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The club hosted its annual 3v3 Turf Cup at Bear Branch Sports Fields in The Woodlands, TX with over 175 teams on-site to celebrate the Easter festive weekend. It was a fun-filled, action-packed day for all the teams that traveled in from across the city of Houston. Activities included over 350+ games along with soccer tennis, live music, an Easter egg hunt, dance competitions and juggling stations. Amongst the fun, we had plenty of presentations and awards handed out throughout the day. 

 "Another great event of soccer in perfect weather conditions during the Easter holiday weekend. We saw a record-breaking attendance of teams and spectators along with some outstanding costumes and an array of festival activities," said Milton Arraez, Tournament Director. 

The club would like to thank Panera Bread and Potbelly for providing food and Memorial Hermann for first-class medical care. Fine Design T-Shirt Company was also on-site, providing a quality product for the members and our guest teams to purchase.

Awards:

The Boys ECNL Program finished off a very long and successful season in the Texas Conference (South) with a league record of W48-L12-T11 and a showcase record of W8-L0-T1. Five (5) out of six (6) teams finished top of the league standings heading into the Spring season.

Team Leading Scorers:

U13 – Bryce Hubbard/Jaden White (4 goals each)
U15 – Axel Vazquez (5 goals)
U16 – Allen Rojas (7 goals)
U17 – Jose Ramos (11 goals)
U19 – Ashton Contreras (13 goals) 

"I would like to congratulate the players and the coaching staff for all their hard work during the last five months.  Our performances in the league and our showcases against the best teams in the country have been extremely positive," said Alex Cardenas, Boys Academy Director. "The players are continually developing through daily training and game day environments resulting in excellent league placements.  We look forward to the spring season with great anticipation in continuing the success."

The Girls Academy Program (U13-U19) recently traveled to the GA Winter Showcase competing in the Champions League division (top 12 clubs in the country) at the SilverLakes Sports Complex in Norco, CA during December 13-19.  Collectively, the group played in eighteen (18) games in front of over 150 college coaches and US national team scouts from all across the country.

Winter Showcase Team of the Week:

GK - Patty Staton (2007), Right Back - Lauren Littleton (2005), Center Back - Bella Rogers (2009), Center Back - Ellen  Persson (2004), Left Back - Jasmine (Lizzie) Stalter (2006), Def CM (6) - Kathryn Lennon (2004), CM (6/8) - Briana Flores (2008), CM (8/10) - Jasmine Diaz (2007), Attacking CM (10) - Mia  Brumlow (2005), Forward - Avia Hughes (2009), Forward - Jessica Molina (2004).

Bench - Haydan Erck (2005), Kiley Polk (2006), Kialie Hudson (2004), Kendall Hemperley (2006), Madison Taylor (2007), Camryn LeTellier (2007).

Top Goal Scorer - Avia Hughes '09 - three (3) goals.

"Playing in the Champions League event this past week for all our GA teams brought a  level of competition that provided meaningful games unmatched by any other event I've seen in youth soccer," said Steven Grave, Girls Academy Staff Coach. "It was an honor to compete and represent the GA as one of the top clubs in the nation." 

"The club has a responsibility to place players on college rosters with scholarship support," said Dave Dengerink, Girls Academy Director. "Attending these national level events and playing in front of hundreds of college coaches from across the country provides the perfect opportunity for our players to showcase their playing abilities and get recruited."

The 2021 fall season completed its tournament series this last weekend with the 17th annual 3v3 Winterblast and the Winter Break Cup presented by Simple Truth.

This year’s tournament featured 400 teams U7-U19 boys and girls teams from all across the region. Matches took place this last Saturday and Sunday, December 11-12, across sites in The Woodlands, Clear Lake, Friendswood and South Belt, TX.  All the teams had a minimum of three games over the course of the weekend, with awards for champions and finalists. Live music with multiple competitions (dance, juggling, best uniform, best team name) were hosted on site.

"Thank you to all the teams, coaches, managers, volunteers, referees and sponsors for all their support of the tournament," said Milton Arraez, 3v3 Tournament Director. "It’s the effort from everyone involved that makes this 3v3 Winterblast soccer event a tremendous annual success."

"We had a record breaking number of teams register this year for the Winter Break Cup. It's a great way for the club and our visiting guests to close out the fall season with a first class event," said Jason DeVore, Winter Break Cup Tournament Director. "By providing multiple levels of competition at both events, we are able to expand further playing opportunities that benefit player development and elevate the experience."

3v3 Winterblast Competition Winners:

Best Uniform: Team Cousin Eddy
Best Team Name: Poinsettia Posse
Juggling Contest: Alex Salinas 2010, 188 juggles
Dance Competition: Sassy Snowflakes

"The club would like to thank the Woodlands Township for providing the necessary resources and guidance to help make the event at Bear Branch a tremendous success" said Simon Boddison, Director of Soccer Operations. "Continuing to host events throughout the year helps us reach two important objectives in providing competitive environments for our players to develop and supporting the local community."

The 2021-22 kicked into gear this last weekend at the 2021 Houston Youth Cup, presented by Mia’s Table.

This year’s tournament featured 275 U11-U19 boys and girls teams from all across the region. Matches took place this last Saturday and Sunday, August 20-21, across eight sites in The Woodlands, Tomball and the Conroe area. The GotSoccer ranked event allowed each team a minimum of three games over the course of the weekend, with awards for champions and finalists.

"Thank you to all the teams, coaches, managers, volunteers, referees and sponsors for all their support of the tournament," said Stuart Taylor, Tournament Director. "It’s the effort from everyone involved that makes this pre-season youth soccer event a tremendous success."

Proceeds from the Houston Youth Cup 2021 will benefit the Dynamo | Dash Youth Scholarship fund to help make the game accessible for all players. You can also donate directly to the fund here.

Special thanks go out to our presenting partner, Mia’s Table, as well as The Woodlands Township and Conroe Parks & Recreational. This pre-season tournament for the area brought an estimated 20,000 spectators to the community, providing a huge economic impact to local hotels and businesses. The club would like to thank On Location (formerly Anthony Travel) for facilitating the hotel accommodations for the visiting teams.  

"The club would like to thank the Woodlands Township and the City of Conroe for providing the necessary resources and guidance to help make this event a tremendous success" said Simon Boddison, Director of Soccer Operations. "Continuing to host events throughout the year helps us reach two important objectives: providing competitive environments for our players to develop and supporting the local community."

We look forward to welcoming our players, coaches, families for the second pre-season event, the Houston Pre-Labor Day Cup in Friendswood and Clear Lake on Saturday & Sunday, August 28-29!

 

 

  

Pictured above: Valentina Lopez, Kingsleigh Baquero, Collins Kendrick, Morgan Dowd, Anni Peterson, Michelle Gao & Marley English.

 

 

Pictured above: DDY The Woodlands Spurs.

 

 

Pictured above: Dynamo 13 South

 

 

"It's always an honor and pleasure to integrate soccer and the Memorial Day recognition of the armed forces.  As a former marine, it's tremendous that the club hosts an event to show support to all the men and women that have or continue to protect and serve the country," said Milton Arraez, Sergeant 2nd Battalion First Marines Super Squad / Tournament Director.  "A huge thank you also goes to all the referees, volunteers, players and teams that were involved in the event."