MLS Next U19: Moncrief leads Austin to road win over the Dynamo

The MLS Next League season continues to progress across the country, with multiple matches being held every weekend.   This season, we at Prep Soccer Texas have been following the matches involving the teams from the state very closely. On Saturday, March 29, we followed the Texas Derby between the [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] and [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC']'s U19 teams at the Houston Sports Park, which ended with Austin securing a big 2-1 road win.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2025/03/mls-next-u19-houston-dynamo-vs-austin-fc-photos/">Photos: [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] U19 vs. [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC'] U19 </a></li> </ul>   All three goals of the match were scored in the last 20 minutes of the first half. Austin got on the board first, when midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='90844' first='Landry' last='Moncrief'] dribbled the ball to the left and then brought it inside to finish with a well-placed shot. The visitors got another one about ten minutes later, after the Dynamo's [player_tooltip player_id='148174' first='Tristan' last='Cottle'] took Austin's forward [player_tooltip player_id='56103' first='Joah' last='Reyna'] down inside the penalty box. Center back Lucas Cavalcante converted the penalty kick with a low shot. Before the halftime whistle, outside back [player_tooltip player_id='288461' first='Lalo' last='Estrada'] got one back for the Dynamo with a beautiful shot from outside the penalty box.   The Dynamo dominated possession in the second half and pushed for a goal. Estrada nearly got another one on two occasions - he hit another great shot from the left, which went a few inches over the goal, and took a free kick that deflected off the wall and went out. Forward [player_tooltip player_id='90004' first='Javier' last='Caro'] also had a good chance to score for the home team, but Austin's goalkeeper Cooper Roney stopped him. Near the end, Austin made a great play in transition that got midfielder Damion Perez in a great spot, but Dynamo's goalkeeper [player_tooltip player_id='90051' first='Gianmarco' last='Alvarez'] stepped up to stop him.   With the victory, Austin got to 25 points (eight wins, two losses, one tie) in the MLS Next League Central (South) Division standings and continue in first place. The Dynamo have 16 points (five wins, five losses, one tie) and are third.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match</h2>    Operating as a defensive midfielder, Moncrief was one of the pillars of Austin's play against the Dynamo. He was very active defensively, playing with intensity and covering ground, and got on the ball very often when Austin had possession. Moncrief distributed the game very intelligently and was very patient and efficient when he had the ball. The midfielder also did a great job of identifying the best moments to step into the final third and support the offense and scored the team's first goal in a play in which he did just that - and was also calm and confident to keep the ball to finish when multiple teammates asked for a pass. Moncrief was sent off in the final minutes for stopping a transition play from the Dynamo, but that didn't take anything away from his excellent performance.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/2J4A0087_6d79cb.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-283880" /></figure>    Cavalcante was heavily impactful in Austin's victory, having a solid defensive display and also contributing when in possession. Fellow center back [player_tooltip player_id='56081' first='Mason' last='Miller'] and him displayed great chemistry and protected the team's penalty box with tremendous efficiency. Cavalcante used his size to control the space and won many duels in the center of the field, shutting down the Dynamo's attempts to get into the defensive with combination plays - he also did a good job of interception long ball attempts. He displayed rare quality on the ball for a center back, interestingly using mostly his right foot to dribble and pass the ball and his left foot to take set pieces, including the game-winning penalty kick.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/2J4A0005_15c0aa.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-283852" /></figure>    Playing next to Moncrief in midfield, Stephens helped Austin control the center of the field. He was very efficient when in possession and displayed great chemistry with his teammates as the two frequently looked for each other to exchange passes and progress the ball on the field. Stephens had the most freedom among the two to roam in the attacking half and he used it very well, appearing in great spots to make plays. He also displayed a good work rate on defense, helping his team close out the space in the middle and win the ball back.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/2J4A0102_e5530a.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-283886" /></figure>    Playing on the right side of Austin's attack, Coughlin did a good job of creating chances for his team. He read the game very well and was very intelligent with how he attacked the space available out wide, getting to the end line on some occasions and sending good crosses into the penalty box. The winger wasn't afraid to attack defenders in 1v1 situations and, on some occasions, brought the ball from wider positions to the middle to combine with his teammates. Coughlin also offered solid defensive contributions, tracking back to help when his team didn't have the ball.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/2J4A0036_39e0fa.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-283864" /></figure>    Badawiya was Austin's most offensive-minded midfielder and he was very active while he was on the field - he was subbed off during the second half. The midfielder did a good job of finding space to operate between the Dynamo's defensive lines and consistently got into dangerous spots in the final third. Badawiya also displayed good vision and quality on the ball around the penalty box, sending well-weighted through balls with his skilled left foot.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/2J4A0049_94636b.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-283867" /></figure>    Playing as a left back, Estrada was involved in the Dynamo's best offensive moments in the match. He appeared well in the attacking half and scored the team's only goal in the match with an excellent shot from well outside the penalty box that went into the upper corner. In the second half, he almost scored another goal in the same way and had another dangerous shot off a free kick. Estrada had an interesting battle with Coughlin in the first half, but did a good job of containing the Austin winger after that.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/2J4A0085_5cb39e.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-283878" /></figure>    Originally a midfielder, Ramani was pushed back to the backline as the Dynamo missed several center backs and did a good job there. He used his athleticism in a very effective way, using his pace to chase Austin attackers higher up on the field and defend in space. Ramani was also very quick to make defensive actions and managed to make some key stops around the penalty box. He did a fine job in possession as well and supported the team's buildup.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/2J4A0015_c246ba.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-283855" /></figure>

The MLS Next League season continues to progress across the country, with multiple matches being held every weekend.