MLS Next U17: Wegman and Chelala star as FC Dallas and GFI tie

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The MLS Next League season continues to progress across the country, with multiple matches being held every weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This season, we at Prep Soccer Texas have been following the matches involving the teams from the state very closely. On Sunday, April 27, we were at the U17 duel between the [program_tooltip program_id='283654' first='Global' last='Football Innovation Academy'] (GFI) and [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'], in the Houston area, which ended in a 3-3 tie. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2025/05/mls-next-u17-gfi-vs-fc-dallas-photos/">Photos: GFI U17 vs. [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] U17</a></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All six goals were scored in the second half, and Dallas got their three within six minutes, all scored by forward [player_tooltip player_id='167846' first='Caleb' last='Wegman']. The towering forward beat GFI's goalkeeper for a long ball in the air and sent it into the back of the net in the 11th minute, got on the end of a cross by midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='88587' first='Kevin' last='Rodriguez'] two minutes later and completed his hat-trick on the 17th minute, when he picked up the rebound of a deflected shot and redirected it into the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Supersub forward Santiago Chelala reenergized GFI and pushed them to get a point in the match with two goals scored off the bench. He redirected a free kick cross with a well-placed header in the 30th minute and scored again nine minutes later, connecting a beautiful bicycle kick inside the six-yard box after a corner kick. Chelala was also involved in GFI's equalizer, as immediately after the restart following his second goal, he pressed [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] defender Ninor Olu and saw goalkeeper Alan Ortega struggle to control his pass, sending the ball into the back of the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After the intense match, GFI appear in fourth place in the MLS Next League Frontier Division standings, with 20 points (six wins, five losses, two ties), while [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] are second with 35 points (11 wins, one loss, two ties).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Santiago Chelala","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"103","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Stratford","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='283654' first='Global' last='Football Innovation Academy']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6811022463481"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Chelala came off the bench during the second half and sparked GFI's reaction, getting involved in all three goals and positively influencing the team's spirit with his high-energy game. He brought a lot of intensity to the field and fought for every ball up top, putting tremendous pressure on [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']' backline. Chelala was consistently in good spots inside the box and displayed excellent finishing skills to convert both chances he had, getting a subtle touch on the ball with his head to send it into the back of the net in the first one and showing great athleticism and reaction to connect a beautiful bicycle kick. He was also directly involved in the third goal, pressing the [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] defender who passed the ball back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":286227,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/04/2J4A0398.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-286227" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Christian Velasco","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"102","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Goose Creek Memorial","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='283654' first='Global' last='Football Innovation Academy']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6811022463560"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Velasco was another substitute who made a major impact in GFI's reaction. The center midfielder came in during the first half and made his team compete with more energy in the center of the field, playing with intensity and going hard to win duels. Velasco also made GFI take better care of the ball, distributing the game well and connecting interesting long passes with his skilled left foot. The midfielder also provided great service in set pieces, and he sent the ball back for Cheala to score the team's second goal with a nice pass over the top inside the box.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":286226,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/04/2J4A0394.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-286226" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["275229"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68110224635fd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Playing as a wide midfielder, Alvarado was a consistently dangerous attacking weapon for GFI. He was particularly active in the first half, when he played on the left side and made several runs down the line. Alvarado was very good at finding space behind the opposing outside back and timed his runs extremely well, getting to the end line to make crosses and bringing the ball inside to finish. He moved to the right during the second half and continued to get involved in most of his team's offensive plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":286207,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/04/2J4A0323.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-286207" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Gabriel Rodriguez","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"102","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Rudder","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='283654' first='Global' last='Football Innovation Academy']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68110224636d7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Even though GFI had their best moment in the match after Rodriguez was subbed off, the midfielder had a solid shift while he was on the field. He played the attacking midfielder role very well, doing an excellent job of linking plays and getting on the ball very often. Rodriguez displayed great vision in the final third, often finding the team's wide players in good spots, and also appeared well outside the box, looking for an opportunity to finish chances.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":286200,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/04/2J4A0305.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-286200" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["167846"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-681102246373c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wegman was very close to deciding the match in just seven minutes, thanks to his excellent presence inside the box and superior finishing skills. The forward spent most of the first half fighting for space with GFI defenders and did a good job of getting on the end of long passes and holding the ball up, but didn't get much service inside the box, getting just one finish after a free kick cross. In the second half, his teammates were able to find Wegman more often close to the goal and he responded with three goals. The forward also did some good work with his back to the goal, facilitating combination plays and turning on the defenders to finish. He had to play the final 20 minutes with an injury and without his ability to hold the ball up top, Dallas started giving it away to GFI, who pushed to get the tie.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":286212,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/04/2J4A0339.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-286212" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Wyatt Easterly","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"101","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6811022463813"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']' captain Easterly had a solid display on central defense for them. He was very firm in winning duels during the match and couldn't have done anything better to avoid the goals the team conceded. Easterly also defended very well in space, especially in the first half, when he had to step away from central defense to challenge Alvarado on the left side of GFI's attack. The defender was always very calm and confident on the ball and displayed great quality to connect passes out of the back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":286192,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/04/2J4A0279.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-286192" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["88587"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6811022463876"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rodriguez played two different roles for [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] during the match and was very consistent with his game, keeping her level high and steady during the 90 minutes. He was the team's defensive midfielder in the first half and, besides covering ground and doing solid work off the ball, also played a big role in possession, dropping between the center backs to initiate the buildup. Rodriguez moved to right back in the second half and in one of the few times he pushed forward, he got to assist Wegman. He was under heavy pressure in the last 20 minutes of the match, but did a good job of protecting his zone and didn't allow much to happen there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":286188,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/04/2J4A0269.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-286188" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["226594"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68110224638f5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Vo had a strong performance in the backline for [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']. He started the match playing as a left-sided center back and was very good at cutting passing lanes and anticipating, reading plays very efficiently and quickly stepping up to get to the ball first. Vo also played a major role in the team's buildup, using his talented left foot and excellent vision to connect great passes out of the back. He moved to left back in the second half and displayed good quality to support the team's offense, hitting the crossbar with a shot and getting a header just a few inches too high.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->