Dynamo Academy defeats alumni in annual showcase game

The Houston Dynamo held their annual Dynamo Academy Showcase, Monday night at the Houston Amateur Sports Park. The showcase, held each December, pits the currenty Dynamo Academy U-18 squad, presented by Statoil, against a group comprised of Dynamo Academy players who are currently playing collegiate soccer. The collegiate squad was coached by first team head coach Dominic Kinnear and Dynamo U-16 head coach Eddie Robinson.

The Dynamo U-18s won the match 1-0 behind a second-half goal from midfielder Jorge Andrade, who slotted who a beautiful through-ball from Irvinn Ramirez.

Both squads were active in the match and tested the goalkeepers often. The collegiate squads best chance came in the 58th minute, when Bryan Celis' shot was cleared off the line by an Academy defender. Goalkeeper Fernando Pina, who recently competed his freshman year at the University of Akron, made an acrobatic save in the second half on a point-blank shot from midfielder Gian Carlo Rojas.

Dynamo Director of Youth Development James Clarkson, who doubles as head coach of the U-18 squad, was pleased with the match and the high-level of competition.

"I thought it was one of the best showcase games I have been a part of and that is a testament to the players currently in our program and those who have continued their careers in college," Clarkson said. "These games show the high caliber player tha that the Dynamo Academy can produce, and I look forward to seeing us take things to the next level."