MLS Next U19: Dallas Hornets grind to get road win over GFI

<!-- 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 Dallas Hornets U19 teams at the GFI facility, in Klein. The Hornets took the 2-1 road win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/?p=278507">Photos: GFI U19 vs. Dallas Hornets U19</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playing on the road, the Hornets managed to score the opening goal of the match, still in the first half. After a free kick was sent into GFI's penalty box, midfielder Eddie Uribe picked up the rebound and sent the ball to the back of the net. Trailing, GFI pushed forward and got a penalty kick when winger Anthony Garcia was taken down by the Hornets' Esteban Bastidas inside the penalty box. [player_tooltip player_id='56106' first='Kortay' last='Koc'] stepped up and converted it, leveling the score for the home side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There was a lot of back and forth in the second half, with both teams pushing for the game-winner. The Hornets ended up getting it after midfielder Caiden Jurek combined with striker Christopher Jones and finished with a left-footed shot and managed to preserve their lead until the end, securing an important road win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hornets appear in fourth place in the MLS Next Flex Frontier Conference standings, with 14 points (four wins, two losses, two ties). GFI rank right above them in third, with 15 (five wins, 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_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":"Damron Atkins","_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":"6'1u0022","_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":"Emerson","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Dallas 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-67a16e8ce1edc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Atkins was instrumental in the Hornets' victory, doing great defensive work for the team. Fellow center back [player_tooltip player_id='16116' first='Evan' last='Bracewell'] and him displayed great chemistry and did an excellent job of defending the team's penalty box, clearing crosses with great efficiency and blocking the space in the center of the field. Atkins was moved to left back during the second half and was successful in most of the duels against GFI's winger Anthony Garcia, who was the team's most dangerous player at that moment. He also performed very well in possession, displaying calm to connect accurate passes out of the back and even making some runs forward when he sensed and opportunity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":278538,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/02/2J4A0344.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-278538" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">GFI U19 vs. Dallas Hornets 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":"Caiden Jurek","_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":"6'1u0022","_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":"Frisco","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Dallas 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-67a16e8ce1f82"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jurek scored the game-winning goal for the Hornets, converting the best opportunity he had in the match with a difficult left-footed finish. Typically a wide midfielder, he was used more centrally and more advanced, almost as a second forward, and he did well there. Jurek worked very well off of striker Christopher Jones, appearing in good spots around him every time his teammate got on the end of a long pass. He also had some good moments drifting wide to get on the ball and making diagonal runs with it. Jurek also supported the team's defensive system, making GFI's buildup more difficult.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":278545,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/02/2J4A0374.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-278545" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">GFI U19 vs. Dallas Hornets 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":"Waleed Hadj-Hamou","_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":"5'10u0022","_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":"Wakeland","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Dallas 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-67a16e8ce208c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hadj-Hamou had a big influence on the game from his defensive midfielder position. He was very active defensively, regaining possession many times and helping his team block the center area of the field. The midfielder was also important when his team had the ball, connecting passes at an incredibly high rate, helping them keep possession and finding teammates in good spots. A lefty, Hadj-Hamou thrived with long passes and shifts, also appearing well in set pieces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":278544,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/02/2J4A0371.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-278544" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">GFI U19 vs. Dallas Hornets 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":"Christopher Jones","_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":"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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Dallas 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-67a16e8ce211a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Hornets' physical striker played a major role in their victory, assisting Jurek for the game-winning goal. Jones seemed a bit isolated when his team won possession and sent long passes his way, but he did an excellent job of getting on the end of them and holding the ball until this teammates approached. He worked very well with his back to the goal, but also made intelligent and strong runs behind the backline, providing his teammates with a passing option. He had a good chance to score in the second half, but couldn't control a pass inside the penalty box and ended up losing possession.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":278547,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/02/2J4A0384.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-278547" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">GFI U19 vs. Dallas Hornets 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":"[player_tooltip player_id='16071' first='Eduardo' last='Barboza']","_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":"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":"North Mesquite","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Dallas 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-67a16e8ce21a5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Barboza was very efficient in his two-way role in the Hornets' midfield, helping the team move the ball from the backline to the attack with great precision. When the team looked to transition quickly, he was very effective at finding the players in front of him with little time on the ball. When they attacked a structured GFI side, Barboza thrived with his movement off the ball, finding good spots to receive passes. He also played with good energy in the middle, and, even undersized against many of his opponents, still managed to win several duels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":278534,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/02/2J4A0330.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-278534" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">GFI U19 vs. Dallas Hornets U19</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["56106"],"_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-67a16e8ce21fb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Playing as an attacking midfielder, Koc was GFI's main playmaker in the match. He got on the ball a lot and, even at times defended by multiple opponents, still found ways to get by them and push his team forward. Because of his ability to dribble in tight spaces, Koc was one of the few GFI players who managed to create plays through the middle. His passing was also very accurate and he made some nice shifts, finding the wingers in good spots. He converted the penalty kick to score the team's goal with a great shot and was dangerous near the end, when his team looked for an equalizer, sending crosses into the Hornets' penalty box.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":278536,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/02/2J4A0333.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-278536" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">GFI U19 vs. Dallas Hornets 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":"Anthony Garcia","_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":"5'8u0022","_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":"Paetow","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Global 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-67a16e8ce2286"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Playing as an inverted winger on the right, Garcia had a slow start to the match, but after that, he found his rhythm and became one of his team's most dangerous offensive weapons. He was very effective at going at defenders in 1v1 plays and in one of them, he drew the penalty kick that resulted in GFI's lone goal. A lefty, Garcia displayed great technical resources, beating defenders with moves to both sides. On a couple of occasions, he brought the ball inside to finish from outside the penalty box and didn't miss the goal by much with his curled shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":278532,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/02/2J4A0322.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-278532" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">GFI U19 vs. Dallas Hornets 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":"Sebastian Faudoa","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Global 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-67a16e8ce2312"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">GFI's captain had a busy game in the center of the field. Playing as a defensive midfielder, Faudoa worked hard off the ball, winning duels and stopping some of the Hornets' pushes. He also appeared well with his distribution, supporting the team's buildup an connecting good passes. With his team struggling to create through the middle, Faudoa joined the attack on some occasions and helped them move the ball int the first third with good efficiency.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":278518,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/02/2J4A0277.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-278518" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">GFI U19 vs. Dallas Hornets U19</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->