MLS Next U16: Houston Rangers beat IDEA Toros in nine-goal 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, May 10, while several teams from the Lone Star State competed at the MLS Next Flex event in Baltimore, Maryland, we were at the Crossbar Academy, in Houston, where the [program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers'] and the IDEA Toros U16 featured in a nine-goal match that had the home team triumphing 5-4.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2025/05/mls-next-u16-houston-rangers-vs-idea-toros-photos/">Photos: [program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers'] U16 vs. IDEA Toros U16</a></li> </ul>   Playing at home, the Rangers needed less than two minutes to get going as the team won possession in the attacking half and midfielder Patrick McHugh assisted forward Alejandro Gomez to score with a low shot. Midfielder Paolo Martinez put the Toros back in the game, scoring twice within four minutes - he converted a penalty kick in the 12th minute and finished after a pass by forward Matias Silva in the 16th minute.   Midfielder Sebastian Guerra did the same for the Rangers and gave them a 3-2 lead as he got on the end of a corner kick on the far post to get his first goal in the 24th minute and dribbled a defender and placed the ball into the back of the net to score his second in the 42nd minute. The Rangers got one more before the halftime break as midfielder Matteo Geranton drove the ball through the left after a corner kick and passed it to defender Robertt Heredia, who tapped it in.   The second half had three goals, all scored within four minutes. The Toros got one back in the 12th minute, when they won possession in the final third and had midfielder Felipe Ortiz pick up the rebound of his shot off the post to score. In the following play, Guerra completed his hat-trick and put the Rangers ahead 5-3 with a cross-shot from the edge of the box. At the 16th minute, defender Ian Silles scored for the Toros, controlling a free kick cross by Silva and firing a left-footed shot.   With the result, the Rangers completed their campaign in the MLS Next League Frontier Division with 33 points (11 wins, three losses)- they moved up to first place. The Toros have two more matches to play and have 20 points (six wins, four losses, two ties), appearing in third place.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match</h2>    Originally a midfielder, Guerra played as a striker and mastered the position, doing an excellent job of converting his chances while also serving as the focal point of his team's offense. He was very active in the team's chance-creation efforts, working well with his back to the goal to facilitate his teammates' movement off the ball with quick passes, and also dropped deeper to make runs on the ball through the middle. Guerra displayed great positioning inside the box to score the team's first goal, getting into the back post on a corner kick, and was very smart with his first touch, using it to beat defenders and create space outside the box, a skill he used in his other two goals.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/05/2J4A0118_8fe3de.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-287108" /></figure>    McHugh displayed tremendous intensity in midfield for the Rangers and had an important two-way role for the team. The dynamic midfielder was very effective with his distribution, finding great options in transition plays and assisting Gomez in the team's first goal with a quick, direct pass. McHugh also appeared well on the defensive side of the game, popping up in great spots to dispossess opponents and avoid what could have been good chances for the Toros. He moved to left back during the first half, when team captain Xavi Salguero went down with an injury, and continued to perform well, displaying great solidity on defense and supporting the offense with his ability to bring the ball from wider spots to the center.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/05/2J4A0193.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-287130" /></figure>    Playing on the left side of the Rangers' attack, Gomez was very active offensively. He scored the team's first goal with a well-placed shot early in the match and continued to be dangerous. Gomez was very effective when isolated out wide with his ability to take defenders in 1v1 situations, but he also did a good job of coming inside and combining with his teammates. The forward came into the box to get in a position to finish chances when plays developed on the right and got to feed his teammates with intelligent headed passes.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/05/2J4A0039_fcb069.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-287087" /></figure>    Heredia didn't have a good start to the match as he lost balance when he tried to dribble opponents inside his own box and was called for a penalty kick as he landed with his hands on the ball. The mistake didn't take anything from his confidence, as the center back immediately reacted and put on a solid shift for his team. Heredia was very strong in the air, dealing with long passes extremely well, and also winning many duels on the ground. The center back also did well in possession, initiating the team's buildup, and appeared well inside the box to score the team's fourth goal after a corner kick.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/05/2J4A0111.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-287103" /></figure>    Arzate spent time on both wings and was a key piece in the Rangers' attack. He was always very direct, using his first touch to beat opponents in space and make strong runs upfield. Arzate made some very good plays in wide spots, but also came inside to make intelligent passes and connect with his teammates. He assisted Guerra in scoring the team's third goal after beating a defender and getting the Toros' backline out of shape to create space for his teammate.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/05/2J4A0142_c56e7e.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-287116" /></figure>    Martinez scored two of his team's four goals and was a constant threat in the attack for the Toros. He was very calm and composed to convert the penalty kick with a safe shot in the middle, and followed it up with a good run inside from the left to score again with a well-placed shot a few minutes later. Martinez spent most of the match on the left side of the team's attack and did a good job of coming inside to connect diagonal passes and quickly switch the point of attack. He moved to the right near the end and made some dangerous plays there as well, continuing to combine good pace and excellent technical skills.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/05/2J4A0198_e0699d.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-287131" /></figure>    Silva was the Toros' striker and, even though he didn't get to score, he still had a major role in the team's offense. The forward was very good at facilitating his team's offense by getting first to long passes and redirecting them with headers or first-time passes that found his teammates in good spots in the final third. Silva was also very dangerous when he drifted wide, especially to the left, as he was extremely difficult to dispossess and displayed great vision to pass the ball with his skilled left foot. The forward registered a pair of assists, feeding Martines in the team's second goal after he made a good turn and run on the left, and taking the free kick that found Silles open to score his team's fourth goal.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/05/2J4A0141.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-287115" /></figure>    Abrego had a solid shift at defensive midfielder for the Toros. He was very consistent throughout the match, keeping his level of play and intensity elevated during the entire time. Abrego was very active defensively, winning duels and timing his tackles well to stop plays in the middle. He also did a good job in possession, not spending much time on the ball and finding teammates in good spots with his passing.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/05/2J4A0135.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-287113" /></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.