The Houston Dynamo Academy returns to Generation adidas Cup activity this weekend as they host 10 MLS Under-17 and Under-15 teams at Houston Sports Park.
The Dynamo Under-17 squad look to build on two victories in Group A play last October. The Dynamo defeated FC Dallas 1-0 and the Portland Timbers 3-1 at Dick’s Sporting Good Park. The Dynamo currently sit third in Group A and open the weekend against Vancouver Whitecaps FC team at 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14 on Field 2. Houston returns to Field 2 on Saturday, Feb. 15 to host LAFC at 6 p.m. and they finish group play against FC Dallas at 1 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 17.
Three Dynamo Academy players who joined the first team in South Texas will be eligible to play this weekend. Midfielder Juan Castilla, goalkeeper Logan Erb and forward Daniel Rios joined U-19 midfielder Josh Hallenberger in McAllen last week as the Dynamo played two preseason scrimmages against the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley and their USL Championship hybrid affiliate, Rio Grande Valley FC.
Under-17 head coach Brian Reed will look to add the trio into a rotation that includes forward Alex Borsos, midfielder Jack Clarkson and midfielder Ronaldo Guzman. This is the first competitive action for the U-17 squad in 2020 after finishing 2019 against the LA Galaxy.
At the Under-17 level, the top two teams from each group after this round of qualification will advance to the Division 1 Generation adidas Cup Finals at Toyota Soccer Center in Frisco, Texas later this year. Teams that finish in third or fourth place will play in Division 2 and the remaining teams will play in Division 3.
The Dynamo U-15 team look to bounce back after splitting the first round of games in Colorado last October. The Dynamo held the Colorado Rapids to a 2-2 draw at home but fell in penalty kicks. The Dynamo responded by blowing out the Portland Timbers 6-2 and closed the first round of group games with a 4-1 loss to FC Dallas.
Houston will open at the U-15 level against Vancouver Whitecaps at 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14 at Field 6. The Dynamo face LAFC the following day at 1 p.m. and close the group against FC Dallas at 9 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 17.
Under-15 head coach Hiroyuki Suzuki will look to Zac Escobar-Bowie and Ricardo Garcia to lead the team to the final stage in North Texas later this year. The Dynamo duo have combined for 15 goals this season.
The four group winners of the Under-15 qualification stage will advance to the Final Event, an eight-team international challenge later this year. The full schedule and results will be available on MLSSoccer.com.
