The Houston Dynamo are taking the next step in youth development, with the formation of competitive teams at the U-13, U-14, and U-15 levels. The teams will compete in the U.S. Club Soccer Texas Pre-Academy League, which is the latest addition to U.S. Club Soccer’s National Premier Leagues. Eight teams comprise the Texas division, including Houston-area clubs Texas Rush and Texans SC, and MLS club FC Dallas.
The Dynamo Youth Development System, presented by Statoil, currently fields U-16 and U-18 teams in the USSF Development Academy League. Last season, the U-18 squad advanced to the USSF Development Academy playoffs but fell one point short of advancing to Finals Week.
TRY OUT FOR THE DYNAMO ACADEMY
“This is an opportunity for us to have a bigger impact on our younger players,” Dynamo Director of Youth Development James Clarkson said. “The majority of the players will come from our Jr. Academy, who we currently only get to see once or twice a week. This way, the players will have a full training schedule with competitive games on weekends."
Each team in the league will play a total of 14 regular-season games, including home and away matches against the other clubs. The team with the most points at the end of the season will advance to the National Premier Leagues Champions Cup in July 2012.
“We are offering these younger players a unique experience,” Clarkson said. “Our Academy gives players access to unique learning opportunities and provides them a clear path to the Dynamo first team.”
Since its inception in 2007, the Dynamo have signed four players directly from their Academy program. Tryouts for the new teams will be held on May 10, May 17, and May 24, from 7-9 p.m. at the Houston Amateur Sports Park. Tryouts are free of charge and are open to players born in 1996, 1997, and 1998. Players can only sign up for one of the three try outs.
Download registration form
Participants also have the option to download a registration form and mail it back to the Dynamo offices. Click here to download the form.
