MLS Next U18: 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 U18 teams met in for MLS Next action.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2024/10/mls-next-u18-houston-dynamo-vs-austin-fc-photos/">MLS Next U18: Houston Dynamo vs. Austin FC - Photos</a></li> </ul>   The Dynamo got on the scoreboard early, when defender [player_tooltip player_id='90045' first='Micah' last='Harris'] picked up a rebound in the penalty box after a corner kick and sent the ball across the goal line. In the second half, Houston confirmed their 2-0 victory when forward Jahmani Bell drew and converted a penalty kick.   <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/1845162052756852984 </div></figure>   The second victory in six matches kept the Dynamo in tenth place in the Frontier Division of the MLS Next Flex standings with seven points (two wins, one tie, three losses). Austin have six points (two wins, two losses) after two matches and appear in sixth place in points per match.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match</h2>    The center back paved the way for the Dynamo victory by showing a good presence in the attacking penalty box and scoring an early goal, but he was also very solid defensively. Harris and fellow center back [player_tooltip player_id='148003' first='Daniel' last='Barrett'] didn't allow Austin any space inside or around the penalty box, making several clearances in the air and blocking passing lanes and shots. He also held his own when he had to defend outside the penalty box, displaying good mobility and instincts. Harris had to clear a mistake from one of his teammates in the second half and made a professional foul, stopping what could have been a great chance for Austin, getting a yellow card for that.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/IMG_9460.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-269807" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Houston Dynamo U18 vs. Austin FC U18</figcaption></figure>    An El Salvador youth international, Inojosa was very solid for the Dynamo during the entire match. He played an interesting tactical role for the team, defending as a left back, but coming inside to appear as a midfielder when they had possession, creating a superiority for the Dynamo in the center of the field. Inojosa stood out on both sides of the ball, defending well out wide and hitting nice passes out of the middle. He was also extremely vocal during the match and displayed great tactical awareness to adjust the positioning of his teammates.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/IMG_9482.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-269812" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Houston Dynamo U18 vs. Austin FC U18</figcaption></figure>    The attacking midfielder had a very active match, getting on the ball a lot and getting involved in many of the team's offensive plays. Gitau's movement off the ball was excellent and consistent, and he got in good spots to make plays. He was very dangerous in combination and 1v1 plays, but also connected good passes and dropped a little bit deeper to help his team move the ball when Austin was in defensive shape.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/IMG_9457.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-269805" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Houston Dynamo U18 vs. Austin FC U18</figcaption></figure>    Bruegmann was moved from his typical attacking midfield role and was deployed on the right, playing an important tactical role for the Dynamo. He was very disciplined and tracked back during the entire match, helping to neutralize the offensive runs of Austin's left back [player_tooltip player_id='56080' first='Kian' last='Concepcion']. In the position, Bruegmann wasn't as involved as he typically is, but he did good things every time he got the ball in the attacking half, making some dangerous diagonal runs and connecting smart, quick passes on the right.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/IMG_9398.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-269785" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Houston Dynamo U18 vs. Austin FC U18</figcaption></figure>    Bell's mobility and quality on the ball were key for the Dynamo offense as he was very involved in the team's offensive plays. The forward had a lot of freedom to roam in the final third and made the most of it, appearing on both sides and also helping create chances through the middle with his dribbling and passing. Bell had some dangerous shots on target and ended up scoring the team's second goal by smartly drawing a penalty kick in a play where he had his back to the goal and coverting it with impressive composure.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/IMG_9474.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-269809" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Houston Dynamo U18 vs. Austin FC U18</figcaption></figure>    Aristizabal wasn't to blame for either of the Dynamo's goals and had a solid match between the posts for Austin. While the match developed mostly in midfield and didn't have a ton of shots on target, the goalkeeper appeared well when his team needed him, especially when handling crosses inside the penalty box. Aristizabal was particularly busy at the start of the match, when he made a couple of big saves and kept his team in the game. He also did a fine job every time he had to use his feet.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/IMG_9392.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-269781" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Houston Dynamo U18 vs. Austin FC U18</figcaption></figure>    The center back had a good defensive performance, helping close the space in the center of the penalty box and winning most of the duels he was involved in. However, with Austin trailing from the start, Wolff's quality on the ball was perhaps even more valuable. The center back was easily the player in his team with the most touches and his ability to pass out of the back helped his team initiate offensive plays against a well-organized Dynamo defense. Wolff displayed impressive calm and vision with his passing and repeatedly found teammates in good spots.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/IMG_9418.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-269792" style="width:870px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Houston Dynamo U18 vs. Austin FC U18</figcaption></figure>    With Austin struggling to create plays in the final third, Avila didn't get a lot of service, but he still managed to create some chances on his own. In the first half, his press was very effective and led to a pair of quick breakaways, one of which he finished well, but saw the Dynamo deflect his shot and it hit the crossbar. Avila was a half-second late and couldn't get on the end of a cross in which he could have easily scored at the start of the second half. He kept working and moving into good spots and had another chance on a header, but sent it a little wide.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/IMG_9431.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-269797" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Houston Dynamo U18 vs. Austin FC U18</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.