said.
"You really have to commend the youth directors that are stepping up and reaching out to create relationships with the Dynamo. It only makes the entire community better that these clubs and [coaching directors] can confidently put aside competitive instincts to do the right thing and encourage their players and parent to get out to the games. It is all about awareness.
"This is player development at its best."
Jeremy Rakes is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
