MLS Next U19: Rangers grind to secure big road win over GFI

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 8, we followed the Houston Derby between the [program_tooltip program_id='283654' first='Global' last='Football Innovation Academy'] (GFI) and the [program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers'] U19 teams at the GFI facility in Spring. It was a five-goal match, which ended with the visiting Rangers triumphing 3-2.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>GFI U19 vs. [program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers'] U19 - <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2025/11/mls-next-u19-gfi-vs-houston-rangers-photos/">Photos</a></li> </ul>   The score remained unchanged until the 43rd minute of the first half, when forward Justin Hubbard made a good play down the right and crossed to midfielder Emilio Balderas-Berg, who finished to an open net to get GFI ahead.   The home team was able to keep the lead until the 24th minute of the second half, when Rangers' forward Victor Marquez fired a cross shot and defender [player_tooltip player_id='16462' first='Lorenzo' last='Lucey'] got on the end of it and scored. Four minutes later, Hubbard was taken down in the box and stepped up to take the penalty kick, but Rangers' goalkeeper Fernando Hernandez saved it.   The stop fired up the Rangers, who three minutes later got their second goal with forward Kaden Martinez, who got a rebound inside the box and scored. Forward Aaron Garcia got another one in the 39th-minute mark, benefiting from a defensive mistake by GFI. Balderas-Berg got his second goal after a quick combination play with Hubbard in stoppage time, but the home team had no more time to look for an equalizer.   With their first victory, the Rangers get to three points (one win, four losses) in the MLS Next Flex Frontier Division, ranking seventh - they are set to play the [program_tooltip program_id='283639' first='Dallas' last='Hornets'] on the road on November 22. GFI have six points (two wins, five losses), ranking fifth, and will also be on the road in their next match, against [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC'], on November 22.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match</h2>    Majano's intensity in the center of the field was pivotal in the Rangers' solid performance on the road. The center midfielder covered a lot of ground and won many duels, stopping GFI plays and helping his team get more time on the ball. He did good work in possession too, finding intelligent passes and delivering the ball to his teammates with great precision. Majano also supported the offense with strong runs through the middle and tried to fire shots on goal, but most of his attempts were blocked. The midfielder was precise with his set-piece deliveries and helped the Rangers get the ball in dangerous spots inside GFI's penalty box.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0064.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-338245" /></figure>    The goalkeeper was decisive in the Rangers' victory, saving a penalty kick at the start of the second half that created the edge they needed to take all three points. Hernandez was constantly put to work and responded well, making difficult saves with a high level of reliability. He couldn't have done any better in the two goals the team conceded, and also displayed good quality and precision with his long passes out of the back.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0043_4ba0d9.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-338241" /></figure>    Playing as a left back, Lucey was very firm defensively and helped the Rangers contain GFI's offense. He took very good care of his zone, playing with determination and working hard to keep things under control. Lucey didn't push forward very often, but picked good moments to do it, taking advantage of the space out wide and making good plays. In one of his offensive runs, he got on the end of a cross and scored the Rangers' first goal in the match, which switched the momentum in their favor.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0045.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-338242" /></figure>    A former GFI Player, Marquez did all against his team, leading the line for the Rangers in the attack. A striker, he was a little bit isolated in the first half, but did all he could to get service, getting on the end of long passes to work with his back to the goal and making runs behind the backline and out wide. Marquez was directly involved in the team's first goal, and his movement in the final third helped create space for his teammates to explore. He was also important in keeping the ball up in the final minutes and helping his team preserve their lead.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0123.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-338265" /></figure>    Playing as a wide midfielder, Balderas-Berg was consistently dangerous for GFI. He spent most of the match on the right, and created problems for opponents by bringing the ball inside to his preferred left foot to pass or shoot. He made an excellent run off the ball in the play that resulted in the team's first goal and got open in the far post to score with an easy tap-in. Balderas moved to the left during the second half and continued to play aggressively, engaging with Hubbard in a nice give-and-go to score the team's second goal in a play in which he showed intelligence by finishing in the upper corner to get the ball out of Hernandez's rage.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0041_9d0a9f.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-338240" /></figure>    Even though the penalty kick he missed proved costly for GFI, Hubbard had a good match for them. The striker used his physical tools very well to facilitate plays and connect with his teammates, getting involved in both the teams' goals in the match. Hubbard showed good mobility to make a run down the right and solid vision to assist Balderas-Berg in the team's first goal and set his teammate up with a nice first-time pass in the second.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0120_aacc6f.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-338264" /></figure>    A central midfielder, Faudoa was very active for GFI. He was intense with his movement and helped the team control the center of the field for most of the time before being subbed off. Faudoa also distributed the ball well, moving in intelligently, and stepped into the final third when he had a chance, attempting to fire shots from outside the box.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0070.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-338248" /></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.