The Houston Dynamo Academy hosted a college signing ceremony this evening at BBVA Compass Stadium for seven products that will continue their soccer career at the collegiate level this fall.
Jalen Anderson (UNC Wilmington), Cristian Coelho (North Carolina), Daniel Coronado (Incarnate Word), Mujeeb Murana (St. Louis), Faheem Patel (Houston Baptist), Jaden Servania (Wake Forest) and Beto Soto (Marquette) will continue their education and soccer careers at Division 1 programs this fall.
“On behalf of the Houston Dynamo, we would like to congratulate these players and fine young men on taking this next step in their playing and academic careers,” said Dynamo Senior Vice President and General Manager Matt Jordan. “Our players are being recruited by the top programs in the country, which speaks to the positive direction our Academy and club are moving in.”
Since 2010, the Houston Dynamo Academy has produced 89 collegiate or professional players. Dynamo First Team goalkeeper Tyler Deric, defender Erik McCue and midfielder Memo Rodriguez are products of the Academy and have combined for more than 110 league appearances.
“It’s really special for the club to see these young men go on into the next step of their careers,” Dynamo Academy Director Paul Holocher said. “This is the goal of the Academy – to prepare these young men to get to the next level. There are different paths to get to there and they have a club here that will support them on-and-off the field.”
The seven Dynamo Academy products are currently in the pre-professional phase, which is the third and final phase prior to transitioning to the professional ranks. In addition to their collegiate commitments, players are eligible to play for Brazos Valley Cavalry FC, the Dynamo hybrid PDL affiliate. This portion of the development phase is managed by Dynamo U-19 head coach Kenny Bundy, who will expand his role and serve as the head coach of Brazos Valley Cavalry FC this summer.
“The next step in their career is vitally important. The stress, the hard work all pays off when they know where they are going to take that step,” Bundy said. “It is emotional for me because they are as much a part of my family as anyone else. It is really exciting to see the joy that they have and know that they are going to grow their soccer family as they take the next step.”
