Caro’s brace pushes Dynamo to top IDEA Toros in MLS Next U19 duel

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Saturday, November 17, we caught the U19 duel between the [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] and the IDEA Toros in the MLS Next League, held at the Houston Sports Park.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2024/11/mls-next-u19-houston-dynamo-vs-idea-toros-photos/">[program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] U19 vs. IDEA Toros U19 - Photos</a></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A great performance by forward [player_tooltip player_id='90004' first='Javier' last='Caro'] paved the way for the Dynamo's victory as he scored twice in the second half by picking up rebounds inside the penalty box. In the second half, Caro was involved in the third goal of the hosts, scored by forward Jahmani Bell. The Toros got a late goal with forward Francisco Reyes, but couldn't avoid the 3-1 defeat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The victory made the Dynamo get to ten points in the MLS Next Flex standings, with three wins, four losses and one tie. The Toros continue with three points and have now one win and three losses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["90004"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67394471b9d01"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The attacking midfielder had a great match, making a difference for the Dynamo with two goals and an assist. Caro played right behind the team's striker and engaged in good combination plays through the middle, finding good quick passes to connect with teammates in dangerous spots. His game was very simple and effective, displaying a high soccer IQ and great quality on the ball. Caro showed great presence and positioning inside the penalty box, picking up rebounds to score twice, and played well with his back to the goal, assisting Bell. He found the back of the net a third time during the second half with a header, but the goal that would have given him a hat-trick was called off due to an offside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":272702,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/11/IMG_2697.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-272702" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] U19 vs. IDEA Toros U19</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["16579"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67394471b9d86"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Betancourt played a little higher up in the field than he's used to, in somewhat of a box-to-box role, and did a very good job there. He used his physicality to win duels in the center of the field and helped the Dynamo control the flow of the game. The midfielder was excellent at finding pockets of space to operate between the lines and connect quick passes from there, finding his teammates in good spots and making this difficult for the Toros' backline. Betancourt also had a strong presence inside the penalty box and had two good opportunities to score - in the first half, he made a turn on a defender and saw his shot stopped by the goalkeeper and, in the second, his header was a little too high.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":272700,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/11/IMG_2693.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-272700" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] U19 vs. IDEA Toros U19</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["286927"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67394471b9e52"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Dynamo's right-sided center back had a flawless performance, giving his team a lot of defensive stability. With the Toros attacking mostly on the counter for most of the match, Puna's mobility was of great help, as he consistently managed to track their forwards and stop plays. The defender was also very successful in 1v1 duels, winning the vast majority of them without any hiccups. Puna was also heavily involved in the Dynamo's buildup and every time he had the ball, he showed patience in waiting for the right opportunity to appear and connecting good passes out of the back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":272692,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/11/IMG_2671.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-272692" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] U19 vs. IDEA Toros U19</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- 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":"Jahmani Bell","_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":"5'5u0022","_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67394471b9efc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Playing with great freedom up top, Bell was a dangerous offensive piece for the Dynamo. At times, he was the team's most advanced player, using his pace to make runs in behind the Toros' backline. Bell dropped back a lot to get on the ball and used his dribbling to disorganize the opposing defense, also getting into wide positions to engage in 1v1 duels. He had a few good chances to score and found the back of the net after a nice combination play with Caro through the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":272693,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/11/IMG_2672.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-272693" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] U19 vs. IDEA Toros U19</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- 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":"Faraji Ramani","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_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":"102","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Wisdom","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67394471b9f9f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The defensive midfielder played a major role in the Dynamo's ability to control the game, playing with tremendous intensity in midfield. Ramani covered a lot of ground in the center of the field and helped shield the team's backline with his impressive work rate and firmness to win duels. The midfielder also supported the team's buildup by dropping next to the center backs and giving the Dynamo a more stable formation to initiate their offensive plays. In the second half, Ramani played a little bit more advanced and displayed an interesting ability to make runs with the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":272705,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/11/IMG_2708.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-272705" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] U19 vs. IDEA Toros U19</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- 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":"Emiliano Elizondo","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"101","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"IDEA Toros College Prep","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"IDEA Toros","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67394471ba039"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Toros' left-sided center back was one of the team's standouts, playing with good solidness in the backline. Elizondo did a very good job of not letting through balls make it past him and was also successful in duels. He was dragged higher up on the field on a few occasions and displayed good mobility to defend is space. A lefty, he showed a great passing range, which helped his team break the Dynamo's pressure on several occasions. Because of that, his teammates looked for him a lot when the Toros had possession.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":272695,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/11/IMG_2677.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-272695" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] U19 vs. IDEA Toros U19</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- 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":"Francisco Reyes","_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":"5'7u0022","_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":"IDEA Toros College Prep","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"IDEA Toros","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67394471ba0d2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Reyes came off the bench after the halftime break and gave new life to the team's offense. His pace and movement off the ball gave the Toros the ability to play him in space and, even at times defended by multiple opponents, he still found ways to create plays. Reyes also worked hard to pressure the Dynamo defenders when they had the ball, making their buildup less smooth. His hard work was rewarded at the end, when he got on the end of a deflected ball, dribbled the goalkeeper and shot into an open net to score the Toros' lone goal in the match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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":"Leonardo Galvan","_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":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"102","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"IDEA Toros College Prep","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"IDEA Toros","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67394471ba168"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Toros' captain had a solid shift in midfield, appearing well on both sides of the ball. Defensively, Galvan played with great determination and energy, working hard to close out the space and win duels. He also did a fine job with the ball, playing one-time passes with great precision and connecting well with the forwards, especially in the first half. Galvan ventured more often in the attacking half during the second half and fired two dangerous shots from outside the penalty box.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":272699,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/11/IMG_2691.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-272699" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] U19 vs. IDEA Toros U19</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->