MLS Next U19: Second-half goals get the Dynamo through AC River

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 Sunday, November 2, we followed the U19 duel between the [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] and [program_tooltip program_id='321473' first='AC' last='River'] at the Houston Sports Park, in Houston. After a scoreless first half, both teams found the back of the net in the final 45 minutes, with the Dynamo winning 4-1.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] U19 vs. [program_tooltip program_id='321473' first='AC' last='River'] U19 - <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2025/11/mls-next-u19-houston-dynamo-vs-ac-river-photos-2/">Photos</a></li> </ul>   The score remained untouched until the 16th minute of the second half, when [player_tooltip player_id='149383' first='Kian' last='Walsh'] made an immediate impact off the bench and assisted forward [player_tooltip player_id='148174' first='Tristan' last='Cottle'], who scored the first goal for the Dynamo. Six minutes later, another substitute, forward Lucciano Pagani, doubled their lead, after a good play down the right. [program_tooltip program_id='321473' first='AC' last='River'] reacted immediately and got a goal in the 23rd minute, after forward Rolando Garza drove the ball down the right and assisted midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='148230' first='Lucca' last='Talos']. Forward [player_tooltip player_id='280126' first='Sebastiao' last='Nzita'] scored in the 30th minute, converting a penalty kick he drew, and four minutes later, he got on the end of a Pagani cross, sealing the Dynamo's victory.   After the victory, the team from Houston appears in 18th place in the MLS Next Flex Academy Division with ten points (three wins, one loss, one tie) - they're set to play Real Salt Lake at home on November 15. [program_tooltip program_id='321473' first='AC' last='River'] are seventh in the Frontier Division with one point (five losses, one tie) and will face [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC'] on the road on November 8.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match</h2>    The forward spent time on both wings and was the Dynamo's most consistently dangerous player in the match. Nzita was very aggressive and direct every time he got on the ball and created good chances with his runs after beating opposing defenders off the dribble. If in the first half he didn't have a good chance to score, that changed in the final 45 minutes. Nzita drew a penalty kick and converted it, and a few minutes later, he got into a good spot inside the box and showed calm and composure to finish a cross. Before getting his brace, the forward saw a powerful shot find the crossbar after a corner kick.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0103.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-337010" /></figure>    The midfielder started the match in the backline and had a solid shift there. Despite dominating possession, the Dynamo had to endure some moments of pressure from [program_tooltip program_id='321473' first='AC' last='River'] on both halves, and Hinds helped them handle it very efficiently, stepping into good spots to stop plays and win the ball. His performance in possession was always very clean, and during the first half, in a moment in which the Dynamo managed to keep the ball in the attacking half for several minutes, he stepped up and showed good quality to support their offense with his accurate passing. Hinds moved to the midfield during the second half and continued to do solid defensive work, keeping opponents under pressure and making tackles.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0069_1b791b.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-337000" /></figure>    Pagani came in after the halftime break, and his presence on the field made the Dynamo's offense more unpredictable and effective. Playing wide on the right, the winger was excellent with his movement and attacking the left side of [program_tooltip program_id='321473' first='AC' last='River']'s backline. Pagani used his quickness and ball control to beat defenders and repeatedly got into dangerous spots inside the penalty box. From there, he scored the team's second goal and assisted on the fourth.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0110_8b63c3.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-337012" /></figure>    Cottle started the match on the left side of the Dynamo's attack and was very involved in the first half, even if he didn't have a great chance to score. His movement was interesting, as he attempted to come from the left to the center when engaging in combination plays, mostly with Nzita. Cottle showed good presence inside the box, scoring the team's first goal in an important moment during the second half, and had a couple of other good chances - in one, his shot went slightly wide, and in the other, an [program_tooltip program_id='321473' first='AC' last='River'] cleared the ball when it was about to go in. He moved to midfield during the second half and did well with his distribution, helping the Dynamo explore the space available in the final third.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0075.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-337004" /></figure>    A right winger, Garza had a solid performance and was a constant threat to the Dynamo's backline. He had an interesting battle with left back Zach White and used his pace and dribbling to make some good plays on the right. Garza was involved in each of [program_tooltip program_id='321473' first='AC' last='River']'s best offensive plays in the match, firing a shot that hit the crossbar, scoring a goal that was called off due to an offside, and assisting Talos in the team's goal. He also showed good determination and discipline to play off the ball, helping his team on defense and pressing the Dynamo's defenders.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0073.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-337002" /></figure>    Talos was subbed in after the halftime break, and his game made [program_tooltip program_id='321473' first='AC' last='River']'s offense more structured and fluid. If in the first half the team from San Antonio insisted on playing long, in the final 45 minutes, they found in him an efficient playmaker, who moved the ball intelligently in the center of the field. Talos was excellent at creating space with first-time passes and moved well in the final third, appearing in good spots to attempt final passes. He scored the team's goal in the match with a beautiful and difficult shot, hitting the ball first-time with power and precision after Garza's pass.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0074.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-337003" /></figure>    The center back was very good in the first half of the match, leading [program_tooltip program_id='321473' first='AC' last='River']'s defensive efforts. Ibarra made some nice defensive plays inside and around the penalty box that helped his team keep the Dynamo scoreless. With [program_tooltip program_id='321473' first='AC' last='River'] trying to play long, the left-footed center back was in charge of launching long balls out of the back, and he did a good job with it, finding teammates with accurate passes. The team's backline's level dropped in the second half, allowing the Dynamo to score four goals, but Ibarra still had good moments, saving what would have been a goal from Cottle when the ball had already made it past the goalkeeper and almost scoring off a free kick.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0001_8c7049.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-336979" /></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.