MLS Next Cup Playoffs: Preview - Houston Dynamo U15

<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">[program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] U15</h2>   <p>Representing the academy of MLS side [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'], the team topped the Frontier division in league play, collecting 29 points with an undefeated campaign of nine wins and two ties. The Dynamo qualified via the MLS Next Flex event held in May and will begin the playoffs in the Round of 32, against fellow MLS academy Charlotte FC.</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/DDfjC-FRau6/?img_index=1 </div></figure>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='210675' first='Marcelo' last='Rossetti'] and Shay Sellers typically split time in goal for the Dynamo. The backline has [player_tooltip player_id='211229' first='Dami' last='Samuel'], [player_tooltip player_id='280654' first='Jackson' last='Bowman'], [player_tooltip player_id='274985' first='Guillermo' last='Perez'] and [player_tooltip player_id='295574' first='Will' last='Moddelmog'] as options at center back and [player_tooltip player_id='210666' first='Brogan' last='Fitzsimons'], [player_tooltip player_id='211224' first='Keegan' last='Ahrens'], Giancarlo Cuellar and Diel Mbadinga as outside backs. Central midfield is manned by Matt Shannon, Ekco Yurong, [player_tooltip player_id='210657' first='Dylan' last='Reyes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='211226' first='Sebastian' last='Serna'], while Fernando Gutierrez, [player_tooltip player_id='210673' first='Alexander' last='Munoz'], [player_tooltip player_id='280321' first='Landon' last='Diaz'] and Deiby Samuel take the wings and attacking midfielder roles. [player_tooltip player_id='210663' first='Maddox' last='Choate'] and [player_tooltip player_id='211230' first='Oscar' last='Olsen'] are the center forwards.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Key Players</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Recently recovered from injury, Rossetti is a highly technical and reliable goalkeeper who is among the best in his age group in Texas, having appeared in US Soccer talent ID camps. He stands at around 6'2" and is excellent at using his long arms to make stops in close-distance shots, displaying impressive reflexes. The goalkeeper also does a great job of taking up space from opponents in 1v1 plays, quickly leaving the goal and stretching his long arms to limit their possibilities. One area of the game in which Rossetti is probably above most goalkeepers is his ability to quickly and efficiently put the ball back in play after making a save, as he often finds teammates in the attacking half with long throws or accurate passes, quick-starting transition plays.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/02/2J4A0005_5245c6.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-278927" /></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">One of the many talented center backs to be a part of the Dynamo squad in this age group, Bowman possibly has the highest ceiling of all of them. Combining great physicality and superior technical skills, he can play hard when needed, but thrives at reading opponents and anticipating plays, finding ways to intercept passes and gain control of the ball after heavy touches. He's very strong in the air, being also a threat in attacking set pieces, and uses this ability to dominate the penalty box, but can also defend in space or out wide with tremendous efficiency too. A lefty, Bowman, who can play as an outside back if needed, has great accuracy with his passes and does a good job of starting the team's buildup.</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/jacksonbowmann/status/1890138407843819975 </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">An outside back who delivers at a high level on both sides of the ball, Fitzsimons starts at right back for the Dynamo. There's a lot to like about his game as he has everything one would want in a modern outside back, combining interesting physical and technical skills and making excellent decisions on and off the ball. Fitzsimons likes to go forward and adds a lot to the Dynamo's offense with his ability to get to the end line by either dribbling the ball or combining with teammates and provide great service to teammates. He uses his big frame very well to win duels on defense and is also quick enough to chase pacey wingers out wide. Fitzsimons is also excellent at set pieces, taking corner kicks and free kicks with great accuracy. </p>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/02/2J4A0087.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-278957" /></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">The Dynamo's main playmaker, Gutierrez is extremely technical and intelligent and thrives at setting up plays. His game improved a lot throughout the season in terms of being consistent and delivering the final product with goals and assists. He's typically used as an attacking midfielder (but can also play on the wing), but has a great deal of freedom to move in the final third as he looks to get on the ball. A lefty, Gutierrez is a terrific dribbler who consistently gets to beat opponents in tight spaces, but he also does a very good job of creating chances by combining with his teammates. The midfielder has also become more effective at pressing opponents and offering more defensively to his team. </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/DIzoanPxCJi/ </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">An extremely versatile and intelligent attacking player, Choate can play many different roles in the Dynamo's offense. He's mostly used as a center forward, a position that strongly favors his ability to finish chances thanks to his calm and quality in front of the goal. A very dynamic player, Choate can also play on the wings, using his pace and intelligence to beat defenders 1v1 and attack the space out wide. He can also help set up plays from a more central role, using his vision to find teammates in great spots, while timing his passes well. Choate is a very humble player, who, despite producing great offensive numbers, will play whatever position he's asked for with impressive determination and commitment.</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=7TCOJIImOU0 </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.