Five Texas Outside Backs with Big Potential at MLS Next Fest

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <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> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <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> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <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> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <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. Today, we focus on the outside backs:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Noah Treadwell","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"101","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6927bfae83c5e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Treadwell and his [program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers'] team will be involved in the Generation Adidas Cup Qualifier Playoff in the U15 division, having Springfield SYC as their first opponents. A left back, he's one of their most talented players and adds a lot to his team going forward. Treadwell has superior technical skills and moves very well off the ball, consistently being a passing option in the attacking half. He also hits the ball extremely well with his skilled left foot, being capable of delivering accurate long passes, sending well-placed crosses into the box from basically anywhere in the attacking half, and creating goalscoring opportunities off set pieces. Despite not being very big or physical, he competes very well defensively, playing aggressively and with great determination.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":333215,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/2J4A0046.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-333215" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["210662"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692647079702c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brown will be with [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC'] in their matches against Minnesota United, Chicago Fire and New York City FC in the U17 division in Arizona. One of the top outside backs in his age group, he's an interesting attacking weapon for his team. Brown is very offensive-minded and does a great job of staying wide and creating space inside for his teammates to explore. Very fast and aggressive on the ball, he's extremely strong off the dribble and can be very difficult to stop when he takes the ball down the left flank. Brown also plays as a winger, preferably on the right, and typically creates problems when he brings the ball inside to finish with his left foot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":321133,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/2J4A0130.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-321133" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Pierce Le Denmat","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"101","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='283654' first='Global' last='Football Innovation Academy']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69264707970d5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Le Denmat plays for the GFI U17 team that will be faced with FC Bay Area Surf, Albion SC Los Angeles and Orlando City Youth SC in Mesa. He recently joined the club after playing for the [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] academy and is an interesting option for them at the left back spot. An offensive-minded player, he's at his best when used as a wingback, with plenty of freedom to push forward and join the attack. Le Denmat's offensive game stands out for his intelligence on the ball and well-polished technical skills, which allow him to deliver accurate crosses and passes, even when under pressure. He also does well defensively, reading plays efficiently to get interceptions and using his body intelligently to win duels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWdoZuaCwfM","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <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=EWdoZuaCwfM </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["88470"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692647079712f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Molomo will be with [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] in their matches against the Columbus Crew, Chicago Fire and FC Cincinnati in the U19 division. He got some playing time with Dallas' affiliate North Texas SC in the MLS Next Pro League last season and should be among their top players making the trip to Arizona. A left back, Molomo has a rare combination of physical and technical skills, which makes of him a true two-way player. Defensively, he stands out for timing his sliding tackles extremely well and using his athleticism to recover in transition plays. When on the ball, Molomo diversifies a lot, making plays out wide and coming inside to contribute with his passing - he's also a threat in the air in set pieces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cti-uAX2b5k","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <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=Cti-uAX2b5k </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jones Ferguson","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"101","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Boerne-Champion","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='321473' first='AC' last='River']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6926470797229"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ferguson plays for the [program_tooltip program_id='321473' first='AC' last='River'] team that is scheduled to go against FA Euro New York, Bethesda SC and Downtown United Soccer Club in the U19 division of the event. Originally a wide attacking midfielder, he was converted to right back and has adjusted well in the new position. Despite his attacking background, Ferguson has solid defensive instincts and does a good job of controlling his zone with intelligent positioning and good determination to work off the ball. He's very clean and efficient on the ball, not keeping it for too long before finding a teammate in a good spot, and is accurate with his crosses and shots, being capable of making things happen when he steps into the final third.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0YIgcaw0dM","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <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=K0YIgcaw0dM </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->