MLS Next U15: Dynamo overcome Real Salt Lake in eight-goal match

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 followed the encounter between the [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] and [program_tooltip program_id='283725' first='Real' last='Salt Lake'] in the U15 age group. The match took place at the Houston Sports Park, in Houston, and had the team coming out on top 5-3.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] U15 vs. [program_tooltip program_id='283725' first='Real' last='Salt Lake'] U15 - <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2025/11/mls-next-u15-houston-dynamo-vs-real-salt-lake-photos/">Photos</a></li> </ul>   The Dynamo had a strong start and scored their first goal in the seventh minute, with midfielder David Herrera hitting a first-time, left-footed shot into the upper corner. Ten minutes later, the hosts doubled their lead, with midfielder Peyton James finishing from inside the box. RSL got one back two minutes later, after Cristofer Mendoza was taken down inside the box and fellow forward Sloan Earl converted from the spot.   Earl leveled the score in the 24th minute of the second half, getting on the end of a long pass and firing a low shot. The Dynamo got back ahead in the 32nd minute, after defender Santiago Alvarez sent a free kick into the box and RSL defender Jace Hille headed the ball into his own net. The lead lasted as many as two minutes, as Earl got his third goal in the match and tied it again. One minute later, forward [player_tooltip player_id='317494' first='Dax' last='Munson'] made a good play down the right, and the ball rebounded to midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='295566' first='Gideon' last='Gomez'], who sent it into the upper corner to make it 4-3 for the Dynamo. In the 39th minute, the Dynamo were awarded a penalty kick after midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='332692' first='Chris' last='Gonzalez'] was taken down inside the box and Munson buried it to confirm Houston's victory.   After this weekend, the Dynamo rank 17th in the MLS Next Flex Academy Division with nine points (three wins, three losses) - they will host Albion SC Colorado in their next match, on November 16. [program_tooltip program_id='283725' first='Real' last='Salt Lake'] are 27th with four losses and are set to face Tulsa Greenwood SC in their next match, on November 9, at home.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match</h2>    The forward came up big for the Dynamo in a key moment of the match, getting directly involved in the team's last two goals, and was decisive in their victory. Munson delivered a lot of intensity and non-stop movement up top, giving his teammates a consistent passing option by making runs behind the backline or dropping back to get on the ball. He was excellent when fed with long passes, beating opponents for the ball and using his first touch to take it into space. Munson also showed interesting playmaking skills when he moved outside the penalty box, showing solid dribbling skills out wide and setting up a play with a beautiful backheel pass in the second half. He kept his energy level high without the ball, too, efficiently pressing opposing defenders.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0337.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-337255" /></figure>    If Munson helped the Dynamo finish the match strong, James had a big role in the team's promising start, getting involved in the team's first two goals. Playing as a wide midfielder on the right, he was very good at supporting the offense, showing solid dribbling skills and an interesting ability to combine with his teammates out wide. His excellent decision-making made his offensive plays have a major impact in the game, and he fed Herrera with a perfect pass in the team's first goal, and got into a great spot inside the box and showed calm to finish in the second.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0280.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-337240" /></figure>    A box-to-box midfielder, Gonzalez was very intense and active for the Dynamo in the center of the field. He helped facilitate many offensive plays for his team with intelligent, first-time passes and assisted James in their second goal. Gonzalez also helped the Dynamo get the ball into the final third with strong runs. He played as a wide midfielder in the second half, spending time on the right and the left, and drew the penalty kick that sealed his team's victory in a critical moment of the match.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0304.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-337247" /></figure>    Herrera scored the most beautiful goal of the match, hitting an incredible first-time, left-footed shot straight into the upper corner. The central midfielder also did great work in possession, distributing the ball intelligently and often helping the Dynano break RSL's vision with his impressive vision. Herrera also connected accurate long passes and provided great service in set pieces. He was also very active defensively, winning duels and covering ground in the center of the field.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0315.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-337249" /></figure>    Earl was on fire up top for [program_tooltip program_id='283725' first='Real' last='Salt Lake'] and kept his team in the game with a fantastic three-goal performance. The forward didn't always get great service, but was consistently dangerous, fighting for long passes and showing great quality on the ball. Earl made the most of the chances he had, converting all three into goals, and demonstrated impressive composure inside the box. The forward also made plays for his teammates and timed his runs extremely well, insisting on attacking the last line of the Dynamo's backline and rarely getting offside.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0245.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-337232" /></figure>    Dorais had a solid shift playing as a wide midfielder on the right for [program_tooltip program_id='283725' first='Real' last='Salt Lake']. He showed nice offensive instincts, consistently appearing in the final third and thriving at getting into dangerous spots to make plays. He was very effective when RSL wanted to press high, having won the ball a couple of times in the attacking half and setting up quick transition plays. When off the ball, Dorais would at times play an interesting tactical role, dropping very deep and making his team defend with a back five.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0281.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-337241" /></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.