Fennec Fridays: Teenager set to join the Dynamo, Dash continue changes to the roster, growing orange

Andres Naranjo
Feb 16, 2018
7 min read

Fennec Fridays is a weekly segment that rounds up all the news items involving the Dynamo, Dash, or Toros that took place over the week. This piece is an exception and will cover the last two weeks.

February 5

Texas A&M announce preseason friendly against the Houston Dash

In preparation for the upcoming NCAA season, the Texas A&M Aggies unveiled their 2018 Spring Soccer Schedule that features teams from the college and professional ranks, including the Houston Dash. Winning the SEC title and earning a 18-2-2 record for the Aggies last season, this friendly will be a good test for head coach Vera Pauw and the new Dash.

The match will take place on Friday, March 2 at 7:30 PM CT at Ellis Field in College Station, and will be free to the public.

Official Release: Link

February 6

Vicente Sanchez celebrating his goal against the San Jose Earthquakes on August 12, 2017.

Credit to Houston Dynamo Media

Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera confirms that forward Vicente Sanchez has retired from professional soccer

After the team's morning training session, Houston Dynamo head coach Wilmer Cabrera addressed the media and later confirmed that Vicente Sanchez has officially retired from professional soccer. After being asked, Cabrera mentioned in Spanish that: “Vicente has retired... that is what he told us. Vicente played and was thinking about retirement, so we were very happy to have a year with Vicente that he has delivered, but his cycle as a player with us has come to a close and we are very thankful for having him and for what he did last season.”

Video provided by Victor Araiza (start at 4:50 mark)

At 37 years of age, Vicente Sanchez made 24 appearances with the Dynamo in MLS regular season and postseason competition, and scored two goals and recorded five assists in his only year with the club.

Caleb Rubio

Credit to La Prensa

17-year-old midfielder Caleb Rubio reportedly signed by the Houston Dynamo

Honduran newspaper La Prensa revealed that the club has completed the signing of promising Honduran teenager Caleb Rubio.

Per the article in Spanish: Rubio trained for three years at Fundacion Marcet, a soccer school in Barcelona, Spain, and has impressed the Dynamo after traveling to Houston to complete a trial. The teenager will join the club sometime in June after he turns 18 years of age, and will join the U19 Dynamo Academy team.

Article by La Prensa: Link

Poliana in action during a preseason scrimmage against Baylor.

Credit to Houston Dash Media

Houston Dash acquire a Second Round pick in the 2019 NWSL College Draft from Orlando Pride in exchange for the rights of defender Poliana

The Brazilian played in 37 matches with the Dash for two seasons and recorded five goals and two assists in the process. With this move, an international roster spot is no longer occupied.

Official Release: Link

Houston Dynamo announce jersey number updates

The club announced via social media that three players had their numbers updated: forward Mauro Manotas was assigned ‘#9’ after the transfer of Erick Torres, midfielder Arturo Alvarez received ‘#12’, and forward Romell Quioto requested and was given ‘#31’ since the number has taken a significant role during his career.

February 7

Joe Willis in action.

Credit to MLS Digital

Houston Dynamo re-sign goalkeeper Joe Willis

Despite the current shortage of experienced presence between the sticks, the Dynamo managed to re-sign goalkeeper Joe Willis in time for the upcoming string of preseason matches against MLS opposition.

Willis appeared in 40 MLS regular season and playoff matches with the club since 2015. With his addition, the race for the starting goalkeeping spot just got interesting.

Official Release: Link

U.S. Soccer announce U.S. Women’s National Team friendly against Mexico at BBVA Compass Stadium

The Stars and Stripes are set to visit Houston once again to take on Mexico in preparation for the 2018 CONCACAF Women’s Championship later this year to decide which nations will be heading to the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.

Along with some of the world’s best, there is a good chance we may see Houston Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell and forward Christen Press representing the United States. While we may also see Houston Dash goalkeeper Bianca Henninger representing Mexico.

The match is set to take place on Sunday, April 8 at BBVA Compass Stadium at 12:30 PM CT, and it will be televised on FOX (that’s right).

Official Release: Link

Laredo Heat directors alongside Dynamo Academy Director James Clarkson (middle).

Credit to the Laredo Morning Times

Laredo Heat announce partnership with the Houston Dynamo

The Laredo Heat Soccer Academy and the Dynamo Academy reached an agreement to assist the development of coaching in the Laredo area, use as a talent resource for youth players, technical cooperation between youth teams, and the establishment of the No Pay to Play system.

With the hybrid affiliation of the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros in Edinburg, Texas, this would extend the Houston Dynamo’s presence along the South Texas border.

