Houston Dynamo add regional level to Youth Development System

Posted on July 17, 2010

The Houston Dynamo are adding a regional level to their successful Dynamo Youth Development System, presented by Statoil, it was announced today. The Dynamo are partnering with youth clubs to form six Dynamo Juniors programs to help soccer grow in the southern United States, totaling more than 1,000 players.

Dynamo Juniors programs in Mobile, Alabama; Gulfport, Mississippi; Gulf Breeze, Florida; Lafayette, Louisiana; El Paso, Texas; and the Rio Grande Valley will help grow soccer in those regions and give more players a chance to realize their dreams with the Dynamo. Two Houston-area products have already made their way to the professional Dynamo via the Dynamo Academy, and now players from four more states will have similar opportunities.

“What we are aiming to do is expand our player pool in terms of identification of players, but also have an impact in the growth and development of the sport,” James Clarkson, Dynamo Director of Youth Development. “This will impact all levels, from grassroots all the way through elite players.”

Clarkson is traveling to each location to launch the programs, beginning with El Paso today. Dynamo Juniors teams will compete at high levels and develop skilled players who have access to opportunities for soccer development within the Dynamo organization. The teams are also expected to travel to Houston at least once per year to compete against each other and showcase their skills.

More information on the Dynamo Academy is available at HoustonDynamo.com/Academy, and camp information – including tryouts for the Academy – is available at HoustonDynamo.com/camps.

Tickets for Dynamo games and the 2010 AT&T MLS All-Star Game at Houston’s Reliant Stadium are available at HoustonDynamo.com or by calling (713) 276-7500.

The Houston Dynamo are a Major League Soccer club that has won two MLS Cup championships in its first four seasons and represented the United States in international competition in four consecutive years. For more information, log on to www.HoustonDynamo.com or call (713) 276-7500.