MLS Next U14: Forwards thrive as the Dynamo beat the Rangers 6-5

The MLS Next 2025-2026 season is entering the final weeks before its winter break, with matches involving teams in the newly-renamed Homegrown and Academy divisions taking place all over the country every weekend.   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.   On Saturday, November 1, we were at the Blue Ridge Park, in Houston, where the local Derby between the [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] and the [program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers'] U14 teams took place. It was a spirited match, in which offenses thrived, and it ended with the Dynamo winning 6-5.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers'] U14 vs. [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] U14 - <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2025/11/mls-next-u14-houston-rangers-vs-houston-dynamo-photos/">Photos</a></li> </ul>   The Dynamo scored the first goal of the match in the 11th minute, with forward [player_tooltip player_id='319589' first='Lucas' last='Moscon De Oliveira']. In the 25th minute, the Rangers leveled the score with a left-footed shot by forward Daniel Mendez. Five minutes later, midfielder Ryu Roberts fed forward [player_tooltip player_id='295641' first='Aariz' last='Syed'], who put the Dynamo ahead again. The Rangers fought back and tied the match again before the halftime break, with forward Andres Perez finishing from inside the box in the 37th minute.   The goals continued to flow during the second half and Perez got his second of the match in teh sixth minute, giving the Rangers a 3-2 lead. Back-to-back goals by Syed in the 17th and 18th minutes turned things around for the Dynamo, who jumped ahead 4-3. Their lead improved when Ryu scored an Olimpico in the 23rd minute and again when Moscon got his second in the match after a beautiful play down the right three minutes later. The Rangers made another push until the end and had Mendez scoring in the 35th minute and fellow forward Chinemerem Okpara getting another one in the 40th minute, but ran out of time to try and find an equalizer.   The Dynamo now have seven wins, one tie and one loss in the MLS Next League Frontier Division ahead of their road match against [program_tooltip program_id='321473' first='AC' last='River'] on November 16. The Rangers have one win and six losses and have the [program_tooltip program_id='283654' first='Global' last='Football Innovation Academy'] as their next opponents, on the road, on November 8.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match</h2>    With three goals scored and many good plays in the attacking half, Syed was the most impactful player on the field and had a key role in the Dynamo's victory. Playing more to the left side of their attack, he was unstoppable when he got the ball in space, using his pace and ball control to dribble it forward and beat defenders. Syed did a great job of timing his runs off the ball and moving into the final third, consistently offering a passing option to his teammates. He also thrived with his positioning inside the penalty box and was excellent with his finishing, converting the three chances he had.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0081.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-336763" /></figure>    Moscon formed a strong pair with Syed up top, and the two worked well off each other to create chances. He stayed out wide on the right in some periods of the match and was very good at using his body to get on the ball with his back to the goal and make turns, taking it to the end line. Moscon started the match well, scoring his first goal with a powerful shot, and got another one during the second half after making a great play and going past multiple defenders. His runs on the right were always very effective, and he assisted Syed for an easy tap-in after one of them in the team's third goal.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0107.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-336770" /></figure>    The Dynamo's main playmaker throughout the match, Ryu was consistently dangerous in the attacking half. The left-footed midfielder used his incredible dribbling skills to beat the Rangers' defenders and get their backline out of shape, opening up space for his teammates to explore. Playing centrally, Ryu also stood out with his vision and passing accuracy in the final third, often getting his teammates the ball in good spots. Very precise with his set pieces, he scored an Olimpico out of a corner kick, putting incredible spin on the ball.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0030.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-336749" /></figure>    Originally a forward, Munoz was used as a wingback on Saturday and had a solid performance. He started the match on the right and assisted Moscon for the Dynamo's first goal in one of his many offensive pushes - he also fired a shot on the post. Munoz moved to the left during the match and continued to have a good presence in the attacking half, either combining with his teammates or making runs out wide. He also did well on defense, showing good determination and energy to play without the ball.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0092.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-336767" /></figure>    Perez showed good versatility up top for the Rangers, spending time on both wings and also playing more centrally. He did a great job of finding the space to make runs and consistently getting into good spots in the final third. Perez was very intelligent with his positioning too, coming from the wing into the box, and demonstrated great finishing skills to convert the two chances he had to score. He showed good quality on the ball and was successful in 1v1 plays, either out wide or more centrally.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0065.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-336759" /></figure>    The focal point of the Rangers' offense, Mendez was a handful for the Dynamo backline. He was lethal in the final third, making good runs behind the backline and showing solid finishing skills with either foot to score twice. The forward was very close to a hat-trick, firing a shot on the post in the first half. His ability to control the space in the final third and work with his back to the goal gave the Rangers an interesting option to make plays. Mendez also showed solid playmaking skills, registering an assist when he dropped deeper to get on the ball.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0027.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-336748" /></figure>    Okpara came into the match during the first half and significantly boosted the Rangers' offense. He was very involved in the team's attack and used his dynamic play and his ability to dribble the ball to add a little bit of aggressiveness to their offense. 'Memo' popped up in good spots in the final third and showed excellent vision, handing out three assists. The forward also scored his team's fifth goal by shooting from outside the box in a quick transition play.    <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/DQiVu84gBH6/ </div></figure>

The MLS Next 2025-2026 season is entering the final weeks before its winter break, with matches involving teams in the newly-renamed Homegrown and Academy divisions taking place all over the country every weekend.