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| MYSA/Border Bandits Soccer Club, 4311 N. 10th St. , Suite A, McAllen, TX. 78504 Phone 956-631-0431 Fax 956-631-6521 |
In an effort to expand its search for elite soccer talent, the Houston Dynamo has established the
Dynamo South Texas Academy ("DSTA"), it was announced Thursday.
The Dynamo and McAllen Youth Soccer Association ("MYSA") will partner on the creation of this
new youth initiative. The partnership will establish one of the premier youth development programs
in Texas. It will strongly impact soccer in South Texas, provide greater developmental
opportunities, and identify professional prospects for the Dynamo.
The DSTA will consist of two boys' teams, aged U-17 and U-15. The U-17 team will conduct its first
practice on Tuesday, October 2 at a location yet to be determined, while the U-15 team will begin
play in the spring. Thirty-six of the Rio Grande Valley's top players will be represented on these
Academy teams.
The DSTA will follow all of the guidelines, mission statements, and philosophies of the current
Dynamo Academy, based out of Houston.
The day-to-day operations of the DSTA will be managed by MYSA. Although the Academy will be
based in McAllen, weekly training sessions and other activities will be held in other cities in the
region, such as Harlingen and Brownsville.
"The South Texas region is an absolute hot bed of talent for soccer," said Dynamo Director of
Youth Development James Clarkson. "We've established this academy not only to further the
awareness of soccer in the South Texas region, but also to identify talent that is looking for the
future opportunity to play professionally with the Houston Dynamo or in Major League Soccer."
The coaching staff for the DSTA includes Gary Hamilton and Dan Balaguero of the University of
Texas at Brownsville.
The DSTA is sponsored by Amigo Energy, the official home and business energy sponsor of the
Dynamo. The Dynamo is planning several activities in South Texas, and Amigo Energy will have a
significant presence and role in all of them.
While in town, the Houston Dynamo will survey the South Texas region for possible future activities,
including Spring Training and games.
"We are focused on establishing the best youth development program in Major League Soccer,"
said Dynamo Chief Operating Officer, Chris Canetti. "Our goal is to grow the sport, develop players,
and identify talent for the Dynamo First Team. We recognize the wealth of talent in South Texas, and
as a result, we are expanding our efforts with these goals in mind."
| Dynamo establish South Texas academy |
Dynamo Academy Team Gets Off to Impressive Start
The first game for any new youth soccer team is always a test. But, when your first game
is played against a college soccer team that is leading their division, the challenge is even
greater. The first game for the Academy team was on October 4th against the University of
Texas at Brownsville men’s soccer team. At the end of a very hard fought and physical
match the Dynamo South Texas Academy won 1-0!
Most of they players on the current academy team are 16-17 years old. There are a few
players that are 18 and even a couple that are 14. All of those that attended the game got
time on the field. Even with all of the substitutions, the play remained at a very high and
consistent level. “The excitement of this team and the opportunities that it presents has
caused every player to pick up their level of play,” said Gary Hamilton, head coach of the
DSTA.
Even though the game was played on a weekday evening in Brownsville with no publicity,
well over 100 people showed up to watch the match. A number of young children stayed
after the game to meet the Dynamo Academy players and get their autographs. The
Dynamo South Texas Academy is looking forward to their November 2nd trip to Houston
where they will be introduced at halftime of the Houston Dynamo MLS play off game and
get to train with and scrimmage the Houston Academy team.
The first game for any new youth soccer team is always a test. But, when your first game
is played against a college soccer team that is leading their division, the challenge is even
greater. The first game for the Academy team was on October 4th against the University of
Texas at Brownsville men’s soccer team. At the end of a very hard fought and physical
match the Dynamo South Texas Academy won 1-0!
Most of they players on the current academy team are 16-17 years old. There are a few
players that are 18 and even a couple that are 14. All of those that attended the game got
time on the field. Even with all of the substitutions, the play remained at a very high and
consistent level. “The excitement of this team and the opportunities that it presents has
caused every player to pick up their level of play,” said Gary Hamilton, head coach of the
DSTA.
Even though the game was played on a weekday evening in Brownsville with no publicity,
well over 100 people showed up to watch the match. A number of young children stayed
after the game to meet the Dynamo Academy players and get their autographs. The
Dynamo South Texas Academy is looking forward to their November 2nd trip to Houston
where they will be introduced at halftime of the Houston Dynamo MLS play off game and
get to train with and scrimmage the Houston Academy team.
Dynamo South Texas Academy head to Dallas Cup April 4th.
This is the 1st Valley group ever to go to this world wide youth tournament. The group
will compete in the U19 Division. This is a great way to send off our seniors that started
the Dynamo Academy in the Valley. The group have done an excellent job since coming
together completing in the State final 4 as a younger group, playing against College
teams and traveling all over the State and to Monterrey always playing the game to a
very high standard and having great win to losses record (says head coach Gary
Hamilton) I'm very proud of these young men whom many have now got great college
scholarships and will go on to greater things in life. The new group of DTSA U16/U17 has
already started and we are looking for talented players in these age groups. For
information call 956-631-0431 or ghamilton@houstondynamo.com
This is the 1st Valley group ever to go to this world wide youth tournament. The group
will compete in the U19 Division. This is a great way to send off our seniors that started
the Dynamo Academy in the Valley. The group have done an excellent job since coming
together completing in the State final 4 as a younger group, playing against College
teams and traveling all over the State and to Monterrey always playing the game to a
very high standard and having great win to losses record (says head coach Gary
Hamilton) I'm very proud of these young men whom many have now got great college
scholarships and will go on to greater things in life. The new group of DTSA U16/U17 has
already started and we are looking for talented players in these age groups. For
information call 956-631-0431 or ghamilton@houstondynamo.com
| Great success Dynamo Academy in Monterrey and Houston |
