MLS Next U17: Second half surge propels GFI to beat the Hornets

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Frontier Division resumed play earlier in January and this past Saturday, February 1, we followed the duel between the Global Football Innovation (GFI) Academy and the [program_tooltip program_id='283639' first='Dallas' last='Hornets'] U17 teams at the GFI facility, in Klein. GFI won 4-2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2025/02/mls-next-u17-gfi-vs-dallas-hornets-photos/">Photos: GFI U17 vs. [program_tooltip program_id='283639' first='Dallas' last='Hornets'] U17</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>GFI started the match playing very offensively and got on the scoreboard early in the first half, when midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='275229' first='Rocco' last='Alvarado'] hit a beautiful curled shot right into the upper corner. Before the halftime break, the Hornets leveled the score with forward Chandler Hamilton.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first minutes of the second were decisive in GFI's victory as the team scored twice with forward D'Engalo Mendoza and got into a comfortable position - he just touched the ball into an open net after a great play by midfielder Gabe Rodriguez to score the first and hit an accurate low shot to make the second. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hornets fought back again and Hamilton got his second goal in the match after a corner kick, keeping his team alive. Near the end, forward Santiago Chelala, who had come off the bench, picked up the rebound of his own shot to send the ball into the back of the net and secure GFI's 4-2 victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the victory, GFI got to ten points in the MLS Next Flex Frontier Conference standings, with three wins, three losses and one tie. The Hornets have six points, with two wins and four 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_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":"D'Engalo Mendoza","_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":"5'6u0022","_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='283654' first='Global' last='Football Innovation Academy']","_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-679fad906027b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mendoza basically decided the match with two goals at the start of the second half, but even before that, he had already been very active for GFI up top. The forward is very agile and his smart movement off the ball was a reason for the constant struggle for the Hornets' backline. Despite not being very tall or physical, Mendoza didn't shy away from battles and fought against opposing defenders inside the penalty box. He combined very well with his teammates and also did a good job of dropping back to get on the ball. Mendoza had a good chance to complete a hat-trick in the second half, but ended up sending his header wide.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":278415,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/02/2J4A0203.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-278415" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">GFI U17 vs. [program_tooltip program_id='283639' first='Dallas' last='Hornets'] U17</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":[275229],"_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-679fad90602fe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Featuring on the left side, Alvarado was GFI's most effective offensive player in the first half. Playing as a wide midfielder, he frequently got on the ball around the midfield line and used his ability to drive it forward to get his team into the final third. Alvarado was very strong in 1v1 situations and he kept opposing defenders on their toes because he could either take the ball to the end line to cross it or bring it inside to engage in combination plays. In one of these plays, he scored the first goal of the match with a beautiful curled shot from the corner of the penalty box. He remained active during the second half, but wasn't as dangerous.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":278397,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/02/2J4A0141.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-278397" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">GFI U17 vs. [program_tooltip program_id='283639' first='Dallas' last='Hornets'] U17</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["288943"],"_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-679fad906038a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Martínez played a key role in GFI's victory, helping his team dominate the center of the field. He was very good at winning duels and played with tremendous intensity on both sides of the ball. An El Salvador Youth international, he covered a lot of ground and helped his team spot most of the Hornets' offensive pushes. Martínez also showed calm and quality on the ball, making smart shifts and helping his team circulate it quickly and efficiently. He appeared well in the final third on a few occasions and, in the best of them, sent his shot wide.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":278409,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/02/2J4A0182.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-278409" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">GFI U17 vs. [program_tooltip program_id='283639' first='Dallas' last='Hornets'] U17</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":"Max Rodriguez","_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":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"100","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Alief Taylor","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='283654' first='Global' last='Football Innovation Academy']","_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-679fad9060414"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rodriguez wasn't forced to make many difficult saves during the match, but when GFI needed him, he was there. The goalkeeper couldn't have avoided any of the Hornets' goals and performed some nice stops, besides dealing well with crosses, despite not being very tall. The goalkeeper got on the ball a lot as GFI didn't hesitate to get it back to him when they wanted to keep possession and he displayed impressive ability with his feet, hitting excellent passes to the wider players. Rodriguez also communicated very well with his backline, keeping them alert and in the right defensive shape.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":278424,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/02/2J4A0226.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-278424" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">GFI U17 vs. [program_tooltip program_id='283639' first='Dallas' last='Hornets'] U17</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":"Santiago Chelala","_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":"5'7u0022","_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":"Stratford","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='283654' first='Global' last='Football Innovation Academy']","_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-679fad906049b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Chelala came off the bench during the second half and scored GFI's fourth goal in a key moment, giving them the calm and confidence to close the match. He was very persistent in that play, finishing twice to send the ball into the back of the net. Extremely mobile and intelligent, Chelala took full advantage of the space vacated in the final third as the Hornets pushed forward looking for goals and created some nice plays on the left. He also did well when he dropped back to get on the ball, making smart switches and getting his team out of pressure.</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":"Chase Hamilton","_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":"103","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Anna","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='283639' first='Dallas' last='Hornets']","_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-679fad9060520"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hamilton had a major offensive role for the Hornets and was very effective for them, scoring the team's two goals in the match. A physical and skilled forward, he demanded a lot from GFI's defenders with his constant movement and his ability to drive the ball. Hamilton worked very well off of striker Matt Kent, who kept his position inside the penalty box, always appearing near him to combine. He was also very disciplined and consistently came back to help on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":278407,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/02/2J4A0178.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-278407" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">GFI U17 vs. [program_tooltip program_id='283639' first='Dallas' last='Hornets'] U17</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["284213"],"_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-679fad90605ae"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Playing on the right side of the Hornets' midfield for most of the match, Orozco was very dangerous for the visitors. A very technical player, he displayed tremendous resources in 1v1 situations, using both feet with the same quality and making great split-second decisions. His runs of the right were frequently dangerous and mixed things up well, at times taking the ball to the end line and on other occasions bringing it inside. Orozco moved to the center during the second half and displayed great vision to connect passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":278410,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/02/2J4A0183.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-278410" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">GFI U17 vs. [program_tooltip program_id='283639' first='Dallas' last='Hornets'] U17</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":"Jayden Martinez","_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":"Marcus","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='283639' first='Dallas' last='Hornets']","_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-679fad9060632"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Martinez had a solid shift shielding the Hornets' backline as, except for the first minutes of the second half, the team defended fairly well in the center of the field. The midfield also played an important role in possession, displaying calm and quality on the ball and helping distribute it to the attacking players. Martinez was also very precise with his long free kicks, sending dangerous crosses into GFI's penalty box.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":278419,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/02/2J4A0211.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-278419" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">GFI U17 vs. [program_tooltip program_id='283639' first='Dallas' last='Hornets'] U17</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->