Texas High School Soccer: Teams to Watch – 5A Region 4

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Texas' 5A Region 4 is one of the under appreciated regions in Texas high school sports, however I think we're in for some big time numbers during this upcoming season. With teams like Sharyland netting 100 goals in 27 matches and only improving, this is sure to be one of the most competitive and exciting regions in soccer this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">McAllen High School</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>District Ranking: 1st</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>State Ranking: </strong></em><strong><em>60th</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>National Ranking: 255th</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>22/23 Record: </strong></em><strong><em>17-5-4 (0.73 Win %)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><b><i>Predicted 23/24 Record: </i></b><strong><em>19-4-3</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With senior Vincente Alvarez graduating, McAllen will be without a solid 31-goal effort. However, this a team that was able to score 74 goals last year and I believe that senior Gabriel Rodriguez is ready to step up and lead the way. Even without Rodriguez, McAllen is more than capable of producing similar numbers to the 22/23 season and I expect them to step up the plate moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McAllen did have some trouble in the back, allowing 34 goals against during their 26 games. With their most offensive player graduated, I fear that if they don't catch fire quickly they may find themselves against some overwhelming odds. Hopefully during their offseason they've addressed their defensive problems and can move forward in a positive directions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Player to Watch:</em></strong> Gabriel Rodriguez</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Gabriel Rodriguez","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"103","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"McAllen High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"On paper it may not look like senior Gabriel Rodriguez is overly impressive. However, the speedy-forward is on par to have an outstanding season. He was able to net six goals and three assists during the 16 games he appeared in during the 2022/23 season. Given a proper offseason as a starter and the growth that comes with experience, I'm sure that Rodriguez will push his goals into double digits and will provide his team with a much needed attacking push.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64e1131b90410"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mission Sharyland</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>District Ranking:</em></strong> <strong><em>2nd</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>State Ranking: </strong></em><strong><em>27th</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>National Ranking: 127th</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>22/23 Record: </strong></em><strong><em>19-6-2 (0.74 Win %)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><b><i>Predicted 23/24 Record: </i></b><strong><em>23-2-3</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I am extremely excited for this 2023/24 Mission Sharyland squad. I believe that they have all the intangibles to make a deep run into the post season if they can maintain their outstanding goal differential. During the 2022/23 season, Sharyland was able to net a overwhelming 100 goals for, while only conceding 25 goals against. This tally places them as one of the best in the state when it comes to their ability to produce on the attack while also keeping their back line together. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sharyland was able to force themselves into the State Semi Finals but ultimately fell. I think their downfall was their ability to compete on the road. They maintained a 14-2 record at home and neutral grounds but struggled at away venues. If they assure their spot as a number one seed this won't matter but if they're not able to do that then they need to absolutely improve on the road.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Player to Watch:</em></strong> Iker Urueta</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Iker Urueta","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"103","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Mission Sharyland High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Iker Urueta is a talented forward who is hoping to become the game-changer during Sharyland's 23/24 season. The junior is looking as the focal point in the Sharyland attack. Luckily for Urueta, he's included in an amazing Sharyland that totaled 100 goals during their previous campaign.rnrnI fully believe that Urueta going forward is going to become a mainstay in the Sharyland squad. I think he'll absolutely reach double-digit goals during the 23/24 season and may even do the same in the assist bracket.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64e1131b904d4"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Brownsville Porter</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>District Ranking: 1st</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>State Ranking: 39th</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>National Ranking: 168th</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>22/23 Record: </strong></em><strong><em>23-3-2 (0.86 Win %)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><b><i>Predicted 23/24 Record: 20-2-8</i></b></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 39th ranked team in the state, Brownsville Porter, lost the Mission Sharyland last season in the playoffs during the 2022/23 season. That being said, I more than believe that they'll be able to bounce back and will surely be looking for revenge this coming season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Having scored 81 goals for and only allowing 20 goals against, Porter had a great season tactically. I am a little hesitant about their attack this season and can only hope that they'll come close to their previous numbers. I do however, believe that Porter will have a better season in the back this coming season than in their previous one. They've got some truly talented athletes looking to fill gaps at the centerback and outside back positions. I believe that their solid defending will only help boost their offense to tally even more goals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'd look for Porter to have a solid campaign that could turn into a fantastic one as the season progresses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->