A. The Houston Dynamo Academy is the professional youth academy of the Houston Dynamo of Major League Soccer. The Houston Dynamo Academy Foundation Phase - Catalyst Program is designed to bring an elite level development program and pathway to young players throughout Greater Houston.

“We believe strongly in the potential of the young players throughout Houston.  In coordination with the Dynamo / Dash Youth Soccer Club, our partners in development, we wanted to develop a program that truly put player development and learning as the top priority. The Houston Dynamo - Academy Foundation Phase - Catalyst Program will be a transformational program for both player and coach development.” 

“Houston’s large geographic size and population requires us to provide logistical solutions for families of young, motivated players. In the model of other top professional academies around the world, geographic training and development centers will help greatly reduce travel time and expense for our families.  It would provide a capacity for motivated and talented players to experience an elite and professional player pathway through a team of coaching staff with a proven development curriculum and programming. We couldn’t be more excited for the program.” Paul Holocher, Houston Dynamo, Academy Director.

“The development of the Catalyst Program is fundamental to our mission at the Houston Dynamo / Dash Youth Soccer Club. We believe in creating a true pathway from the grassroots to the professional game. This program will provide players from all over Houston an unparalleled level of opportunities! The Catalyst Program clearly demonstrates the level of collaboration between our Development Academy programs for the betterment of the game in Houston.  Last week both academies had two players, Cesar Cordova (Humble, TX) and Hans Leza (Houston, TX) represent our country and city with the U-15 United States Youth National Team.  This program will be the first step for the next generation!” Dave Dengerink, Dynamo Dash Youth Academy Director.

"We are extremely proud of the relationship that we’ve built with the Dynamo/Dash Youth club – and are both committed to working together to grow the game in our community.  The Catalyst Program is one of many initiatives we’ve partnered on – and we look forward to collaborating with DDY on many other initiatives in the coming years.” John Walker, Houston Dynamo and Houston Dash – President of Business Operations. 

Q. What are the age-categories of the Houston Dynamo - Academy Foundation Phase - Catalyst Program?

• The Foundation Phase is an important “golden age” of learning and the largest developmental phase in youth soccer. There are three age-categories in the Foundation Phase: U10 (2010), U11 (2009), U12 (2008). 

"The expansion of the Houston Dynamo Academy to north Houston is a terrific development for our club and city. By enhancing the technical relationship between the Houston Dynamo Academy and the Dynamo | Dash Youth we will be able to work and collaborate together on a day to day basis to better identify, develop and promote the most motivated and talented young players. We are thrilled to work with our colleagues at Dynamo | Dash Youth and Total Football Club to continue to grow the game across Houston and we look forward to starting in August." Justin Neese, Houston Dynamo Foundation Director.

Q. Where will the Houston Dynamo - Academy Foundation Phase - Catalyst Program Campuses be located in Houston and when will they start?

In the Fall of 2019, there will be five 'Foundation Phase' locations: 

Northwest Houston: 
Concordia Lutheran High School (700 E. Main, Tomball, 77375)

North: 
Bear Branch Soccer Complex (5205 Research Forest Dr. The Woodlands, Texas, 77381)

Northeast:
Holy Trinity Episcopal School (11810 Lockwood Road, Houston Texas, 77044)
XCEL Soccer Academy (4641 FM 1960 East, Humble, TX 77346)

Central:
Houston Sports Park (12131 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77045)

West:
Dalecrest Fields (9500 Dalecrest Dr, Houston, TX 77080)

Q. How will players be selected for the Houston Dynamo - Academy Foundation Phase - Catalyst Program?

• The joint programs will host several Talent ID days in the month of May and June 2019.  
• Player evaluations and placements will occur with the purpose to identify motivated and talented young players across the ages from U10 - U12 in the North Houston geographic region.
• Please click on the green tab at the bottom of the page. 

Q. What are the team and training fee costs associated with the program?

Each Foundation Phase Campus (North, Northwest, Northeast, West and South) operates under a similar model, also providing need-based scholarship opportunities.

