Texas Dynamic Midfielders at MLS Next Flex

<p>The next few days are going to be huge for clubs competing in the MLS Next League, as between Friday and Tuesday, the last spots in the MLS Next Cup Playoffs will be in play during the MLS Next Flex, at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Maryland.</p>   <p>As many as 64 teams will compete in each gender. They were split into 16 pools with four clubs each, and the winners of each pool will earn the right to compete in the Playoffs, which will be held in Nashville, Tennessee, from June 14-22.</p>   <p>The state of Texas will have multiple teams competing in each age group, with a total of 14 representatives from the Lone Star State making the trip up North and getting on the field over the next five days - [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC'], [program_tooltip program_id='283624' first='Capital' last='City SC'], [program_tooltip program_id='283639' first='Dallas' last='Hornets'], [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'], [program_tooltip program_id='283654' first='Global' last='Football Innovation Academy'] (GFI) and [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] will all play for spots in the Playoffs.</p>   <p>Some of the top players in the state will be in action in the event, and we'll present a few of them who could be set for great performances in one of the biggest moments of the season. Today, we get to the midfield, and here are some of the most promising players in the position:</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Mendez is a central midfielder in the [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC'] U15 team that will face CF Montreal, FC Bay Area Surf and Baltimore Armour in Group 1. He works very well on both sides of the ball and had a large role in the team's offensive system. Mendez is very technical and creative and has the ability to unlock tight defenses with his passing and vision. He's very versatile with how he can create chances, as he can drop deep and find teammates in the final third with long balls or operate in the attacking half with first-time passes.</p>    <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/C58MaTOOuAQ/ </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Arana is one of the stars in his [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] U16 team - they will play Toronto FC, D.C. United and Sockers FC in Group 13. Extremely technical and aggressive on the ball, he's nearly unstoppable in 1v1 situations and is a true offensive force for them. He can play more centrally or on the left side of the team's attack and has the skills to dominate the game on either spot, thanks to his ability to beat opponents off the dribble and his incredible vision in the final third. Arana uses both feet extremely well to dribble, pass and shoot, and is an excellent finisher.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Miguel2817133/status/1915383315688788349 </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">The son of former [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] standout Jeff Cassar, Luke is an attacking midfielder in the [program_tooltip program_id='283639' first='Dallas' last='Hornets'] U17 team that will have Albion SC San Diego, NEFC and Southern Soccer Academy as opponents in Group 14. He's the focal point of their offensive system and most of what the team creates goes through him. Cassar likes to play behind the team's forwards, coming from the left to the center, so he can use his preferred right foot to pass and finish. He has excellent vision in the final third and is lethal in set pieces, scoring many goals in free kicks just outside the box.</p>   <p><strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/luke11cassarhighlights/">Highlights</a></strong></p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Vega Velazquez plays for the [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] U17 team that will duel with Wake FC, Breakers FC and Chicago FC United in Group 13. A Puerto Rico Youth international, he's a box-to-box midfielder for them, but makes a major impact on the offensive side of the game. Vega Velazques typically plays more to the right side of the team's midfield trio and is very smooth on the ball, consistently making dangerous runs upfield. He has excellent vision in the final third and times his passes and crosses very well, finding his teammates in great spots to score. The midfielder also makes important defensive action, keeping opponents under pressure and picking the right moment to get the ball from them.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsDsuTI2dP0 </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Koc plays for the GFI U19 team that will be faced with New York City FC, RSL Arizona and FC Delco in Group 13 in Maryland. An extremely skilled player, he can be used on the wings or more centrally, but has been operating as an attacking midfielder, where he can make more of an impact in their offense, this season. Koc is excellent at dribbling in tight spaces, and that makes of him a very dangerous player around the penalty box, even more considering his amazing finishing skills. He also has excellent vision and can execute difficult plays in the final third, creating chances out of nothing. Koc has tremendous goal-scoring ability and is very effective in set pieces.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qw9UEALAOk </div></figure>   <p></p>

The next few days are going to be huge for clubs competing in the MLS Next League, as between Friday and Tuesday, the last spots in the MLS Next Cup Playoffs will be in play during the MLS Next Flex, at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Maryland.