MLS Next U16: 10-men Dynamo rally to come back against GFI

The MLS Next League is back in action after the winter break and the first matches of 2025 have already been played across the country.   The Frontier Division resumed play on January 18 and this past Saturday, January 25, we followed the duel between the Global Football Innovation (GFI) Academy and the Houston Dynamo U16 teams at the GFI facility, in Klein.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://t.co/XFduyx3GGo">Photos: GFI U16 vs. Houston Dynamo U16</a></li> </ul>   Without star midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='210655' first='Matthew' last='Arana'], the Dynamo had early struggles in the match and allowed the home team to score twice within the first minutes. Forward [player_tooltip player_id='277893' first='Jonathan' last='Torkin'] scored the first one with a powerful left-footed shot and assisted winger Kanishk Baviskar in the second, giving GFI a solid start.   The Dynamo got one back with midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='210657' first='Dylan' last='Reyes'], who hit a beautiful shot from well outside the penalty box, but saw their push hurt by the ejection of midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='288461' first='Lalo' last='Estrada']. Even a man down, the Dynamo still managed to equalize in the first half, with defender Jose Menjivar finding [player_tooltip player_id='280126' first='Sebastiao' last='Nzita'] with a great long pass and the forward flicking the ball over the goalkeeper to find the back of the net.   GFI dominated possession in the second half, but couldn't break the Dynamo's defensive system. The visitors were dangerous on the counter and got close to taking the lead when Nzita hit the crossbar. Not much later, the forward took advantage of a communication mistake by GFI to finish to an open net and help his team complete its incredible comeback.   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Playing with a man down for most of the match, the <a href="https://twitter.com/DynamoAcademy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DynamoAcademy</a> U16 completed a huge comeback to beat <a href="https://twitter.com/GFIAcademy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GFIAcademy</a> 3-2. Photos and Match Report coming up soon at <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepSoccerTX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepSoccerTX</a>. <a href="https://t.co/kfzkZhEeCX">pic.twitter.com/kfzkZhEeCX</a>— Guilherme Torres (@grtorres) <a href="https://twitter.com/grtorres/status/1883257064300126285?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2025</a></blockquote>   With the victory, the Dynamo got to 15 points (1.67 per match) in the MLS Next Flex Frontier standings, now appearing in sixth place with five wins and four losses. GFI are right above them in fifth with 14 points (1.75 per match), earned with four wins, two ties and two losses).   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match</h2>    The forward decided the match with two goals and was capable of keeping the Dynamo's offense dangerous even with the team playing down a man, also hitting the crossbar in the second half. Nzita occupied both GFI center backs with his physical game and fought a lot up top. It was a game of limited chances for the Dynamo and the forward converted the two he had, making a great diagonal run and displaying calm and quality in front of the opposing goalkeeper in the the team's second goal and being rewarded for not giving up in a play that seemed under control for GFI to score the game-winner. Nzita also showed great effort to help the team overcome the personnel deficit on defense, running a lot to press the opposing defenders. He also did a good job of keeping the ball in the final third near the end of the match as the Dynamo tried to preserve their lead.    <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/DynamoAcademy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DynamoAcademy</a> keep pushing as [player_tooltip player_id='280126' first='Sebastiao' last='Nzita'] hits the crossbar. <a href="https://t.co/0UktnIhH0K">pic.twitter.com/0UktnIhH0K</a>— Guilherme Torres (@grtorres) <a href="https://twitter.com/grtorres/status/1883248451347161178?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2025</a></blockquote>    Reyes played a clean game in the center of the field and was instrumental in helping his team keep the ball and advance it despite playing down a man for most of the match. With the Dynamo trailing, he had to play a more advanced role in midfield and he displayed good quality in the final third, passing and dribbling the ball efficiently. Reyes initiated his team's comeback with an amazing shot from outside the penalty box and continued to contribute to the attack after that. He was also solid defensively, covering ground in the center of the field and forcing GFI to play wide.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/01/2J4A0054_5190ec.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-277851" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">GFI U 16 vs. Houston Dynamo U16</figcaption></figure>    Gardner started the match on the right wing and had some good runs out there, even though he couldn't connect a good cross or pass. When Estrada was sent off, he moved to right back and continued to have a strong game there. Gardner was very important defensively for the Dynamo, consistently tracking back to help on defense when he was playing on the wing and using his physicality to win duels when he was helping at outside back. He was also very important in the team's comeback because of his vocal leadership and he kept encouraging his teammates and suggesting adjustments until they found their best shape to push for the comeback.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/01/2J4A0012_8b527e.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-277838" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">GFI U 16 vs. Houston Dynamo U16</figcaption></figure>    Playing as left-sided center back, Menjivar had a solid performance with the Dynamo. His center-back duo with [player_tooltip player_id='211229' first='Dami' last='Samuel'] had somewhat of a rough start, allowing two early goals, but after that, the two settled and helped their team handle GFI's pressure. Menjivar won many duels in the center of the field and cleared several crosses from the penalty box. The defender also did a great job with his passing, appearing well in the team's buildup and connecting a great long pass to find Nzita in a great position to score the Dynamo's second goal.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/01/2J4A0084.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-277861" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">GFI U 16 vs. Houston Dynamo U16</figcaption></figure>    The GFI striker had a great start to the match, scoring a goal and getting an assist early on that helped his team quickly produce a two-goal lead. Torkin was very dangerous inside the penalty box and displayed quality to score his goal, beating a defender with a quick move and firing a powerful shot. He almost scored again in a similar play, but his shot was a few inches wide. In the second half, he moved to the left wing and made some good plays there as well, bringing the ball inside to finish and pass.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/01/2J4A0039.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-277849" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">GFI U 16 vs. Houston Dynamo U16</figcaption></figure>    Cottle was GFI's most creative player in midfield and was perhaps their only player to maintain a strong offensive rhythm during the entire match. He played more to the left in the team's midfield and connected well with winger Santiago Merlet and outside back Pol Verges, creating space for offensive plays. Cottle displayed a complete offensive game, driving the ball very well and, at times, dribbling multiple Dynamo defenders, and also connecting great through passes. He looked for the ball a lot and also sent good crosses into the penalty box near the end of the match.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/01/2J4A0030.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-277845" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">GFI U 16 vs. Houston Dynamo U16</figcaption></figure>    Monroy had a solid shift at right back for GFI, keeping Nzita quiet for most of the time he was playing there. He had an interesting role in possession as, instead of staying wide, he would come inside and help with his passing. Monroy supported the team's buildup on some occasions but also stepped into the attacking half and displayed good quality there, connecting good passes and sending some long crosses into the penalty box.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/01/2J4A0079.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-277858" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">GFI U 16 vs. Houston Dynamo U16</figcaption></figure>

The MLS Next League is back in action after the winter break and the first matches of 2025 have already been played across the country.