MLS Next U17: Houston Rangers fight back and tie FC Dallas 3-3

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The MLS Next 2025-2026 season kicked off last month, with matches involving teams in the newly-renamed Homegrown and Academy divisions taking place all over the country after a two-month break following the 2024-2025 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like we did last season, Prep Soccer Texas will continue to follow the teams from the Lone Star State throughout the season, covering matches and producing photos, articles and social media posts of the duels involving the most talented players from the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Sunday, October 5, we were at the Blue Ridge Park, in Houston, where the U17 teams of the [program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers'] and [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] battled. The visiting side built a 3-1 lead in the second half, but the hosts fought back and managed to get a 3-3 tie with a pair of late goals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers'] U17 vs. [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] U17 - <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2025/10/mls-next-u17-houston-rangers-vs-fc-dallas-photos/">Photos</a></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] got the first goal of the match in the 17th minute of the first half, when forward Austin Chukwu was taken down inside the box and converted the penalty kick with calm and confidence. The Rangers pushed back and leveled the score in the 31st minute, after outside back Noah Baltondano got to the end line and made a low cross, forward Ronaldo Arzate touched it and winger [player_tooltip player_id='148816' first='Kade' last='Taylor'] fired a powerful shot that went underneath [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']' goalkeeper [player_tooltip player_id='148177' first='Saul' last='Rios'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the first minute of the second half, [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] forward [player_tooltip player_id='148224' first='Trey' last='Glosson'] took advantage of a defensive mistake by the Rangers to put his team ahead. The visiting team improved their lead to 3-1 in the 12th minute, when a shot from midfielder Erick Vargas deflected off a Rangers' defender and forward Diego Echevarria redirected it into the back of the net with his head.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rangers pushed forward, but could only find their goals in the final minutes. In the 36th minute, they won possession inside [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']' penalty box and midfielder Jeremiah Frederich buried it. Their tying goal came in overtime, when defender Xavi Salguero sent a free kick into the box and midfielder Roy Montiel headed it into he upper corner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The tie in their opening match gave both teams their first points in the MLS Next League standings in the Frontier Division. The Rangers will play [program_tooltip program_id='321473' first='AC' last='River'] at home on November 15, while Dallas host IDEA Toros on October 26.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Noah Baltondano","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"102","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Episcopal","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68e452aa89afe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Playing as a right back, Baltondano was one of the main offensive options for the Rangers during the match. He was excellent at reading the space in front of him and consistently appeared in great spots in the final third, having initiated the play that led to the team's first goal. Baltondano was also very solid defensively, making good plays in his own half and controlling [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']' plays in his zone. He moved to his original right midfielder position during the second half and continued to make an impact, having created a great chance for his team by pressing a defender and winning the ball just outside the penalty box, but they couldn't capitalize on it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":333515,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/2J4A0100.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-333515" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Roy Montiel","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"102","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Langham Creek","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68e452aa89bbd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A wide midfielder, Montiel had a solid all-around performance, delivering on both sides of the ball for the Rangers. He started the game on the right and combined very well with Baltondano offensively, coming inside to generate space for the right back and feeding him with good passes. His ability to drop back and provide defensive support was also of great value for the Rangers, who controlled [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']' attempts in wide spots for most of the time. Montiel moved to the left during the second half and continued to play with great intensity. Despite not being tall, he found the ball after a free kick and scored his team's third goal with a header right before the final whistle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":333500,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/2J4A0029.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-333500" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Robertt Heredia","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"101","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Cypress Springs","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68e452aa89c7f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A left-sided center back, Heredia anchored the Rangers' backline, being the only starter in the team's defensive system to complete the match. He was extremely reliable with his play and had good success when stopping [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']' attacking attempts. Heredia used his size to intercept long passes and did a good job of denying opposing forwards space when they had the ball. The center back also played efficiently in possession, making good choices when he had the ball and connecting long passes out of the back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":333517,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/2J4A0103.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-333517" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Austin Chukwu","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"103","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68e452aa89d3a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Chukwu started the match in central midfield and was [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']' most active player in the first half, performing the task of taking the ball into the final third with tremendous efficiency. His ability to drive the ball through the middle generated some chances for his team, most notably with him drawing the penalty kick that he converted to get his team on the board. Chukwu was very creative and crafty every time he got on the ball, playing some nice first-time passes and often using his first touch to create separation from defenders. He kept his intensity level high until the end and was moved to the right wing in the second half, creating some chances in 1v1 plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":333514,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/2J4A0097_33ea28.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-333514" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Ninor Olu","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"101","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68e452aa89df3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Originally a center back, Olu started the match in central midfield and his ability to cover ground and keep opponents under pressure helped [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] regain possession on many occasions. He moved to the backline in the second half, playing on the left of his team's back three, and helped contain Baltondano's pushes there, using his athleticism to make stops out wide. Olu also defended the penalty box well, showing good positioning and timing his tackles well. The left-footed defender was very calm and confident in possession too, supporting the team's buildup out of the back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":333501,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/2J4A0037.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-333501" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["148810"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68e452aa89e5f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Drygas had a very solid shift playing in the center of [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']' back three. Except for a play in which he lost the timing of the ball and stopped it with his hands, he made no mistakes in central defense, transmitting a lot of confidence to his team. Drygas did good work in possession too, showing patience to move the ball and confidence to attempt long passes when he saw an opportunity, like the one that resulted in the team's second goal. He was taken off before the Rangers' comeback, and his absence disorganized [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']' backline.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":333525,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/2J4A0134.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-333525" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->