HOUSTON — On Saturday night, the Houston Dynamo play in their second annual Dynamo Charities Cup match as they square off against CD Aguila from El Salvador.
The Charities Cup match will provide the Dynamo the opportunity to accomplish several goals in just one game. The most important goal for any Charities Cup match would be to raise funds.
“For the fans and the charities, we are looking to put on a good performance and entertain the people that come out,” said forward Cam Weaver. “[We want to] show Aguila, the team from El Salvador, we know how to play good soccer, get a win, and raise some good money for the charities.”
While the game is merely an exhibition match, it provides Houston’s three trialists, midfielders Anthony Obodai and Juan Manuel Quevedo along with defender Kendall Waston, the opportunity to show how they can perform in match conditions.
“They are still trying to adjust to the heat to be honest,” said midfielder Corey Ashe. “We will see more Saturday, but it looks like they have potential, so we’ll see if they can fit into the system and do well Saturday.”
For players already on the roster like Weaver and Ashe, they get the opportunity to continue to make a case to coach Dominic Kinnear for additional playing time.
“All the games are important, every game you have a chance to play in and even in training, you have to fight for your place,” said Weaver. “You get your chance, you have to take it. It’s huge for all of our strikers who want to partner with [Brian] Ching and all the rest of players on the team fighting for a spot. When these chances come up you have to take them.”
“It’s always important,” agreed Ashe. “It’s important in practice to practice and work hard so that [carries] on to the field. I am just going to go out and try to do what’s asked of me and that’s get crosses in the box and be effective. If I do that, everything will fall into place.”
For a Dynamo team coming off three consecutive league losses for only the second time in club history, the match against Aguila will provide the team the opportunity to try to gain some fitness and hopefully some confidence before returning to MLS play next week.
“For me personally, it’s about staying healthy, getting my fitness up and keeping my body strong,” said Weaver. “From a team perspective, a lot of the same things, staying sharp and keeping our fitness up.”
“We’re just trying to go out there and right the ship,” said Ashe.
Dwain Capodice is a contributor to MLSsoccer.com. Questions or Comments can be sent via email to dwaincapodice@gmail.com.
