Houston Dynamo Academy teams went 1-0-1 on Sunday in non-division play against Indiana United at the Houston Amateur Sports Park. Both teams will wrap up their regular season next Saturday, hosting the Texas Rush at 9 a.m. (U-18) and 11:30 a.m. (U-16).
The Dynamo U-16s continued their hot streak, cruising to a 2-0 win that gives them an eight-game unbeaten streak (7-0-1) and a 9-1-2 record in 2011, including Dallas Cup play. Houston started with several changes in its lineup on Sunday, with the game not counting toward the Texas Division standings but potentially impacting the club's chances of a wildcard playoff spot.
Despite the changes, the Dynamo dominated the first half, piling up an 8-1 shot advantage while playing with the wind. The best chance of the half came in the 21st minute, when left winger Christian Manisck (Awty International) played the ball toward the top of the penalty area. Raymundo Marquez (Katy Cinco Ranch) ran past the ball and onto a return pass from Manuel Chavez (Cy Springs), but Marquez's shot was cleared by an Indiana United defender. Chavez had several clear chances late in the half, seeing a goal ruled out for offside in the 30th minute and a shot from the top of the box saved shortly before halftime.
In the second half, despite going against the wind, Houston continued to dominate. Halftime substitute Bryan Salazar (Fort Bend Bush) played Manisck into the box in the 43rd minute, but his point-blank shot was denied by the sliding Indiana United goalkeeper. Houston did break through in the 48th minute, when Chavez did well to win the ball on the left side of the penalty area and laid the ball backward for central midfielder Jorge Andrade (Cy Ridge), who ripped a right-footed one-timer into the top right corner of the net.
The Dynamo sealed the game in the 64th minute when substitute Lorenzo Salazar (Houston Austin) stole the ball from a defender and moved in on goal with the same defender hot on his heels. Salazar's initial shot was saved, but the rebound caromed off the unfortunate defender and rolled across the goal line. Goalkeeper Juan Navarrete (Katy Cinco Ranch) made three saves for the shutout as Houston held an 18-4 shot advantage.
With the win, the U-16s improve their overall league record for the 2010-11 campaign to 14-7-1 and improve their points per game average to 1.95. If Houston does not finish as one of the top two teams in the Texas Division, the Dynamo would still be favored to capture one of 12 wildcard spots for the June playoffs in Frisco. Last year's points per game cutoff in the U-16 age bracket was 1.64, and that is the current number as well. A win against the Texas Rush next Saturday, however, would clinch at least a tie for second place in the division.
The Houston U-18s played to a 1-1 tie in the opening game on Sunday, with Diego Velazquez scoring the Houston goal. Next Saturday's finale against the Texas Rush will be the final Dynamo Academy appearance for several veterans who have been with the program since its inception.
U-16: Indiana United (7-12-0) vs. Houston Dynamo (14-7-1)
May 22, 2011 -- Houston Amateur Sports Park
USSF Development Academy League
Scoring Summary:
HOU -- Jorge Andrade (Manuel Chavez) 48
HOU -- Own goal 64
Houston Dynamo Academy -- Juan Navarrete, Matthew Alarcon (Nelson Castro 64), Bradley Bourgeois, Luis Mendoza, Alex Ochoa (David Dauajare 72), James Fallon (Bryan Salazar 41), Christian Diaz (Alan Arellano 59), Jorge Andrade, Raymundo Marquez (Gabriel Moreno 72), Christian Manisck (Branco Ramirez 54), Manuel Chavez (Lorenzo Salazar 61).
All statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial.
U-18: Indiana United (7-5-7) vs. Houston Dynamo (5-11-6)
May 22, 2011 -- Houston Amateur Sports Park
USSF Development Academy League
Scoring Summary:
HOU -- Diego Velazquez (unassisted) 40
IND -- Asa Miller 55
Houston Dynamo Academy -- Pedro Gutierrez Mora (Kevin Suarez 46), Christian Gonzalez, Juan Ramirez (Alan Hernandez 63), Erik Tello, Leo Ayala, Diego Velazquez, Bryan Celis, Miguel Zapata, Irvinn Ramirez (Marco Chacon 74), Hector Ramirez (Isaiah Noreiga 50), Nono (Juan Lopez 85).
All statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial.
