The third annual Dynamo Charities Cup kicks off Wednesday night when the Houston Dynamo host Bolton Wanderers of the Barclays Premier League in England. The friendly match marks the first time the Dynamo have played an opponent from England. The previous two Charities Cups were played against opposition from Mexico and El Salvador.
The Dynamo partnered with Houston City Council Member and District I representative James Rodriguez to ensure that proceeds from Wednesday evening's friendly will benefit East End youth soccer programs. The programs are in danger of being eliminated due to current budget constraints with the City of Houston. With the help of Dynamo Charities, Council Member Rodriguez, and the Dynamo, the Save Our Soccer in the East End campaign will benefit from tonight's match.
This will be the final match of Bolton Wanderers 2011 United States summer tour before the team returns to England to continue preseason preparations for the 2011-2012 season which kicks off on August 13. The Wanderers enter the game with a 1-1 record on their tour, having lost to to FC Tampa Bay and beating Orlando City.
Former Houston Dynamo midfielder and current United States Men's National Team and Bolton Wanderers midfielder Stuart Holden is unavailable for the match due to a previous injury.
Teams will be allowed up to 10 substitutions for the match, and if it is tied after regulation, a shootout will determine the Dynamo Charities Cup winner.