The strategic partnership was announced by Laredo Heat Soccer Academy President Sashi Vaswani alongside Dynamo Academy Director James Clarkson.

The partnership was in effect since the announcement was made, and local tryouts are set to take place on Wednesday, April 7.

Official Release: Link

February 8

Bruna Benites in action.

Credit to Houston Dash Media

Houston Dash waive defender Bruna Benites

Benites played in 14 matches with the club right before being loaned this offseason to Campeonato Brasileiro de Futebol Feminino side Iranduba in Brazil. With this move, another international roster spot is no longer occupied in the span of two days.

Official Release: Link

February 12

Bobby Boswell and Jr. after the 3-1 win over DC United in Leg 1 of the Eastern Conference Championship. (2012)

Credit to Getty Images

Former Houston Dynamo defender Bobby Boswell announces his retirement from professional soccer

Via Twitter, the former Dynamo center back announced his retirement after thirteen years in Major League Soccer with three different clubs.

Initially an undrafted free agent before becoming a professional, Bobby Boswell played for six seasons with the Houston Dynamo: recorded 177 caps in MLS regular season play, 20 caps in postseason play, second in the club's all-time minutes tally with 20,637 minutes of playing time, and taking an important role in the Dynamo's back-to-back Conference Championship seasons in 2011 and 2012.

Bobby also mentioned that he has moved back to Houston with his family. Welcome back!

February 13

Credit to Houston Dash Media

Houston Dash sign forward Tiffany Weimer

The Dash announced the acquisition of Tiffany Weimer after being selected by the Washington Spirit during the NWSL Dispersal Draft back in January. In exchange, Houston send their natural fourth round pick in the 2019 NWSL College Draft to Washington.

At 34 years of age, Weimer made 17 appearances last season with the Boston Breakers and recorded one assist in the process.

Official Release: Link

February 14

U.S. Soccer name Houston Dash goalkeeper Janine Campbell and forward Christen Press to U.S. Women's National Team February Camp

U.S. Women's National Team head coach Jill Ellis announced the names of the 26 players listed to attend a preliminary February Camp prior to the 2018 SheBelieves Cup.

Houston Dash goalkeeper Janine Campbell and forward Christen Press were among those names and are aiming to break into the Stars and Stripes in time for the tournament. Press is looking to extend her 97 caps and 44 goals for the National Team while Campbell is looking to cement her spot in the squad after making her third cap last October.

The 2018 SheBelieves Cup starts on March 1, with USA taking on Germany at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN 2.

Official Release: Link

February 15

Tyler Deric in action.

Credit to Houston Dynamo Media

Houston Dynamo reportedly re-sign goalkeeper Tyler Deric despite league suspension

Washington Post soccer writer Steven Goff reported that the Dynamo re-signed goalkeeper Tyler Deric to a new contract while he is currently suspended from MLS action due to a alleged misdemeanor assault charge.

It was also reported that Deric would be earning "less than half of what he earned last year." He made $185,000 last year per a MLS Players Association report.

The goalkeeper is currently waiting for his upcoming court appearance on February 22. And as reported by Houston Chronicle beat writer Corey Roepken, a date for the trial could take longer than expected since the court house flooded Hurricane Harvey during August of last year.

While Deric is suspended by the league, he is not allowed to participate in any team-related activities and will not occupy a spot on the team roster.

Article by Washington Post: Link

Article by Houston Chronicle: Link

National Women's Soccer League announce player allocations for upcoming season: goalkeeper Janine Campbell, forward Christen Press, and forward Nichelle Prince to the Houston Dash

NWSL announced that goalkeeper Janine Campbell, forward Christen Press, and forward Nichelle Prince were allocated to the Houston Dash for the upcoming 2018 Season.

Each offseason, the league evaluates and changes allocations prior to the start of the regular season. Players under the league's allocation process are paid by their respective national federation and do not count against the league's salary cap.

All players are set to return to Houston sometime in March prior to the start of the regular season.

Official Release: Link

Canada Soccer name Houston Dash forwards Lindsay Agnew and Nichelle Prince to Canada Women's National Team roster for 2018 Algarve Cup

The Canadian Soccer Federation announced that Houston Dash forwards Lindsay Agnew and Nichelle Prince were among the names listed to participate in the annual Portuguese tournament featuring 12 nations across the globe.

Lindsay Agnew was recently acquired from the Washington Spirit, and she is looking to extend her seven caps with the Senior National Team.

Nichelle Prince is aiming to go past her six goals in 32 caps with the Canadians.

The 2018 Algarve Cup is set to start on February 28, with Canada listed on Group B and about to take on Sweden in the first round of the group stage.

Official Release: Link