Nzita's hat trick helps the Dynamo in 13-goal MLS Next U16 match

The club soccer season continues to progress at full pace and teams from around the country are competing in their respective leagues with a lot 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, November 17, we were at the Houston Sports Park to follow the MLS Next U16 matchup between the Houston Dynamo and the IDEA Toros.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2024/11/mls-next-u16-houston-dynamo-vs-idea-toros-photos/">Houston Dynamo U16 vs. IDEA Toros U16 - Photos</a></li> </ul>   The Dynamo scored in the first play of the match with Kiam Walsh, but the Toros quickly equalized with Hector Chavarri. Two goals from Cristian Cortes and one from [player_tooltip player_id='210655' first='Matthew' last='Arana'] gave the hosts a 4-1 lead going into the halftime break. Cortes and Arana added each another goal in the second half, as well as Pierce Le Denmat. Forward [player_tooltip player_id='280126' first='Sebastiao' last='Nzita'] came off the bench and delivered a second-half hat trick. Lukka Tovar and Luis Canada scored for the Toros, determining the final score of 10-3.   With the result, the Dynamo have now 12 points and are eighth in the MLS Next Flex Frontier Conference, with four wins and four losses. The Toros rank ninth with five points (one win, three losses and two ties).   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match</h2>    With three goals and two assists, Cortes was a constant threat to the Toros' backline. He spent most of the match in wide positions and used his pace and ball control to make strong diagonal runs, having success in basically each of them. Cortes was not only very difficult to dispossess, but also very efficient, creating space with his runs and making the right decisions in the final third. He showed a great presence inside the penalty box to get on the end of a cross and score his first goal and to pick up a rebound and score the third, but his most beautiful goal was arguably the second, with a nice shot from outside the box into the upper corner.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/11/IMG_2852.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-272761" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Houston Dynamo U16 vs. IDEA Toros U16</figcaption></figure>    The forward came off the bench during the second half and went for it, scoring three goals in a short period on the field. A very athletic player, Nzita was used more centrally this time, instead of occupying wide positions, and displayed great quality to play there. His runs with the ball were more lethal as he was closer to the goal and he also showed some ability to play quick passes with his back to the goal. Nzita scored his first goal in a nice run through the middle that ended with a low shot, the second in an inch-perfect free-kick attempt and the third by getting on the end of a cross in a quick transition play near the end.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/11/IMG_2910.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-272775" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Houston Dynamo U16 vs. IDEA Toros U16</figcaption></figure>    The Dynamo's captain was a big part of the team's offense, facilitating their playmaking and appearing well to finish chances. Playing more to the left, Arana combined well with his teammates and ended the match with two goals and two assists. He was very successful in 1v1 situations and created many chances with his dribbling skills out wide, but at times dropped deeper to initiate plays, having started the one that resulted in the team's second goal with a beautiful long pass. Arana scored twice by bringing the ball inside from the left and hitting beautiful cross shots.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/11/IMG_2871.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-272765" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Houston Dynamo U16 vs. IDEA Toros U16</figcaption></figure>    With the Dynamo playing with three in the back, Perez had a lot of freedom to support the team's offense as a right wingback and he made the most of it, bombing forward every time he had a chance. He was very quick to get to the end line and did a great job of exploring the space and timing his runs, being a constant passing option to his teammates. Perez registered two assists, displaying great vision and precision to find teammates inside the penalty box with low crosses. He also didn't have any issues defensively, handling most attempts made by the Toros on his side.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/11/IMG_2821.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-272751" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Houston Dynamo U16 vs. IDEA Toros U16</figcaption></figure>    Playing on the right side of the Dynamo's back three, Samuel had a solid match as none of the Toros' three goals initiated there. He did a good job of shutting down the Toros' plays on his side, using his athleticism and positioning to win duels. The center back was also very strong in the air, intercepting many attempts of long passe behind his back. With the Dynamo heavily dominating possession, the center back was asked to step forward and support the team's buildup, which he did efficiently, occupying the space in the attacking half and connecting good passes.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/11/IMG_2793.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-272742" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Houston Dynamo U16 vs. IDEA Toros U16</figcaption></figure>    The Toros' striker, Chavarri had a difficult task in hand, at times battling up to three Dynamo defenders, but he still managed to create problems for them. The forward fought for every long ball sent his way and displayed good quality when he had control of it, beating defenders off the dribble and advancing to the penalty box. He worked relentlessly off the ball, putting pressure on opposing defenders and managed to dispossess the Dynamo goalkeeper and score the team's first goal. He was moved to right wingback during the second half and continued to make an impact, assisting the team's two other goals with smart passes behind the backline, and playing with tremendous intensity.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/11/IMG_2816.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-272749" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Houston Dynamo U16 vs. IDEA Toros U16</figcaption></figure>    Abrego worked hard to stop plays in the center of the field and did a solid job with it, forcing the Dynamo to score most of their goals in plays through the wings. He displayed good reading of the game to intercept passes and was efficient in duels, playing hard and firmly. Abrego also did a fine job in possession and was one of the few players in his team to not rush plays and force long balls, instead keeping the ball and trying to connect short passes. He was moved to the backline in the second half, playing on the right in the Toros' back three, and continued to work hard there.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/11/IMG_2905.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-272772" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Houston Dynamo U16 vs. IDEA Toros 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 with a lot of traveling and playing.