MLS Next U16: Houston Dynamo vs. Austin FC

The club soccer season continues to progress at full pace and teams from around the country are competing in their respective leagues in the first of several months of traveling and playing.   We, at Prep Soccer Texas, will follow as many matches and players as possible, paying close attention to everything that happens in the MLS Next, ECNL National and Regional Leagues and Girls Academy League, as well as showcases and tournaments, giving the talented players from the Lone Star State the exposure they deserve.   On Saturday, October 12, we were at the Houston Sports Park, where the Houston Dynamo and the Austin FC U16 teams faced each other in MLS Next action.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2024/10/mls-next-u16-houston-dynamo-vs-austin-fc-photos/">MLS Next U16: Houston Dynamo vs. Austin FC - Photos</a></li> </ul>   The match was decided late in the first half, when Austin FC midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='148230' first='Lucca' last='Talos'] drew and converted a penalty kick to give his team an important 1-0 road win. It was Austin's first victory in four MLS Next Flex matches and the result placed them ninth in the Frontier Conference standings with four points (one win, two losses, one tie). The Dynamo appear in sixth place with nine points (three wins, three losses).   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match</h2>    The goalkeeper played a big role in Austin's clean sheet against the Dynamo, coming up with big saves and sustaining pressure very well. Burchfield helped preserve his team's lead with two big stops at the end of the second half that could have changed the rhythm of the match. In the second half, the Dynamo pushed forward and he responded well, making several interventions to stop their attempts. Burchfield's 6'6" frame helped him get some stops, but he also displayed great reflexes and impressive quickness when he had to leave the goal or deal with low crosses.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/IMG_9516.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-269845" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Houston Dynamo U16 vs. Austin FC U16</figcaption></figure>    Playing in the middle of Austin's back three, Ayala led their defensive efforts, playing with great composure and efficiency. The center back was very good at protecting the penalty box, cutting passing lanes and occupying the space in the center of the field, while also winning duels. Ayala also showed good mobility when he had to cover his teammates on either side of the backline, quickly getting to the ball. He was excellent in possession as well, displaying great confidence on the ball, not rushing plays and taking his time to find good passes out of the back.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/IMG_9536.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-269853" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Houston Dynamo U16 vs. Austin FC U16</figcaption></figure>    A new player with Austin FC this season, Talos gave the team a great rhythm in midfield. Playing a box-to-box role, he was very active on both sides of the ball and helped them build plays with his solid passing. Talos made some nice runs forward on and off the ball and in one of them, he drew the penalty kick that he calmly converted to give his team the road win. He also contributed defensively, covering ground and winning duels in midfield.    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/grtorres/status/1845177094839411025 </div></figure>    Ayala was excellent in his attacking midfielder role, getting involved in most of Austin's offensive plays and helping the team move the ball in the attacking half. His movement off the ball was always very intelligent, and he was very determined in looking for the ball, dropping back to get it from the center backs at times and finding pockets of space in the final third on other occasions. Ayala was also very effective at progressing the ball with his ability to dribble and shield it from defenders and connected good passes around the penalty box. He also showed toughness in continuing on the field after getting involved in some incidents and getting a bloody nose.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/IMG_9588.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-269876" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Houston Dynamo U16 vs. Austin FC U16</figcaption></figure>    De La Cruz was an important piece in Austin's offense and the game-winning penalty kick happened after one of his creative passes. He was deployed as a right winger, but actually operated as more of a central midfielder, coming inside to operate as a playmaker, making combination plays and beating defenders off the dribble with his skilled left foot. De La Cruz used his size well to shield the ball in crowded areas and also to make turns on defenders. He was very disciplined tactically, dropping back to help on defense, and also did a good job with set pieces.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/IMG_9648.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-269894" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Houston Dynamo U16 vs. Austin FC U16</figcaption></figure>    Playing as a central midfielder, Reyes saw the ball a lot and, on most occasions, did a good job with it. The midfielder used his vision to help circulate the ball and at, times, needed just two touches to make it go from one side of the field to the other. As the Dynamo trailed, he played more vertically, looking to find teammates with passes behind the backline and to make switches that would catch Austin's defense out of shape, having some success. He was involved in the play that generated the penalty kick that decided the match for Austin and was a little bit naive and unlucky with how he challenged Talos.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/IMG_9573.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-269868" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Houston Dynamo U16 vs. Austin FC U16</figcaption></figure>    The Dynamo's main playmaker was involved in most of the team's successful offensive plays. Arana had a slow start to the match, appearing as a left winger, but improved when he moved to the right, getting more on the ball and engaging in combination plays. At times, he would get the ball far back in the Dynamo's field and be able to progress it to the attacking half with quick, direct runs. Arana wasn't extremely dangerous inside and around the penalty box, but connected good passes that initiated plays for his team.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/IMG_9625.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-269886" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Houston Dynamo U16 vs. Austin FC U16</figcaption></figure>    Pagani was one of the Dynamo's main weapons as the team looked to find space in the final third. The dynamic winger made some nice diagonal runs on and off the ball and in one of them had arguably the team's best chance to score, stopping in Burchfield. Pagani spent time on both wings and on some occasions was able to beat Austin's defenders, take the ball to the end line and send dangerous crosses into the penalty box.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/IMG_9613.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-269881" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Houston Dynamo U16 vs. Austin FC U16</figcaption></figure>

The club soccer season continues to progress at full pace and teams from around the country are competing in their respective leagues in the first of several months of traveling and playing.