The Houston Dynamo and Valencia CF will play on May 31 in the fourth edition of the BBVA Compass Dynamo Charities Cup. Valencia will be the second European club that the Dynamo have played and the first from Spain's Liga BBVA.
“We are honored and privileged to be hosting such a prominent international soccer club in Valencia,” Dynamo president Chris Canetti said. “Their participation in this match helps bring major credibility to the tradition we are building in this event. We expect that the local soccer community will come out in strong support of this match, the first of its kind in our new stadium.”
Partial proceeds from the match will benefit Junior Achievement, an organization dedicated to educating students about workforce readiness and financial literacy. In the fall, Dynamo Charities and BBVA Compass will work to create a Business in Sports program with Junior Achievement to help foster and create future entrepreneurs.
In addition, Dynamo Charities and BBVA Compass will hold a food drive on the day of the BBVA Compass Dynamo Charities Cup, with all donations benefiting the local Star of Hope shelter.
The Houston Dynamo and BBVA Compass will hold a food drive prior to Thursday night's match with all food collected benefiting the Houston Food Bank. The first 5,000 fans who bring non-perishable items to the collection bins at BBVA Compass Stadium will receive a Dynamo cinch bag, courtesy of BBVA Compass. Collection bins will be located at all stadium entrances including the West Club and East Center Circle entrances.
Photo Courtesy of Valencia CF
Valencia is one of the most successful clubs in Spain, having won six league titles and seven Copa del Rey trophies. The club, managed by Spaniard Unai Emery, finished third in the Liga BBVA standings and was a semifinalist in the 2011-12 UEFA Europa League. Valencia has finished among the top four in Spain’s first division in four of the last six seasons.
Valencia has played in UEFA Champinos League in four of the past six tournaments and finished as a runner-up in the prestigious tournament in 1999-2000 and 2000-2001. Below is Valencia's roster for Thursday's friendly, which includes Brazilian forward Jonás and captain David Albelda.
| No. | Name | Position |
| 1 | Diego Valdez | Goalkeeper |
| 3 | José Pardo | Defender |
| 5 | Albert Damau | Defender |
| 6 | David Albelda | Midfielder |
| 7 | Jonás | Forward |
| 10 | Carles Gil | Midfielder |
| 11 | Aritz Aduriz | Forward |
| 12 | Antonio Barragán | Defender |
| 13 | Vicente Guaita | Goalkeeper |
| 14 | Pablo Piatti | Forward |
| 15 | Ángel Dealbert | Defender |
| 16 | Portu | Midfielder |
| 17 | Joel Johnson | Defender |
| 18 | Víctor Ruiz | Defender |
| 19 | Pablo | Midfielder |
| 21 | Daniel Parejo | Mifielder |
| 22 | Jérémy Mathieu | Defender |
| 23 | Miguel | Defender |
| 24 | Tino Costa | Midfielder |
WATCH: Dynamo vs. Bolton
The BBVA Compass Dynamo Charities Cup is an annual event bringing prominent international teams to Houston to raise money for charity. It began in 2009 when the Dynamo beat Mexican club Monterrey 2-1. In 2010, the Dynamo welcomed Águila from San Miguel, El Salvador, and rolled to a 4-0 win. The 2011 edition saw the Dynamo fall 2-0 to their first European opponent, English Premier League club Bolton Wanderers.
This year, Dynamo Charities and BBVA Compass will focus its efforts on two initiatives. First, partial proceeds from the BBVA Compass Dynamo Charities Cup will benefit Junior Achievement, an organization dedicated to educating students about workforce readiness and financial literacy. In the fall, Dynamo Charities and BBVA Compass will work to create a Business in Sports program with Junior Achievement to help foster and create future entrepreneurs.
In addition, Dynamo Charities and BBVA Compass will hold a food drive on the day of the BBVA Compass Dynamo Charities Cup, with all donations benefiting the local Star of Hope shelter. This project is in conjunction with the Building a Better Houston campaign that will kick off in the weeks leading up to the May 12 grand opening of BBVA Compass Stadium.
Seats to the BBVA Compass Dynamo Charities Cup are on sale now. You can also secure your seats through partial or full season ticket packages. For more information call the Houston Dynamo ticket office at (713) 276-GOAL.
Thursday's match against Valencia is part of the full season ticket holder package. STHs should use the ticket in their booklet marked Bonus Game 1.
| Place | Team | Points |
| 1 | Real Madrid | 100 |
| 2 | Barcelona | 91 |
| 3 | Valencia | 61 |
| 4 | Málaga | 58 |
| 5 | Atlético Madrid | 56 |
