DYNAMO PRESS: Houston Dynamo launch Under-23 team
DYNAMO PRESS: Houston Dynamo launch Under-23 team
Apr 16, 2014
The Houston Dynamo have launched a new Under-23 team to begin competing this season, it was announced today.
The U-23 team is the latest addition to the Dynamo development system and will bridge the gap between the Houston Dynamo Academy and the first team. The squad will be comprised of former and current Dynamo Academy players as well as players identified through Dynamo Trials.
"This is another step forward for our player development system,” Dynamo director of youth development James Clarkson said. “It will be great to work with the college players again and hopefully we find some outstanding talent at the Trials. I'm very confident of putting together a very competitive group this summer."
The 2014 season will run from mid-May through mid-July. The team will be managed under the direction of the Dynamo Academy and will be coached by Clarkson, assistant director Eddie Robinson and technical coordinator Tom Harris.
The squad will compete in the U.S. Men Under-23 Cup Tournament from June 13-15 in Horsham, Penn. Additionally, the U-23 team will compete in Copa Alianza at Houston Sports Park from May 24-26. The squad will also participate in other tournaments and friendly games to be announced at a later date.
The roster will continue to be constructed through mid-May. The following players (all former members of the Houston Dynamo Academy) are confirmed for the squad:
Name Position Age University Hometown
Bryan Celis Midfielder 20 Kentucky Katy
Christian Diaz Midfielder 19 West Virginia Houston
Juan Lopez Midfielder 20 Purdue Calumet Houston
Alex Ochoa Defender 19 West Virginia Pasadena
Fernando Pina Goalkeeper 20 Akron Houston
Miguel Zapata Midfielder 20 Houston Baptist Katy
The date and details for Dynamo Trials will be announced soon. The full roster will also be announced at a later date.
Other Major League Soccer clubs with U-23 teams include the Chicago Fire, D.C. United, Montreal Impact, Portland Timbers, San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders FC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
The Dynamo visit the Philadelphia Union on Saturday at 3 p.m. CT from PPL Park in Chester, PA. The club returns to BBVA Compass Stadium on Sunday, April 27 to host the Portland Timbers. For tickets, visit www.HoustonDynamo.com or call 713-276-GOAL.
ABOUT THE HOUSTON DYNAMO
The Houston Dynamo are a Major League Soccer club that has won two MLS Cup championships and four conference championships in its first eight seasons and qualified to represent the United States in international competition six times. The team currently trains in the Houston Methodist Champions’ Field at Houston Sports Park (HSP), the premier training facility in Southeast Texas, and plays at BBVA Compass Stadium in downtown Houston. For more information, log on to www.HoustonDynamo.com or call (713) 276-7500.