MLSNext U14: Austin's second-half surge leads to 3-0 win over GFI

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 were in attendance when the Global Football Innovation (GFI) Academy and [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC']'s U14 teams met in the Houston area. After a scoreless first half, Austin dominated in the second half to return home with a 3-0 victory.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2025/04/mls-next-u14-gfi-vs-austin-fc-photos/">Photos: GFI U14 vs. [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC'] U14</a></li> </ul>   GFI had control of the match for most of the first half and created the best chances in the initial 40 minutes. Forward [player_tooltip player_id='295582' first='Emilio' last='Maldonado'] got in front of the goal, but was stopped by Austin's goalkeeper [player_tooltip player_id='295671' first='Kendrew' last='Reyes']. Near the end, midfielder Mateo Busto almost scored a beautiful one, controlling a cross and flicking the ball over an opponent, but his shot went over. Austin's best chance in the half was a long distance shot by midfielder Bryce Newbrough.   The visiting team got on the board in the fifth minute of the second half, with Newbrough covering a penalty suffered by fellow midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='295669' first='Logan' last='Jenkyn']. Seven minutes later, forward [player_tooltip player_id='295667' first='Matthew' last='Stokes'] picked up a rebound from a shot by Brayden Ray that hit the crossbar and scored another one with a beautiful volley. The pair worked again to produce the team's third goal as Stokes pressed GFI's goalkeeper and the ball went right to Ray, who sent it into an open net.   [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC'] now have 12 wins, eight losses and five ties in the 2024-2025 MLS Next League season, appearing in sixth place in the Frontier Division. GFI rank ninth in the Conference, having seven wins, 12 losses and four ties.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match</h2>    Newbrough was incredibly effective at helping Austin dominate the center of the field, playing with great intensity and intelligence. He disrupted many GFI offensive actions through the middle with his excellent positioning and forced them to play long, facilitating the work of his team's defenders. Newbrough also did great work on the ball, using his body to shield it from opponents and distributing it efficiently. The midfielder contributed offensively when he stepped into the final third, finding good passes and firing a dangerous shot from outside the box in the first half. The midfielder also stepped up to take the penalty kick that resulted in the team's first goal and paved the way for their victory with a confident and well-placed shot.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/04/2J4A0207.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-285067" /></figure>    Ray played the striker role extremely well for Austin and was his team's offensive focal point in the match. He used his body extremely well to get on the end of passes and shield the ball and didn't hold the ball for too long, keeping their offense very fluid. An athletic player, he also made some strong diagonal runs, keeping GFI's defenders alert. He was involved in two of the team's three goals, peeling off a defender to hit the crossbar and generate the rebound that Stokes converted and doing a great job of following up on his teammate's pressure to score the third goal.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/04/2J4A0108_6adade.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-285034" /></figure>    Stokes didn't stay on the field for as long as most of his teammates did, but he made a major impact in the game. Playing as a left winger, he was very aggressive on the ball and played very directly, using his pace to challenge GFI defenders. Stokes was also involved in two of the team's goals in the match. In the first one, although he finished into an open net, Stokes displayed impressive athleticism and body control to make contact with the ball in a difficult spot. He also deserves a lot of credit for pressing GFI's goalkeeper and forcing him into the mistake that led to the team's third goal.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/04/2J4A0163.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-285057" /></figure>    Jenkyn had an excellent shift playing next to Newbrough in central midfield. He was very involved in the game and was excellent with his distribution, finding teammates in great spots and moving the ball with great intelligence. He also did very well when he stepped into the final third and was taken down in the box in one of his runs, generating the penalty kick that resulted in his team's first goal. Jenkyn was very active throughout the match and kept his level of play extremely elevated, making great decisions every time he had the ball.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/04/2J4A0105.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-285033" /></figure>    Austin had to work for their clean sheet as GFI had good offensive moments, especially in the first half, and Reyes was a big part of it. The goalkeeper came up with some early saves in plays that could have changed the flow of the game if the opponents had scored. He dealt with every shot that went his way confidently and was particularly impressive at stopping a short-distance, low shot from [player_tooltip player_id='295582' first='Emilio' last='Maldonado'], getting to the ground very quickly. Reyes was also very comfortable with his feet, taking his time on the ball and avoiding long balls out of the back.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/04/2J4A0110_89c69c.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-285035" /></figure>    GFI's best moments in the match happened when they managed to get through Austin's first line of pressure and get the ball to Garcia in midfield. The left-footed playmaker did a great job of connecting long passes, combining impressive vision and amazing precision in his passing. He also thrived in creating space in the center of the field by intelligently using his first touch and making smart moves. Garcia made Austin's goalkeeper work on a direct free kick in the second half and also provided good service to his teammates from set pieces in the attacking half.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/04/2J4A0182.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-285061" /></figure>    Busto came off the bench during the first half and significantly increased GFI's firepower. Very quick and creative, he had some great runs on the left side of the team's midfield, displaying tremendous confidence to take opponents on the dribble and take the ball to the end line. Busto almost scored a beautiful goal by controlling a cross in the far post, flicking the ball over an opponent and firing a powerful shot that went over. He continued to be active in the second half, occasionally bringing the ball inside from the left to feed the forwards with through balls.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/04/2J4A0176.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-285059" /></figure>    Even if GFI conceded three goals in the second half, Hartley had a good performance in the backline. The right-sided center back was under pressure for most of the match and made some important interventions inside and around the penalty box, especially in the air. Hartley also took responsibility to lead GFI's buildup and constantly asked for the ball, connecting some long passes out of the back. He spent some time in midfield and kept his intensity level high there as well.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/04/2J4A0192.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-285062" /></figure>

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 were in attendance when the Global Football Innovation (GFI) Academy and Austin FC 's U14 teams met in the Houston area. After a scoreless first half, Austin dominated in the second half to return home with a 3-0 victory.

Photos: GFI U14 vs. U14

GFI had control of the match for most of the first half and created the best chances in the initial 40 minutes. Forward Emilio Maldonado Emilio Maldonado 5'5" | M/F | 2029 State TX got in front of the goal, but was stopped by Austin's goalkeeper Kendrew Reyes Kendrew Reyes GK State TX . Near the end, midfielder Mateo Busto almost scored a beautiful one, controlling a cross and flicking the ball over an opponent, but his shot went over. Austin's best chance in the half was a long distance shot by midfielder Bryce Newbrough.

The visiting team got on the board in the fifth minute of the second half, with Newbrough covering a penalty suffered by fellow midfielder Logan Jenkyn Logan Jenkyn M St Andrew's Episcopal | 2029 TX . Seven minutes later, forward Matthew Stokes Matthew Stokes F State TX picked up a rebound from a shot by Brayden Ray that hit the crossbar and scored another one with a beautiful volley. The pair worked again to produce the team's third goal as Stokes pressed GFI's goalkeeper and the ball went right to Ray, who sent it into an open net.

Austin FC now have 12 wins, eight losses and five ties in the 2024-2025 MLS Next League season, appearing in sixth place in the Frontier Division. GFI rank ninth in the Conference, having seven wins, 12 losses and four ties.