Texas MLS Next Prospects with New Homes in 2025-2026

<p>The 2025-2026 club soccer season is set to start in a few weeks, and most teams that compete in the many different leagues have already returned to work, starting their preparation for the upcoming season.</p>   <p>As it happens in every offseason, some prospects decided to change clubs, be it chasing a better opportunity, fulfilling the desire to play in a higher-level league, or just looking for more playing time.</p>   <p>That kind of movement also happened within Texas, and many prospects in the Lone Star State will start 2025-2026 in new homes.</p>   <p>Here are five players who will be on MLS Next teams in the upcoming season and who could make an impact for them:</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">After playing for the [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] U15 team last season, Diaz returned to the [program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers'], where he's expected to appear in both their U16 and U17 squads. A wide player with a strong all-around game, he has the ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball and will be a nice addition to the Rangers, being capable of having an important role in both age groups. Diaz is very skilled offensively and can create chances both on individual plays and by connecting with his teammates, but also offers important defensive contributions, pressing opposing defenders high and also dropping back to occupy the space out wide. He also does a great job of getting into the penalty box to finish chances and becoming a scoring threat from the wing.</p>      <p class="text-gray-700">Arguably the most-coveted prospect in the academy of AC River, where he featured for both the U15 and U16 teams, Melvin moved north and will be with [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']' U16 teams next season. Capable of playing in different positions, he could slot at right back for them, playing opposite to USYNT member [player_tooltip player_id='210652' first='Justus' last='Jones'] and making the team have two elite players at outside back. Melvin, who trialed with Spanish side Real Sociedad a few months ago, has an incredible passing range and can be of great help in supporting the team's buildup, but he can also make an impact in the final third with his ability to beat opponents off the dribble and cross the ball into the penalty box. He's also very good in set pieces and is a threat in dead-ball situations.</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=nqbtTUE_SIw </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Samir has joined the [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] Academy after a strong season with Rise SC in the ECNL League. He was with Rise's U16 team in 2024-2025 and should now be part of the Dynamo's U19 squad, giving them an interesting option on the wing. Very quick and skilled on the ball, Samir is very strong in 1v1 duels and is very difficult to stop when isolated out wide. He's also very dangerous in transition plays because of how quickly he can move the ball upfield and how intelligently he makes split-second decisions. A lefty, he's very good in set pieces and also uses his right foot very well to dribble, pass and finish.</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=Mp8FSvrDE1Q </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Tovar has left the IDEA Toros Academy, where he played for their U16 and U17 teams, to join [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC']. Since Austin don't have an U17 squad, he will join their U18 team, where he'll be able to contribute with some flair in attack. He's a versatile offensive player, who can perform different roles in the front line and be consistently dangerous. Tovar's preferred role is left winger, from where he can beat opponents off the dribble and bring the ball inside to his right foot to find passes or finish from outside the box. He can also play more centrally, making an impact with his passing vision and his ability to beat opponents in tight spaces.</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/DHJwZZqoeo8/ </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Musil didn't have to move cities, as he went from the [program_tooltip program_id='283639' first='Dallas' last='Hornets'] to [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']. Musil was with the Hornets U19 team and will continue in the same age group with [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'], where he should face strong competition for the starting spot. Musil uses his size and length very well between the posts and is very difficult to beat because of his ability to cover a lot of space in goal. He's extremely agile, though, and takes no time to react when asked to make saves in short-range finishes or when he has to leave his spot to get to the ball first than an opponent.</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/DJkBbycu-bV/ </div></figure>

The 2025-2026 club soccer season is set to start in a few weeks, and most teams that compete in the many different leagues have already returned to work, starting their preparation for the upcoming season.