Texas Standout Outside Backs 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'll look into the outside backs:</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Fitzsimons is the starting right back of the [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] U15 team that will have the New England Revolution, Miami Futbol Academy Rush and Modesto Ajax United as their opponents in Group 6. An outside back with strong technical tools and a natural instinct to go forward, he offers a lot offensively with his quality on the ball and his ability to cover ground. Fitzsimons is very good at engaging in quick combination plays and moving off the ball in crowded areas, but also makes the most of it when he sees an open field in front of him. He's very good at providing service into the box, but also thrives with his ability to finish chances, especially in the air. Fitzsimons also does very good work defensively, using his body to win duels and controlling the space in front of him.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/11/IMG_2163.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-271967" /></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">A versatile player, Brown appears for the [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC'] U15 team that is part of Group 1, alongside CF Montreal, FC Bay Area Surf and Baltimore Armour - he's also been playing up with the U16 team, so maybe that's where he's going to be in Maryland. A very quick and skilled player, Brown can play left back or on either wing, using his pace and dribbling ability to create chances for his team. He's very strong in 1v1 plays, but also makes excellent runs without the ball to attack the space behind the backline. A lefty, Brown has power and precision in his shots and is also a scoring option when operating around or inside the penalty box. He also handles his defensive duties well, playing with good energy and determination without the ball.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/IMG_7631.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-232460" /></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Martey will play for the [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] U16 team that will be faced with the Chicago Fire, DeAnza Force and Wake FC in Group 7. He's another winger who converted to outside back and has become a very dangerous weapon on the right side of the field for his team - he still spends some time in the attack for them. Martey is extremely explosive on the right side of the field, and his ability to make runs on the ball and overlap out wide gives [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] a potent weapon in the final third, forcing opponents to stretch their defenses to contain him. He's very difficult to stop when at full pace and can deliver great crosses to the forwards. Defensively, Martey does a good job in 1v1 duels, playing with great energy, and is excellent at making recovery runs to defend in transition, thanks to his incredible pace.</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/lukemartey27/status/1914822972331974942 </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Schell is a member of the [program_tooltip program_id='283624' first='Capital' last='City SC'] U17 team that will have Weston FC, Ventura County Fusion and Cedar Stars Academy Monmouth as their rivals in Group 6. A right-footed player, he can play at either outside back spot and also in midfield, always bringing a high level of intensity to the field. Schell is most commonly used on the left, where he can be a dangerous weapon because of how much he can diversify his game. He has the pace and dribbling skills to beat opponents and take the ball to the end line, but also likes to come inside to connect long diagonal passes - he's also very good at following plays that develop on the opposite side and coming into the box to finish chances. Schell is excellent from the penalty kick spot and always plays excellent defense, showing a great deal of determination and timing his tackles extremely well.</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=8t1Sm2XZLKA </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Lynch is the starting left back for the GFI U19 team that will challenge New York City FC, RSL Arizona and FC Delco in Group 13 in Maryland. A player with excellent technical skills and great decision-making, he's always very efficient and consistent with his actions, being one of the pillars of his team. Lynch is an interesting attacking weapon for GFI with his ability to overlap and send accurate crosses into the box, but he can also operate more centrally, be it by supporting the team's buildup or higher up on the field, because of his excellent vision and passing. He's also very strong on the defensive side of the game, combining interesting physical tools and great reading of the game, which allow him to make the right plays to win the ball.</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=xjOWTwIqiX8 </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.