MLS Next U14: Herrera and Ryu lead the Dynamo past 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 26, we were present at the Houston Sports Park when the [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] U14 team defeated [program_tooltip program_id='283654' first='Global' last='Football Innovation Academy'] (GFI) 4-1.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2025/05/mls-next-u14-houston-dynamo-vs-gfi-photos/">Photos: [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] U14 vs. GFI U14</a></li> </ul>   The Dynamo had control of the game for the entire first half, but were only able to score once within the first 40 minutes. The home team got the ball into the back of the net at the 23rd minute, after midfielder David Herrera dribbled two opponents in the center of the field and sent the ball to forward [player_tooltip player_id='295641' first='Aariz' last='Syed'], who finished well.   In the second half, the Dynamo pushed hard at the start and sealed their victory with three goals scored within seven minutes. Midfielder Ryu Roberts scored the first, with a low shot from outside the box in the tenth minute, and the third, taking advantage of a passing error by GFI's goalkeeper to get the ball inside the box and send it home seven minutes later. In the 13th minute, Herrera picked up the rebound of a shot fired by midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='295643' first='Eli' last='Georgas'] and sent the ball into an open net. GFI got their only goal in the match in the 30th minute, when forward [player_tooltip player_id='295652' first='Javi' last='Mendoza'] benefited from a communication mistake in the Dynamo defense to pick the ball up and score.   Following the match, the Dynamo have 15 wins, six losses and one tie in the MLS Next League Frontier division standings, ranking third. GFI have eight wins, 13 losses and four ties, and are ninth.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match</h2>    The son of former [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] star Hector Herrera, David had a key role in the team's midfield and helped them control the game with an excellent performance. He spent most of the match playing as a defensive midfielder and displayed excellent skills to win possession, appearing in the right spots to make stops and being very firm with his tackles. The midfielder was also heavily involved in the team's playmaking and showed great ability to dribble and pass with both feet. Herrera made an amazing play to set Syed up to score the team's first goal and scored the third himself, following up on an offensive play to pick the rebound up and send the ball into he back of the net. The midfielder was also very accurate with his set pieces, providing great service to his teammates.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/04/2J4A0136.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-285999" /></figure>    Roberts came off the bench during the first half and was pivotal for the Dynamo's victory, scoring twice. He played as a second forward, in more of a central position, and gave a new dynamic to the team's offense with his impressive intelligence on the ball and his ability to dribble in tight spaces. Roberts didn't need much time on the ball to make an impact, smartly using his first touch to beat defenders and connecting quick, efficient first-time passes that facilitated the team's offense. He scored his first goal with a well-placed shot from outside the box and did a great job of taking advantage from a passing error from GFI's goalkeeper to win the ball inside the box and score another one.    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/DI9P9lkuZ3n/ </div></figure>    Georgas was very active and efficient playing as a wide midfielder for the Dynamo. He spent the first half on the left and moved to the right in the second half, keeping a solid level of play and contributing on both sides of the ball. Georgas was dominant defensively, winning the vast majority of the duels he was involved and not allowing much to happen on his side of the field. He also had a strong offensive presence for the Dynamo, getting to the final third with a lot of power and making good decisions with his passing and dribbling. Georgas was directly involved in the team's third goal, firing the powerful shot that generated the rebound for Herrera to score.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/04/2J4A0235_29908d.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-286035" /></figure>    Ambriz led the Dynamo's defensive efforts and was very close to helping the team get a clean sheet. Playing in the center of their back three, the center back had to deal with many long-ball attempts and was very reliable. Ambriz did a good job of staying tight to the GFI forwards and got to shut them down by intercepting the passes that targeted them. On the few occasions the passes made it past him, he was able to recover very well and keep things under control. Ambriz initiated every Dynamo buildup and displayed great quality and confidence on the ball, connecting good passes out of the back and making some runs on the ball upfield.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/04/2J4A0137_226df2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-286000" /></figure>    Despite the Dynamo's comfortable victory, it was an open match and GFI also had their chances to score. Nielsen did a great job of avoiding them, handling well the shots that went his way - the opponents' goal happened due to a communication issue in the Dynamo's defensive system. The goalkeeper also used his size extremely well to collect crosses and was very quick to leave the goal to get to long passes behind the backline. Nielson communicated with his defenders during the entire match and showed himself to be extremely aware and well-versed in the tactical side of the game, consistently suggesting adjustments and improvements.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/04/2J4A0173.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-286016" /></figure>    GFI's captain Ramirez had a solid display at left back for them. He had to sustain a lot of pressure from the Dynamo, as his team's entire backline, and did well in his zone, defending with firmness and competing for the ball. Ramirez also did a good job of coming inside and helping the center backs when plays developed on the right of their defense, adding an extra body into the penalty box. Because of the circumstances of the match, the left back didn't have many opportunities to push forward and contribute on offense, but he connected good passes in the back and supported the team's buildup efficiently.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/04/2J4A0164.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-286011" /></figure>    Mendoza came off the bench and added a new spark to GFI's offense. He scored the team's goal in a play in which he deserves credit for chasing a long ball and remaining alert and ready to react in a play that seemed controlled by the Dynamo's defense. Mendoza almost scored again a few minutes later, when he intercepted a pass in the final third and fired a nice shot from outside the box, but it was saved. He also made some strong runs through the middle that kept the opposing backline under pressure.

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