• $2,165 training fee
• $175 uniform

Q.  What league will this program compete in?

• Texas Pre-Academy U12 League (2008 Birth Year)
• The league is an elite player development program and competition that is conducted and administered by USSSA on behalf of the 12 Texas Member Clubs.  This league has been created in order to provide a competitive programming schedule that is reflective of the needs of the players and clubs participating. 
• South Texas Youth Soccer Association (STYSA) - Dynamo | Dash League (U10 & U11, 2009 / 2010 Birth Year)

Q. Who will be staffing the North Programs?

Paul Holocher (Houston Dynamo Academy Director) and Dave Dengerink (Dynamo | Dash Academy Director) will select and oversee the technical staff.

Justin Neese (Foundation Director) will lead the program and the coaching staff will include; Cesar Gutierrez, Carl Fleming, Darron Rush, Alfredo Martinez, Rodolfo Castilla, John Shannon, Nidal Baba & Andy Hall.

 Q.  What are the Key Learning Objectives for the Foundation Phase - Catalyst Program?

• Cultivate a growth mindset and love of learning
• Teach the game in a positive and instructive way
• Teach the players to fall in love with the ball and be skillful
• Introduce and teach the club's game model 
• Implement our Methodology to the coaching staff and players
• Create video and film education and become a student of the game
• Inspire players to dream big and aspire to achieve high goals and expectations

Q.  What are the benefits of the Houston Dynamo Foundation Phase - Catalyst Program?

• Each Foundation campus will help to greatly reduce travel time and expense for families while providing the capacity for motivated young players to experience an elite and professional player pathway of the Houston Dynamo
• The Foundation Program will provide insightful, enthusiastic and systematic development, guided by a proven developmental philosophy and curriculum of the Houston Dynamo Academy
• Special futsal and ball mastery trainings will also be emphasized and utilized throughout the year
• Unique developmental opportunities to train at the Houston Sports Park (HSP), home of the Houston Dynamo first team.   This will include film learn and Pro-Time mentoring with current and former Houston Dynamo professional players.
• A full-time staff and ‘Team of Coaches’ working collaboratively to provide top level training and learning environments
• Players also have the opportunity to attend MLS only events such as the Generation Adidas - GA CUP U12 and other national and international opportunities that are part of the Houston Dynamo Academy Development plan.

Q.  How often will players train at the Foundation Phase Campus?

• Each Foundation Phase campus (Northwest, North, Northeast, South, West) will operate on similar developmental calendars and will typically train 3-4 days per week with weekend matches throughout the year

Q.  How much interaction will there be between the Foundation Phase Campuses?

• On a monthly basis, in addition to normal geographic campus training, special ‘combined sessions’ and ‘friendly matches’ will be held at the South campus - Houston Sports Park (HSP)  
• These specially designed training sessions will bring players together from each Foundation Phase campus to train and develop collectively with our coaching staff
• These sessions will typically take place two (2) times per month
• Other opportunities to train, develop and educate collectively will also take place throughout the year

Questions?

If you have any further questions about this new and exciting program, please contact the following Academy Directors:

Paul Holocher, Houston Dynamo Academy Director at pholocher@houstondynamo.com or call (713) 446 - 0087.   

Justin Neese, Foundation Director, Houston Dynamo Academy at jneese@houstondynamo.com or call (832) 312 - 7494.

Dave Dengerink, Houston Dynamo | Dash Academy Director at ddengerink@dynamodashyouth.com or call (757) 450 - 2862.

The Houston Dynamo | Dash Youth Soccer Club is the only club in Houston providing a full range of programming (boys / girls) with a complete pathway for the beginner through to the collegiate and professional levels.  Dynamo | Dash Youth exclusively offers soccer playing opportunities in the highest competitive youth league in the country - United States Soccer Development Academy.

The Houston Dynamo Academy is a program that seeks to be the benchmark in professional player development by providing the necessary resources, experiences, and structure needed to reach the highest level to motivated and talented 11 to 23 year old players from across the greater Houston area.