The Houston Dynamo Academy, presented by StatoilHydro, is optimistic heading into its second trip down to Mexico to face off against international competition. The Dynamo will be lining up both their U-15 and U-18 squads against Chivas, Atlas, and UAG Tecos, all based in Guadalajara.
The Dynamo's two teams combined last year to go 2-3-1 against their respected competition, including a 1-0 win over Atlas at the U-18 level on a last-minute goal from defender C.J. Odenigwe (Fort Bend Travis). Dynamo Director of Youth Development James Clarkson is very hopeful about this year's trip.
"I expect us to be more competitive," Clarkson said. "We did well last year and had some good results. We are taking a lot of different players (from last year), but we know what to expect as the level of play will be very high."
The U-18 team will be fielding a very young team, consisting predominately of 15- and 16-year-olds. Despite the team's relatively young age, Clarkson is expecting a solid display of maturity both on and off the field.
"Though they haven't played many games yet together on the field, the camaraderie of traveling together to a foreign country, dealing with the stress of the travel, food, and the climate; all these add up to life experiences that hopefully will pay off down the line," Clarkson said."
Several of the players who played last year for the U-15 team have just made the rise up to the older squad. Their experience in international play will be critical for the team's success this time around.
Michael Parrish (Cy Creek), who is widely expected to be one of the Dynamo's most successful Academy players, will be called upon for his leadership from right back. Parrish missed out on the trip last year due to a concussion in a high school game the night before the team was scheduled to leave.
"I'm really excited about this opportunity," Parrish said. "We've been training very hard learning the formations and styles that they play with. After missing out on the trip last year, I've been carrying an extra chip on my shoulder over these games so I'm anxious to get out there."
When asked how he felt the team would respond to the trip after last year's results, Parish said, "I believe we will be very relaxed going into this trip. Most of us went last year and know what to expect, so there's not that new feeling about the games. We are excited to play against the style of play our counterparts will bring."
The teams will be traveling to Guadalajara on Friday and returning on Monday after their games against Chivas, Atlas, and Tecos on Saturday and Sunday. There is even a chance the Dynamo will get to play in famed Estadio Jalisco, the home of Atlas and Chivas that seats more than 55,000.
The trip is the first of several major trips this year; the Dynamo will send a U-19 team to the Dallas Cup in April, and a U-17 squad will embark on the club's first European tour in August.
