Both Dynamo Academy teams turned in outstanding performances in games Wednesday night against local club teams at the Outdoor Education Campus of the Presbyterian School.
The Dynamo U-18 team, gearing up for its trip to compete in the U-19 competition at the prestigious Dallas Cup, crushed local side Houstonians 8-1. Christian Cruz (home school / Houstonians) scored four goals and Carlos Recinos (Cy Ridge / Houstonians) added two to lead the way. They were joined on the scoresheet by Abe Matamoros (Strake Jesuit / Texas Premier) and Josue Garcia (Jersey Village / Houstonians).
"It was a fantastic display of attacking football," Dynamo Director of Youth Development James Clarkson said. "Our movement, passing and finishing were first-class."
The Dynamo U-15 team, which consists mostly of players as young as 12, lost 2-1 against a U-16 club from Texans FC. After the Dynamo fell behind, Josue Morales (Houston Chavez / Texas Premier) tied the score with a free kick. The Texans grabbed a late goal to take the win.
"The boys played very well against a quality, older, bigger and stronger youth team," Clarkson said.
The U-18 team is aiming its preparations toward the 29th Dallas Cup later this month. The Dynamo will compete in the U-19 age group and were drawn in Bracket B alongside Knowsley Youth (England), HPFC Heat Blue (Seattle) and Texas Cyclones White (Dallas).
The Dynamo will play Knowsley March 17 at 2 p.m. at Richland College, HPFC Heat March 18 at 10 a.m. at Richland College and the Texas Cyclones on March 19 at 4 p.m. at the Pizza Hut Park complex. The five bracket winners and three wildcards advance to the elimination rounds March 21-23.
Last year, the Dynamo went 2-1 in group play of the U-19 age group, then advanced to the tournament final with dominating wins before losing to IMG Soccer Academy in a championship shootout.
