MLS Next U15: GFI and Austin FC even in exciting match

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, April 12, we followed an exciting U15 match between Globall Football Innovation (GFI) Academy and [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC'], in the Houston area. The match ended tied 1-1.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2025/04/mls-next-u15-gfi-vs-austin-fc-photos/">Photos: GFI U15 vs. [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC'] U15</a></li> </ul>   Both goals of the match were scored in the first half. Austin got on the scoreboard first, right on the eighth minute, when a quick breakaway found forward [player_tooltip player_id='288599' first='Elijah' last='Duhaney'] in a great position to score. Later, in the 26th minute, the home team leveled the score. Forward [player_tooltip player_id='295675' first='Andrew' last='Park'] won the ball just outside Austin's penalty box and sent it into the back of the net with a well-placed left-footed shot.   In the second half, Austin controlled the actions for most of the time, dominating possession and keeping the ball in their attacking half, but they couldn't get a great chance to score. On one of the few occasions they pushed forward, GFI had the best opportunity in the second half, with midfielder Matthew Restrepo finding forward Hunter Karst with a great pass behind the backline, but Austin's goalkeeper Bennett Richardson did a great job of leaving his spot to block his shot.   With the result, GFI got to nine points (two wins, four losses, three ties) in the MLS Next Frontier Division, where they appear in tenth place. Austin have now 18 points (five wins, two losses, three ties) and rank fifth.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match</h2>    Park had a lot of freedom to operate in the attack for GFI, and he was involved in most of the team's chance creation during the match. The left-footed forward moved a lot in the final third and displayed an extremely well-rounded game, being dangerous when he got the ball on the wings to face defenders 1v1 and also when he dropped deeper to operate as a playmaker. With his excellent vision and his ability to dribble in tight spaces, Park was consistently dangerous, combining well with the players around him. He did a great job of pressing an Austin defender to win the ball in the play that resulted in his goal, and was very calm and intelligent in front of the goal to send it into the back of the net.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/04/2J4A0061-2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-285006" /></figure>    Playing one age group up, Hoerner had a strong shift on central defense for GFI. Fellow center back Ryan Quinn and him were under heavy pressure during the second half, when Austin heavily dominated possession, and did a great job to protect their team's penalty box. He also played an interesting role defensively, peeling from the backline to press players in midfield, displaying great mobility and awareness to defend in space. Hoerner was also excellent on the ball, showing calm and quality to lead the team's buildup, connecting passes out of the back and dribbling through pressure to get the back upfield.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/04/2J4A0026-2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-284993" /></figure>    GFI's captain Lares was having a solid shift until he had to leave the match due to an injury at around the 60-minute mark. Playing as a wide midfielder on the left, he contributed a lot to the team's offense with his excellent vision and decision-making in the attacking half. Lares operated very smoothly around the penalty box and also fired some dangerous shots from distance, forcing Austin's goalkeeper into some complicated saves. He also displayed tremendous commitment and energy on defense, playing hard and making several stops on the left side of the field for his team.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/04/2J4A0003_b70409.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-284982" /></figure>    Playing as a defensive midfielder, Cessac also had an important role in helping GFI contain Austin's strong push in the second half. He was very active in the center of the field, covering a lot of ground and winning duels, and made some key defensive plays inside and around the penalty box that stopped what could have been good chances for the visitors. Cessac also did well every time he had the ball, and his ability to connect long passes helped his team have some dangerous plays in the second half of the match.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/04/2J4A0071-2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-285011" /></figure>    [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC']'s captain Seyhoon had an excellent performance in central midfield for his team. An extremely intelligent player, he dominated the center of the field with his excellent positioning and high soccer IQ, consistently making the right choice and making the game easier for those around him. Seyhoon was very solid defensively, cutting passing lanes with great efficiency, and made it difficult for GFI to attack through the middle. He got on the ball a lot when his team had possession and was excellent at creating space with quick moves and with how well he passed the ball, be it from central midfield or when he stepped into the final third.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/04/2J4A0009_6c35f1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-284985" /></figure>    Duhaney led Austin's offense in the match, scoring the team's goal and getting involved in other good plays in the final third. An athletic forward, he made some insistent runs behind the backline and kept GFI's backline under pressure with his ability to cover ground and remain onside. He also did well in holdup plays, using his big frame to shield the ball and control the space. Still during the first half, Duhaney was moved to the right and continued to threaten the opposing backline with his pace and dribbling.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/04/2J4A0044-2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-284999" /></figure>    Playing one age group up, Lopez did a good job in midfield, playing with great intensity and appearing well on both sides of the ball. He played more to the right of midfield and was very effective at taking the ball forward with quick and strong runs. Lopez displayed great ability to pass and dribble with both feet and that helped him beat GFI's defender with unexpected moves. He was very aggressive when he got to the final third and managed to dribble the ball into the penalty box on some occasions.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/04/2J4A0015.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-284988" /></figure>    Playing on the left side of Austin's attack, Monarres was a constant threat to GFI with his pace. He stayed very wide and was very aggressive and direct on the ball, wasting no time to go at defenders - he had a nice battle with GFI's right back Miles Dunn. Monarres used his dribbling ability to create space and got to the end line on some occasions, sending great low crosses into the penalty box, but his teammates couldn't capitalize on them.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/04/2J4A0051-2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-285000" /></figure>

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