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Academy FAQ

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Academy Mission Statement

To provide a professional soccer learning environment where players can strive to fulfill their full potential. To produce MLS standard players and young men capable of being successful in a non-professional soccer environment.

Opportunities only available to Academy players
  1. Playing for the Houston Dynamo
  2. Coaching, evaluations, and direct personal contact with Dynamo first team coaches
  3. Training with the first team
  4. Play competitive games in Robertson Stadium
  5. Performance training at Plex
  6. Playing international professional teams
  7. Going from high school / college to the Dynamo
  8. Schoolwork tutoring for all Academy players

United States Soccer Federation Development Academy

How's it going to work
  • Dynamo Academy U-18 and U-16 teams - 22 players will be selected for each squad
  • Players must be born after January 1, 1991 (U-18) and after January 1, 1993 (U-16)
  • Academy teams will train four times per week (Monday-Thursday), September-December and April-August. Teams will train twice per week (Monday, Wednesday) January-April
  • Players will be allowed to play high school soccer
  • Players will not be allowed to play for their old club team (players will be able to play out the season with their club team - state, regional, and national)
  • Only 16 players will travel when flying; 18 players will travel when driving
  • The program will be fully funded. There will be no training fee, no game fee, no hotel costs, and no transportation fee
  • Non-USSF Development Academy events (international travel, Dallas Cup, etc.) costs will be players' responsibility
  • All food will be the players' responsibility

Playing Schedule

The playing schedule will be released in August. It will be schedule of at least 30 games running from September-June, with playoffs in June. We will play in the Texas Division of the Central Conference and participate in two showcase tournaments in the fall and spring. Parent Information

The following resources are helpful to educate parents on the Academy program:
  1. Find out more about the Development Academy by watching these following videos:
    1. "What's It About"
    2. "Development Academy : The Next Step"
    3. Interview with U.S. national team head coach Bob Bradley at Development Academy Fall Showcase in October 2007
  2. Further questions about the Development Academy can be answered in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy FAQ
Dynamo Player Development System
Youth Development players will try to follow in the footsteps of Tyler Deric, the first Dynamo Academy player ever to sign with the first team.