MLS Next U17: Houston Dynamo and FC Dallas even ahead of Fest

The MLS Next 2025-2026 season has completed its last weekend of matches in Texas before the MLS Next Fest event, which will mark the start of the league's end-of-year break.   Like we did last season, Prep Soccer Texas continues 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 Sunday, November 23, we attended the competitive match between the [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] and the [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] U17 teams at the Houston Sports Park. Each side scored in one half, with the match ending in a 1-1 tie.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] U17 vs. [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] U17 -<a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2025/11/mls-next-u17-houston-dynamo-vs-fc-dallas-photos/"> Photos</a></li> </ul>   [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] dominated possession in the first half and capitalized on a Dynamo mistake to score in the 42nd minute. After winning the ball back in the final third, the visiting team had its first shot blocked by defender [player_tooltip player_id='211229' first='Dami' last='Samuel'], but midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='280130' first='Alex' last='Soria'] picked the rebound up and converted.   A halftime sub, midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='211226' first='Sebastian' last='Serna'] tied for the Dynamo in the sixth minute of the second half. Forward [player_tooltip player_id='148174' first='Tristan' last='Cottle'] sprinted upfield in a transition play and fed Serna, who sent the ball past [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']' goalkeeper [player_tooltip player_id='148177' first='Saul' last='Rios'] with a classy left-footed shot.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match</h2>    Cottle was the Dynamo's most consistently dangerous attacking player in the match. He spent most of the time on the wings and used his pace and dribbling ability to make great plays in transition, which ended up representing his team's best goalscoring opportunities. Cottle was brilliant in the play that resulted in the Dynamo's goal, dribbling the ball in the right direction to spread Dallas' defense and releasing it to Serna at the perfect time for him to score. The forward managed to step up his game even more after winger [player_tooltip player_id='338833' first='Lucciano' last='Pagani'] came off the bench as the two combined to make interesting plays on the left side of the Dynamo's offense.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0132_6e3538.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-341892" /></figure>    The goalkeeper had a solid shift between the posts and helped the Dynamo limit Dallas' offense to a single goal. With the opponents having more of the ball, Schorzman was frequently called to action, and he responded well on every single occasion, making solid stops and not giving up rebounds. He was particularly impressive in a pair of 1v1 plays in which he used his long frame very well to take up space from opponents and deflected their shots. Schorzman was always alert, and he was very quick to leave his spot to get passes behind the backline on a few occasions.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0017_442f22.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-341858" /></figure>    Playing on the left side of the Dynamo's central defense, White formed a strong center back duo with [player_tooltip player_id='211229' first='Dami' last='Samuel']. He was very firm every time he went to make a defensive play, often overpowering Dallas' attacking players to win the ball. The left-footed center back also performed well in possession, showing calm and composure on the ball and efficiently connecting some long passes out of the back. White was pushed up to midfield in the final minutes and brought a lot of defensive intensity to the field, while also helping the team get the ball upfield with some nice runs.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0120_a27ca0.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-341886" /></figure>    Fitzsimons played only the first 45 minutes, but was very solid at the right back spot for the Dynamo. With Dallas controlling most of the action, he didn't have many opportunities to get into teh final third, but stood out with a strong defensive performance. Fitzsimons was matched up with winger [player_tooltip player_id='148224' first='Trey' last='Glosson'] and did a good job of keeping up with his pace out wide and keeping him away from the penalty box. The right back also did very well in defensive set pieces, using his height and positioning to get to the ball first and clear it with his head.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0037_cb7b7e.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-341868" /></figure>    Playing one group up, the central midfielder was in excellent form and controlled the pace of the game for Dallas. Soria moved very well to get on the ball every time his team had possession, at times receiving it from the team's goalkeeper and distributing very efficiently, using his skilled left foot to find teammates upfield with accurate switches and long passes. He also did a good job of stepping into the final third on offense and scored the team's goal after quickly getting forward following a defensive turnover by the Dynamo. Soria was very smart with how he played defense, as he used his ability to read the game to anticipate plays and step up to tackle opponents after they dribbled one of his teammates.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0014_50a029.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-341857" /></figure>    The right back was very active in the attacking half and got involved in many of Dallas' offensive plays in the match. Wygant stayed very high up on the field when his team had the ball, helping stretch the Dynamo's backline, and was very intelligent with how he attacked the space. Wygant made some good plays in 1v1 duels out wide, but also came inside on some occasions and got inside the penalty box to finish chances. He also did well defensively, keeping things under control in his zone for most of the time.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0065_f0af59.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-341874" /></figure>    Playing as a left-sided center back, Grimm was very solid defensively for Dallas. He kept things simple in the back, using his excellent positioning to make stops and disrupt the Dynamo's attacking plays in his zone. The defender also showed good mobility to cover his teammates and defend in space, recovering well in what could have been a couple of dangerous plays from the home team. Grimm was the starting point of almost every Dallas buildup play, distributing the game intelligently and finding the team's midfielders between the Dynamo's defensive lines.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0012_06eeb4.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-341856" /></figure>    Aragundi played a few different roles for Dallas during the match and did well in all of them, displaying a solid all-around game. He spent some time playing centrally operated as a wide midfielder, always delivering a high level of intensity and quality on the ball. Aragundi did well in the final third, displaying good ability to make runs on the ball and solid vision to connect passes. He also made some nice runs behind the backline.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0025_c5fc62.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-341862" /></figure>

The MLS Next 2025-2026 season has completed its last weekend of matches in Texas before the MLS Next Fest event, which will mark the start of the league's end-of-year break.