News

The Girls Academy headed to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida from March 9-14 and played twenty four (24) games in six (6) days on first class facilities with hundreds of college coaching staff present.  All age groups played a minimum of four games with a maximum of one game per day.

For this specific event, participants qualified based on final league standings and consisted of two (2) clubs from each of the eight (8) conferences. Additionally, for the U14 through U19 age groups, the top (2) best-performing and highest-ranked wildcard teams at the National Playoff from each age group were added to the mix for a total of twenty (20) teams per age group. Click here to learn more about the qualification process.

The following teams had tremendous success against the best teams in the country.  The 2009 age group finished up as back to back finalists for the second year running along with the 2010 and 2007 age group finishing as semi-finalists.

“The Champions Cup Finals once again produced an unmatched, competitive atmosphere, said Steven Grave, Girls Academy Head Coach.  "The GA put on a tremendous event providing elite competition for our athletes to be scouted in front of hundreds of college coaches.”

One hundred percent of the 2023 GA graduation class have all committed to college and we look forward to following them through their collegiate careers starting this fall season. 

Pictured above: Houston Dash Girls Academy 2009 Finalists

Dash City 11 North and Dash City 12 North attended the Las Vegas Mayor's Cup | International Tournament and Showcase over the weekend of February 24-26

Day 1:
The trip started with a training session with Coaches Mike Openshaw (Dash City North Director) & Stuart Taylor (GA2 Head Coach) in preparation for the event. After a team lunch, both teams visited the Las Vegas welcome sign for a photo opportunity before heading to their hotels for downtime. After dinner, the teams walked to the Bellagio hotel fountains for another photo opportunity.

Day 2:
The second day featured game competition. Dash City 11 North beat ISC Gunners 11G Pre-GA & Boise Timbers 11G Nationals to secure their place in the semi-finals on Sunday. Dash City 12 North came out on top against Colorado Rapids Central 12G Select 1 & Boise Timbers 12G Nationals.

Both teams advanced to their finals after their 3rd game. Dash City 12 North beat Mustang Soccer 12G Pre-ECNL & Dash City 11 North beat Arsenal Colorado 11G Academy in the semi-final. 

Dash City 12 North fell in the final to the Las Vegas Heat 12G Pre-ECNL team, while the Dash City 11 North came out on top beating La Roca 11G C Santos.

“We are incredibly proud of the 2011 and 2012 North City teams’ efforts last weekend, competing outside the state of Texas for the first ever time. Both teams have worked extremely hard in training over the last several weeks and to come home from Nevada with 7 wins from 8 games is a great return." said Mike Openshaw, Dash City North Director.  "I would like to thank the parents for being on board to make this trip happen. The players gained some valuable experience playing against great competition from California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Utah and Washington, thus creating some fantastic memories. I look forward to seeing the players continue to grow within our City Program." 

"Both teams represented themselves, the club and Houston extremely well this weekend," said Stuart Taylor, Dash GA2 Head Coach.  "The 2011's played against #1 team in Washington, the #2 teams in Colorado & Idaho and the #6 team in Utah and came out on top only conceding one goal all weekend. This group has a bright future and I am excited to be a part of it."   

To arrange an evaluation with the Dash City North program, please email mopenshaw@dynamodashyouth.com

The club hosted their annual Houston Premier Cup at three first class soccer complexes in The Woodlands, TX on January 21-22 and 28-29, 2023. The event included 250 high level U9-U15 boys and girls teams that traveled in from Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin and the states of Oklahoma, Michigan and Louisiana were represented on consecutive weekends. Unfortunately, the girls event was interrupted by in-climate weather conditions and finished early on the Sunday.

3,000+ players had the opportunity to take part in elite competition at first-class facilities in front of large audiences. Boys and girls from U9-U15 age groups were on site competing in 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11 formats. Teams stayed in The Woodlands Township, enjoying full access to the incredible amenities provided by the local community. 

"On behalf of the club, I would like to recognize and thank all the teams, coaching staff, referees, volunteers that helped to make both weekends a tremendous success," said Stuart Taylor, Director of Communications & Events. "Staging two first-class events on consecutive weekends for our teams to participate in meaningful games before the league season starts is very important. The feedback we have received has been extremely positive even after heavy rain on the Sunday. Based on commitments from 2023 attendees, we expect registration to fill up quickly for the 2024 events. Be ready to register your team once we open registration September 1, 2023”

"We are very privileged to have some of the best youth soccer facilities in the country right here in The Woodlands to host national level events where people come from great distances," said Simon Boddison, Director of Soccer Operations. "We are proud to provide all participants with world-class turf facilities along with quality host hotels located in close proximity to the fields and the vibrant amenities of The Woodlands."

The club will be hosting two further tournaments within the Spring season starting with the Turf Cup 2023, April 8 (registration deadline March 28) brought to you by PNC and South Texas Spring Showdown, May 6-7 (registration deadline April 25) brought to you by AutoNation. 

The club hosted Lonestar Soccer Club, FC Dallas along with Katie Cole, Talent ID Manager, US Soccer Federation at Gosling Sports Park, The Woodlands, TX over the weekend with the 2009 age group in action.  A high level of soccer against top national level clubs provided a very positive start to the spring season. The following results were earned:

Houston Dash Academy 09 vs. FC Dallas: 1-1 Tie
Houston Dash Academy 09 vs. Lonestar SC: 2-1 Win

"We were very excited to host a couple of highly competitive games within the tournament against top competition scouted by the US Soccer Federation," said Steven Grave, Dash Academy Staff Coach. "I would like to thank the visiting teams and Coach Katie Cole for being part of this unique event which allowed our players to gain further exposure to the elite level offered in the country."

The club continues to be recognized as Houston's #1 club for developing female elite players to be selected for their respective national team events, including games, camps & virtual meetings. The club has developed 42 players that have been selected for their respective national teams since 2006. Congratulations to the latest two players that were selected in January for the following events from the Houston Dash Academy 2007 age group: 

• Jasmine Diaz, El Salvador U20 Women's National Team Camp (January 14-19).  
• Sophia Saludares, Philippines U17 Women's National Camp (January 20-22).  

The club is proud of these two players and cannot wait to see how Jasmine and Sophia will continue to advance in their development.  Dash Academy is excited to cheer them on through this next journey and see all that they will accomplish.

"It's extremely rewarding to see Jasmine and Sophia being selected and recognized for their hard work," said Dave Dengerink, Academy Director. "We continue to provide a very competitive training and game day environment along with first-class facilities for our elite players to excel, be challenged, and potentially get selected for their respective national team events." 

Jasmine and Sophia are excited about this opportunity and thankful to the club for helping them get there. 

"I am extremely thankful for the opportunity to be part of the El Salvador Women's National U17 team but even more grateful to try out with the U20 group," said Jasmine Diaz, Dash Academy 2007. "It has truly been a challenging week here and I have trained with girls from all over the US and Canada. I am so grateful for the support of my parents and coaches because I couldn’t have done it without them. Thanks also to my club and the coaching staff for everything they have provided and for always believing in me."  

"I am grateful to have been given the chance to try out for the U17 Philippines Women’s National Team in California.  In just 3 days, I was introduced to a new formation, and a highly respected coaching staff, and truly enjoyed playing in a competitive environment against and with such talented players.  It was an exceptional experience," said Sophia Saludares, Dash Academy 2007.  "The Houston Dynamo | Dash coaching staff has been essential in preparation for the tryouts and my development throughout the past few years. Thank you!  Salamat! Gracias!”   

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