MLS Next U19: Marquez nets four as the Rangers beat AC River 5-3

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 15, [program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers'] and [program_tooltip program_id='321473' first='AC' last='River'] met in the U19 age group at the Blue Ridge Park, in Houston, and we were there following the action. Helped by a four-goal performance by forward [player_tooltip player_id='16767' first='Víctor' last='Marquez'], the Rangers recovered from two early goals to win the match 5-3.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers'] U19 vs. [program_tooltip program_id='321473' first='AC' last='River'] U19 - <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2025/11/mls-next-u19-houston-rangers-vs-ac-river-photos/">Photos</a></li> </ul>   [program_tooltip program_id='321473' first='AC' last='River'] had a strong start to the match and scored in the fifth minute, when a combination play found forward Cooper Sotello, who fired a left-footed shot into the back of the net. In the 16th minute, midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='337650' first='Adiel' last='Ibarra'] fired a low shot off a free kick near the edge of the penalty box and caught the Rangers' goalkeeper off guard, doubling his team's lead. The home team's comeback started in the 27th minute, when forward Aaron Garcia was taken down inside the box and Marquez converted from the spot. The forward got his second goal in the match and leveled the score in the 44th minute, getting on the end of a cross from David Aguillon from the left and sending a first-time right-footed shot into the upper corner.   The Rangers got the go-ahead goal in the 22nd minute of the second half, when forward Kaden Martinez completed a cross coming from the right to score. Forward [player_tooltip player_id='338653' first='Rolando' last='Garza'] evened things out again in the 34th minute, being taken down after a good play down the right and converting the penalty kick. Marquez stepped up again two minutes later, winning a duel inside the box and scoring with a powerful shot. The forward earned and converted a penalty kick in the 40th minute and confirmed the Rangers' victory.   The victory in their first MLS Next League Frontier Division match gave the Rangers their first three points in the standings. [program_tooltip program_id='321473' first='AC' last='River'] have one loss and are yet to earn points.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match</h2>    Marquez was the focal point of the Rangers' offense and delivered an excellent performance to lead them to victory with an impressive four goals. The forward offered a lot offensively for his team, doing solid holdup play, making smart diagonal runs on the wings and standing out with his positioning inside the box and always being an option for crosses. Marquez displayed excellent finishing skills, scoring his second goal with a nice first-time shot and getting the third by getting the ball past multiple [program_tooltip program_id='321473' first='AC' last='River'] defenders into the back of the net. He was also very composed from the penalty kick spot, converting both of his attempts with confidence and precision.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0465.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-340974" /></figure>    Aguillon did a good job helping the Rangers create chances in the final third. Playing as an attacking midfielder, he got many touches in the attacking half and always knew what to do with them, finding teammates in good spots and helping his team move the ball efficiently and intelligently. Aguillon made a great play on the Rangers' second goal, beating multiple [program_tooltip program_id='321473' first='AC' last='River'] defenders on the left side of his team's attack to get into the box and feed Marquez with an accurate cross.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0433.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-340962" /></figure>    Majano was very active in midfield for the Rangers and was heavily involved in their offensive plays. The box-to-box midfielder took great care of the ball, keeping possession with intelligent moves and turns, and was very effective with his distribution. Majano helped create chances with long passes behind the backline and spent some time on the left side of the team's midfield during the second half, making good plays there too. His set-piece deliveries were always accurate and generated chances for the Rangers.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0395.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-340950" /></figure>    Reynoso spent time on both outside back spots and one a standout in the Rangers' backline. He played on the right in the first half and, besides getting the job done on the defensive side of the game, was an interesting attacking option for his team. Besides appearing in the final third to support the Rangers' offense, he also made some nice diagonal runs into the box, getting his head on a cross but failing to send it on target. Reynoso moved to the left during the second half and did a good job of containing [program_tooltip program_id='321473' first='AC' last='River']'s dangerous winger [player_tooltip player_id='338653' first='Rolando' last='Garza'] while he was there.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0442.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-340965" /></figure>    Involved in the three goals scored by AC River, Garza was their most dangerous and effective offensive option. Playing on the right of their attack, he was involved in the combination that led to the first goal, and was taken down in the plays that resulted in the other two. Using his pace and quality on the ball, Garza was very successful in 1v1 plays, beating defenders off the dribble and creating chances. He was also very composed to convert the penalty kick he drew in a critical moment of the match.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0464.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-340973" /></figure>    Playing in midfield, Ibarra had a solid two-way performance for AC River. He had a major role in the team's offense, distributing the ball intelligently and joining the attack in the final third as he attempted to feed the team's forwards. Ibarra was also very clever when scoring AC River's second goal in the match, understanding the positioning of the Rangers' goalkeeper and surprising him with a well-placed left-footed shot. He also performed well defensively, covering ground and winning duels in the center of the field.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0472.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-340980" /></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.