MLS Next Cup Playoffs: Preview - GFI U16

<p>After over nine months of action, the MLS Next season is about to come to an end soon as the MLS Next Cup Playoffs will take place in Nashville, Tennessee, from June 14-22, determining the league's 2025 champions.</p>   <p>The playoffs will feature 32 teams in the U15, U16, U17 and U19 age groups, reuniting MLS academies and other teams that compete in the league and rewarding those who got the best results during the season.</p>   <p>The state of Texas will be represented in all four age groups, with teams from [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC'], [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'], Global Football Innovation (GFI) Academy and the [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] making the trip to Tennessee to compete for the title.</p>   <p>In the days leading up to the tournament, we're previewing the Texas teams qualified for the MLS Next Cup playoffs:</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">GFI U16</h2>   <p>The team from [program_tooltip program_id='283654' first='Global' last='Football Innovation Academy'] out of Houston had the best campaign in the Frontier Conference in league play, getting 34 points (11 wins, two losses, one tie). Qualified for the playoffs as the best team in the division, they will play against MLS academy Atlanta United in the Round of 32 in Tennessee. </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/DDD8ZAYxfJW/?img_index=1 </div></figure>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='167840' first='Jay' last='McGowan'] and Sneijder Salamanca are the two goalkeepers in the team's squad. Central defense has Adrian Dominguez, Nathan Munoz and [player_tooltip player_id='148228' first='Bruno' last='Montemayor'], while Pietro Monroy, on the right, and Pol Verges, on the left, are the team's primary options at left back. Central midfield has Rafael Hall, Lincoln Foody, Alex Salinas and Alberto Orozco-Sos splitting time, with Santiago Merlet and [player_tooltip player_id='278648' first='Pablo' last='Quezada'] lining up on the left and Kanishk Baviskar appearing on the right. [player_tooltip player_id='277893' first='Jonathan' last='Torkin'] and Gabriel Minero are the strikers in the team.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Key Players</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">One of the center backs of the GFI team, Dominguez is a strong defensive player. He's a tough defender who battles even the most physical forwards and uses his excellent movement to make strong plays in the defensive half. One of the team's captains, Dominguez is very active in commanding the team's defensive system, being a vocal leader for his teammates while he keeps everyone engaged and makes adjustments. The center back is very comfortable on the ball and is often the one to initiate the team's offensive plays with a smart distribution out of the back.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/01/2J4A0062_5b9da7.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-277854" /></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Hall has a strong presence as a defensive midfielder for GFI, shielding the team's backline and playing a big role in possession. He's very efficient at winning duels in the center of the field and also thrives at stepping up to make interceptions and press opponents after a heavy touch. Hall is very active in the team's buildup and does an excellent job of making himself for the center backs with quick lateral moves that create passing lanes. His passing range is excellent as he can accurately send long balls into the final third with either his right or left foot, consistently finding teammates in good spots.</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=6BOM9Q4-OGc </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">A central midfielder with strong physical tools and a very intelligent game, Foody is extremely important for GFI when they are in possession. A new player this season coming from the [program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers'], he moves very well off the ball and consistently gets into spots from where he can engage in quick combination plays, using his big frame to shield the ball and connecting first-time passes. Foody also does a good job of attacking the opposing penalty box and adding an extra body there to finish chances. He's engaged defensively, winning many duels in the center of the field.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/01/2J4A0125.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-277872" /></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">A wide midfielder with great pace and superior dribbling skills, Merlet is an interesting offensive weapon for GFI. Typically used on the left side of the team's midfield, he can be very dangerous when isolated out wide in 1v1 situations, but also makes strong runs behind the backline, timing them extremely well to remain onside. Merlet also gets to score goals with good consistency as he does a good job of getting into the box to finish chances, and also shoots very well from outside the box with his preferred right foot. The midfielder is very committed on the defensive side of the game too, tracking back to help on defense and playing with good energy without the ball.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/01/2J4A0031_6fadac.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-277846" /></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">GFI's striker Torkin is a complete forward, who gets involved with many of the team's offensive plays. He's lethal inside the penalty box, displaying calm every time he gets the ball there to control it and quality to beat defenders in tight spaces with creative moves. Torkin, who also does very well when running behind the backline, is an excellent finisher who can fire accurate shots with either foot and who gets many goals with first-time shots, deflecting the ball into the right spots. He has interesting playmaking skills in his game too, dropping back to get on the ball and making runs through the middle or feeding the wingers with accurate diagonal, long 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/reel/DKa37hyoY8f/ </div></figure>

After over nine months of action, the MLS Next season is about to come to an end soon as the MLS Next Cup Playoffs will take place in Nashville, Tennessee, from June 14-22, determining the league's 2025 champions.