MLS Next U17: Houston Rangers vs. AC River

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 19, we headed to Paul D. Rushing Park, in Katy, where the Houston Rangers U17 team hosted AC River for an MLS Next duel.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2024/10/mls-next-u17-houston-rangers-vs-ac-river/">MLS Next U17: Houston Rangers vs. AC River - Photos</a></li> </ul>   Playing at home, the Rangers were on the front door the entire time and built a 2-0 lead before the halftime break with a brace by [player_tooltip player_id='90419' first='Anthony' last='Sorto']. In the second half, despite making some changes, the home team continued to dominate and counted another goal by Sorto and one of which of Diego Favaloro and Luis Gamboa to win 5-0.   With the result, the Rangers get to six points (two wins, three losses) in the MLS Next Flex League and appear in fifth place in the Frontier Division. It was AC River's first match in the season as the team ranks ninth with no points accumulated yet (one loss).   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match</h2>    The Rangers' creative playmaker was pivotal in their victory, registering a hat-trick and assisting in the team's two other goals. Sorto started the match as an attacking midfielder and connected very well with his teammates, always moving to get on the ball and displaying great vision to find them with great passes. Sorto scored the team's first goal after a good run through the middle, the second in a long-distance finish and the third from the penalty kick spot. He moved to the left during the second half and continued to be dangerous, beating defenders off the dribble and bringing the ball inside to create chances.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/IMG_0338.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-270429" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Houston Rangers U17 vs. AC River U17</figcaption></figure>    Gamboa's tireless movement was of great value for the Rangers and made of him one of the team's main offensive weapons. He started the match on the left and was very dangerous with his ability to beat opponents off the dribble and in space. Gamboa moved to the center forward role and continued to create problems for AC River, making strong runs off the ball and dribbling in tight spaces. He was assisted by Sorto in the team's fourth goal and showed calm and composure in front of the goal, dribbling the goalkeeper to score.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/IMG_0366.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-270437" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Houston Rangers U17 vs. AC River U17</figcaption></figure>    Macuace played with tremendous intensity in midfield for the Rangers and helped them control that area of the field and dominate the game. He displayed great chemistry with Amaggai Agbu on the defensive side of the game as the two covered a lot of ground and were very successful at winning duels. Macuace also did a good job in possession, taking great care of the ball and distributing it well with his accurate passing. The midfielder supported the team's offense by using his body to shield the ball and drive it upfield with strong runs through the middle.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/IMG_0376.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-270442" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Houston Rangers U17 vs. AC River U17</figcaption></figure>    Favaloro came off the bench after the halftime break and added a new dimension to the Rangers' attack. Playing as a second forward underneath Gamboa, he was very dangerous with his ability to dribble in tight spaces, consistently creating space in the center of the field with his impressive ball control. Favaloro also moved well without the ball and was frequently available to combine with his teammates and make plays. He scored the team's third goal by crashing into the penalty box and getting on the end of a cross sent by Sorto.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/IMG_0360.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-270435" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Houston Rangers U17 vs. AC River U17</figcaption></figure>    Garcia led the Rangers' backline to a clean sheet, operating extremely well with fellow center back Jaime Rubio. Most of AC River's offensive attempts happened in transition plays and he showed great positioning and excellent mobility to shut them down. Garcia was also very strong at winning duels and defended very well outside the penalty box. The center back was also very active in possession, displaying calm and confidence on the ball and hitting some nice long 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_0256.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-270408" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Houston Rangers U17 vs. AC River U17</figcaption></figure>    Wimer was a source of consistency for AC River in a tough match. Playing as a defensive midfielder, he had some success in his defensive actions, cutting passing lanes and winning duels to get stops in the central area of the field. Wimer was very active in the team's buildup, getting the ball front the center backs and trying to find the attacking players with direct, vertical passes. He also did a good job connecting diagonal passes and long balls behind the backline.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/IMG_0299.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-270419" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Houston Rangers U17 vs. AC River U17</figcaption></figure>    The Rangers' lead at the halftime break could have been much larger than two goals if it wasn't for Salas' presence between the posts for AC River. The goalkeeper was under pressure for the vast majority of the first half and performed well, making difficult saves and keeping his team in the game. Salas made two critical stops in one-on-one situations and also handled long-distance shots well. The goalkeeper also did a fine job putting the ball back in play with throws.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/IMG_0249.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-270406" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Houston Rangers U17 vs. AC River U17</figcaption></figure>    Muschalek was AC River's main offensive weapon in the match, and despite being isolated for most of the time, he still managed to create chances out of nowhere. In the first half, playing as a central forward, he did the most he could with the ball he was fed, getting a couple of shots on target in individual plays. Muschalek was dropped back to midfield and got on the ball more often, helping articulate some offensive plays for his team.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/IMG_0324.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-270424" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Houston Rangers U17 vs. AC River U17</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.