For some young members of the Dynamo Academy, this is an unexpected chance of a lifetime.
Four Academy players have been invited to work out with the Dynamo senior team, under the watchful eyes of Dynamo coaches Dominic Kinnear, John Spencer and Mike Toshack. Mario Perez, Tyler Deric, Daniel Roberts and Nick Jankovsky have joined the likes of Brian Ching and Dwayne De Rosario during training.
Perez, 16, of Brownsville makes the eight-hour ride to Houston on holidays and long weekends to train with the Academy team. Perez scored five goals with the U-17 Academy team at the recent MLS Youth Cup during the All-Star break.
"I like the team, the facilities and all the players," said Perez. "They are really nice to me. I'm really happy to be able to be part of this team for now."
The other three players earning time on the training pitch have an easier commute, for now. Goalkeeper Deric recently graduated from Klein High School. Deric is soon on his way to the University of North Carolina. Roberts, a Clements High School grad, will play soccer at North Carolina-Wilmington. Jankovsky, a graduate of Cy Falls, is readying for action at the University of Texas.
