Children practice soccer drills with orange balls on a red mini pitch at Wussow Park, guided by coaches during a youth clinic hosted by the Houston Dynamo

08-05-2025 | Futbolito in the City Houston Dynamo Wussow Park

Register now for Futbolito in the City at Wussow Park

Sign-ups are open now and sessions are completely FREE for kids ages 6-14.

In preparation for the second session of Dynamo & Dash Charities’ Futbolito in the City at Wussow Park this fall—presented by Shell Energy and supported by Eleven Sports Media—the North Houston District talked with Valerie Holland, the Executive Director of Dynamo & Dash Charities, to discuss the youth programming and community engagement efforts leading up to World Cup 2026, which will see Houston in the spotlight as the host city.

Futbolito in the City Returns to Wussow Park, Engages Young Soccer Fans Ahead of World Cup ‘26

After a successful 5-week run in the spring that saw 15-20 kids at each session, Futbolito in the City is making a return to Wussow Park this fall. The new program will run from September 2-30, 2025, and will take place on Tuesdays from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

With a max capacity for up to 125 players, Valerie Holland, the Executive Director of Dynamo & Dash Charities, says she is looking forward to even more sign-ups and participation in this second session at Wussow Park. “We are excited to be hosting another session at Wussow Park, especially with the recent upgrades to park facilities,” Holland says.

“We are excited to be hosting another session at Wussow Park, especially with the recent upgrades to park facilities,” Holland says.

Aerial view of a youth soccer clinic at the mini pitch in Wussow Park, with players on the court, spectators around the field, and park pavilions in the background.

Wussow Park Expansion Brings Youth Soccer Complex to Fruition

The ongoing Wussow Park expansion, which includes two new youth soccer fields and new field lighting, will be completed before the launch of the fall session of Futbolito in the City. “If there are enough kids, we’ll use the new grass fields around the mini pitch for this session as well,” Holland mentions. Along with the Wussow Park Mini Pitch, unveiled in 2024 as a joint partnership with the Houston Dynamo, Houston Dash, and U.S. Soccer Foundation, the two new grass fields will form a youth soccer complex that will be an asset to the community and will provide an outlet for the wave of soccer enthusiasm ahead of Houston hosting the World Cup in 2026. Dynamo & Dash Charities is working in tandem with groups like the World Cup Legacy Committee to increase access to soccer across the city, and ultimately get more kids playing. “When the World Cup comes next summer, kids can see athletes playing the sport they love on a global stage, and feel personally connected to the sport,” she says.

What to Expect at Futbolito in the City Sessions

Futbolito in the City, presented by Shell Energy, is a free youth soccer program in local Houston communities and schools, offering five weeks of free programming in both the spring and fall. Sessions are held at local parks and community centers, or mini pitches owned by Dynamo & Dash Charities. The organization has now built 22 mini pitches around the city, including the one located at Wussow Park. The goal of the programming is to provide a safe place for kids to play and learn about soccer and foster a lasting love of the sport. “Once a week, kids participate in 90 minutes of free soccer programming and coaching, focusing on the basics like passing, dribbling, and learning the rules of the game. Our coaches group students by skill level, so that those who are more advanced are challenged,” Holland shares. On the very last week of each program—Sept. 30 for the upcoming session—kids will get to meet and learn from current Dynamo or Dash players, and will also get the opportunity to have autographs signed and take photos.

“All of the players love getting involved and supporting local kids."

“We know that representation matters for these young fans, so the coaches and players who are chosen for each session reflect the demographics of the local community and the session attendees,” Holland says, adding, “All of the players love getting involved and supporting local kids. The players are so genuine and engaged that by the end, the kids think they’re best friends.”

A Houston Dynamo FC tent and table are set up near a red mini soccer pitch at Wussow Park, where children and families gather for a youth soccer clinic.

Fostering Lifetime Soccer Fans

Grassroots opportunities like Futbolito in the City help to pique kids’ interest in soccer, both by offering free coaching and play opportunities and by allowing kids to form connections with professional players on the Dynamo and Dash teams. “When kids become fans at a young age, they carry that passion into adulthood, becoming lifelong fans. The impact of grassroots outreach on young fans helps to build an affinity for life,” Holland explains.

“When kids become fans at a young age, they carry that passion into adulthood, becoming lifelong fans. The impact of grassroots outreach on young fans helps to build an affinity for life,” Holland explains.

She shares that Dynamo & Dash Charities typically find one child per session to provide scholarship support for them to continue to play with a local youth club. “Cost is a barrier to entry, and soccer is often a pay-to-play system. Providing scholarships helps kids to see a future for themselves in the sport,” she says. Dynamo & Dash Charities uses the sport of soccer to support communities in the Houston area. Areas of philanthropic focus for the organization include youth development through soccer, food insecurity, military and veteran support, cancer support and awareness, and energy sustainability.