Five Texas Midfielders in Great Form at MLS Next Fest

<p>The MLS Next League is set to host its first national event of the 2025-2026 season in the next few days, as the MLS Next Fest tournament will go from December 4-15 in Mesa, Arizona.</p>   <p>Having the Scottsdale Sports Complex, Bell 94 Sports Complex and Reata Sports Complex as the venues, 1,474 teams representing over 250 different clubs will compete in more than 2,400 matches over the course of 12 days.</p>   <p>Many MLS Next teams from Texas that compete in the league's Homegrown Division will make the trip to Arizona, with [program_tooltip program_id='321473' first='AC' last='River'], [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC'], [program_tooltip program_id='283624' first='Capital' last='City SC'], [program_tooltip program_id='283639' first='Dallas' last='Hornets'], [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'], [program_tooltip program_id='283654' first='Global' last='Football Innovation Academy'] (GFI), [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'], [program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers'] and IDEA Toros combining to have 32 teams in action in the U14, U15, U16, U17 and U19 divisions of the event.</p>   <p>These squads feature some of the most talented and promising young players from the Lone Star State, and we're taking the days leading up to the event to introduce some of them. The midfielders are up next:</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Lares captains the GFI U16 team that will play in the GA Cup Qualifier Playoffs, having Beadling SC as their first opponents. He operates very efficiently on the left side of the field, being capable of playing as an outside back or a midfielder and performing well on both sides of the game. When in possession, he likes to come inside and operate as an additional playmaker, finding teammates in good spots in the final third with his intelligent passing and helping his team move the ball. Lares also hits the ball very well and is typically very accurate with his long-distance shots and crosses. He works very hand on the defensive side of the game as well, and provides a lot of defensive strenght to his team with his ability to win duels and make stops.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/DLIKOENuORN/ </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Seyhoon will be part of the [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC'] team that will be faced with Minnesota United, Chicago Fire and New York City FC in Arizona. A technical and dynamic central midfielder, he makes a big impact in his team's play with his intelligent game. Seyhoon is excellent when it comes to finding ways to connect the backline and the attack, moving the ball upfield with intelligent, direct passes and runs through the center of the field, making quick moves to beat his opponents. He also does solid defensive work for them, covering ground in the center of the field and stepping up to cut passing lanes and make interceptions.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/04/2J4A0009_6c35f1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-284985" /></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Martinez and his IDEA Toros team will have matches against Springfield SYC, LA Bulls and Rochester NY FC in the event's U17 division. A wide midfielder, he's the team's main playmaker, using his dribbling and technical skills to help them create chances. Martinez typically plays on the left, from where he can bring the ball inside to find diagonal passes or finish from outside the box - he can also be a threat out wide with his dribbling ability. The midfielder is also very dangerous when deployed more centrally because of his vision, which allows him to feed teammates with excellent passes in teh final third, and finishing ability.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOyJJ_ODari/ </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Arana will be with the [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] in their U19 division matches against New England Revolution, D.C. United and Connecticut United FC in Mesa. One of the most talented midfielders in Texas, he's a U16 player who's been playing up with their U19 team since last season and has even made his professional debut with Dynamo Dos in the MLS Next Pro League. Arana's ball control is second-to-none and makes of him an extremely dangerous player in the final third. Capable of playing as a central attacking midfielder or wider on the left, he's a nightmare to opposing defenders with his unpredictable and creative dribbling. Arana also finishes and passes well with either foot, and is a difference-maker in the attacking half.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGv83qopyqo/ </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Aguilar will be one of the pillars of the [program_tooltip program_id='283639' first='Dallas' last='Hornets']' U19 team that is set to play against Springfield SYC, Silicon Valley Soccer Academy and San Francisco Glens SC in the event in Arizona. A defensive midfielder, he does a great job of shielding the team's backline with high intensity and well-timed tackles. Aguilar also stands out for his ability to read plays and intercept passes and does very well when isolated out wide to defend. A reliable and intelligent passer, he plays a major role in the team's buildup, breaking pressure lines with accurate deliveries and, at times, finding forwards in good spots up top with long balls.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPdFkzUnXpU </div></figure>

The MLS Next League is set to host its first national event of the 2025-2026 season in the next few days, as the MLS Next Fest tournament will go from December 4-15 in Mesa, Arizona.