MLS Next U19: Clean sheet propels the Dynamo against Minnesota

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The MLS Next League season continues to progress across the country, with multiple matches being held every weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This season, we at Prep Soccer Texas have been following the matches involving the teams from the state very closely. On Saturday, March 1, we were at the Houston Sports Park, where the Houston Dynamo U19 team defeated [program_tooltip program_id='280159' first='Minnesota' last='United'] 2-0 thanks to a strong defensive performance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2025/03/mls-next-u19-houston-dynamo-vs-minnesota-united-photos/">Photos: Houston Dynamo U19 vs. [program_tooltip program_id='280159' first='Minnesota' last='United'] U19</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was an open first half, with both teams creating chances to score. Minnesota had a good one when forward Will Smith fired a low shot from outside the penalty box, but Dynamo goalkeeper [player_tooltip player_id='90051' first='Gianmarco' last='Alvarez'] dove to save it. The home team scored in a quick play through the right, with midfielder Rafael Inojosa finding forward Fadel Kone with a nice pass behind the backline and him crossing to midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='148174' first='Tristan' last='Cottle'] find the back of the net with a left-footed shot. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Dynamo doubled their lead early in the second half in a nice combination play on a free kick. Midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='16597' first='Omar' last='Bolanos'] sent the ball to the far post, defender [player_tooltip player_id='88489' first='Gavin' last='Wolff'] headed it to the center of the penalty box and found forward [player_tooltip player_id='90004' first='Javier' last='Caro'] alone to score. Minnesota pushed for a goal until the end with midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='59864' first='Bryan' last='Espadero'] appearing well in the center of the field and outside back Mohammed Bojang making good runs on the right, but they couldn't get one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was the Dynamo's fifth victory in the MLS Next League, which took the team to 16 points (five wins, three losses, one tie) in the Central South Division. Minnesota continue with four points in the Central North Division, now with one win, five losses and one tie. </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":["16597"],"_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-67c3b355be026"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fresh from having helped Mexico qualify for the FIFA U17 World Cup, Bolanos played a pivotal role in the Dynamo's victory and the team's strong defensive performance. Sitting in front of the team's backline, the defensive midfielder was very active and made several stops in the center of the field, some of them avoiding what could have been dangerous Minnesota shots. Bolanos also had a key role in the team's buildup, appearing in different spots to help move the ball forward - he would at times drop between the center back to initiate the construction and on other occasions get on the ball further up, pushing it forward with quick, one-time passes. The midfielder did a great job serving the ball which resulted in the team's second goal off of a free kick and also appeared well in the attacking half with good switches and a dangerous shot from outside the penalty box in the second half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":280974,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/2J4A0069.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-280974" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["88489"],"_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-67c3b355be097"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A recent addition to the Dynamo, having moved alongside his father, former player Josh Wolff, who was hired as an assistant coach to the club, Wolff needed no time to integrate with his new teammates. The former [program_tooltip program_id='280108' first='Austin' last='FC'] center back anchored the Dynamo's backline against Minnesota, leading them to a clean sheet. Besides making solid defensive interventions, Wolff also played a central role in the team's buildup, not only using his skilled left foot to connect perfect passes out of the back, but also orchestrating the team's movement by shouting instructions to his teammates who were on the ball. He also appeared well offensively, assisting Caro in the team's second goal with a well-weighted header. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":280989,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/2J4A0111.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-280989" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["90051"],"_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-67c3b355be0e6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Alvarez needed to work to get his clean sheet as Minnesota fired a few dangerous shots on target, which he was ready to stop. The goalkeeper showed great range to catch a low shot from forward Will Smith and made an incredible stop in a finish from very close range by [player_tooltip player_id='59864' first='Bryan' last='Espadero'], which was then called due to an offside. Alvarez also thrived with his positioning, doing a good job when dealing with crosses or when he had to step up and get to long passes inside or outside the penalty box. The goalkeeper was brilliant with his feet too, always picking the right passing options and remaining confident on the ball even when under pressure, finding some passes that helped the Dynamo break Minnesota's high press.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":280964,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/2J4A0029.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-280964" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["148174"],"_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-67c3b355be15e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A member of the Dynamo's U16 team, Cottle played in the U19 age group for the first time and had a very good performance. He featured as a left midfielder for them and was heavily involved in the team's offense with good solo runs and combination plays. Cottle appeared very well inside the penalty box to finish Fadel Kone's cross with power and precision despite using his weak foot and was always dangerous when he brought the ball inside from the left, combining with the other attacking players or feeding overlapping outside back Zach White with great passes. He also displayed good energy and determination to help on defense and press opponents and in one of those plays, he won the ball in the attacking half and generated a good chance, but sent his shot wide.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":280981,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/2J4A0087.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-280981" /></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":"Fadel Kone","_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":"Houston 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-67c3b355be21d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kone played a few different roles offensively for the Dynamo and displayed great skills to work in the attacking half. He started the match playing as a striker and did a good job of checking back to connect with his teammates in midfield. Kone was excellent in the play that resulted in the Dynamo's first goal, timing his run extremely well to remain onside and finding Cottle with a perfect pass to score. In the second half, he spent some time playing as an attacking midfielder and was very efficient too, dribbling well in the center of the field and finding the wide players with good passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":280961,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/2J4A0020.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-280961" /></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":"Brady Schumacher","_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='280159' first='Minnesota' last='United']","_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-67c3b355be2a9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A new face with Minnesota, Schumacher, who recently transferred from Eture FC, was very active in midfield for them. Playing a box-to-box role, he was efficient in his task of taking the ball from the defenders and moving it upfield with good passes and strong runs. Schumacher played with great intensity, covering a lot of ground in midfield and working on and off the ball. He got into good spots in the attacking half, but didn't have a great opportunity to finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":280962,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/2J4A0023.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-280962" /></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":"Giovanni Cruz","_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":"101","_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='280159' first='Minnesota' last='United']","_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-67c3b355be32f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cruz had a solid shift playing as a right-sided center back for Minnesota. He was very firm in winning duels and made some key stops inside and around the penalty box, one of which was with a perfectly timed sliding tackle. The defender also displayed great pace to cover the space behind his back, tracking back in no time to challenge attackers. Cruz was heavily involved in Minnesota's buildup and displayed an interesting ability to hit short and long passes with good precision.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":280972,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/2J4A0058.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-280972" /></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":"Arien van Mol","_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":"5'9u0022","_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":"Edgewood","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='280159' first='Minnesota' last='United']","_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-67c3b355be3b3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Van Mol played left back for Minnesota and kept things quiet on his side for most of the time. He was always well-positioned and had some nice battles with Dynamo's right back Omar Flores. Van Mol also did a good job supporting his team's buildup and initiated some dangerous attacking plays by feeding winger Issa Saidi with accurate long balls. He spent some time at right back during the second half and didn't look out of place despite being a legty.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":280967,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/2J4A0037.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-280967" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->