MLS Next U15: Houston Dynamo dominate Austin FC to 6-0 victory

The MLS Next League returned to action after its winter break and between now and the end of the season, every weekend will be filled with matches everywhere around the country.   Competition resumed for the Texas teams this past weekend, after the matches the week before were postponed due to the low temperatures. On Saturday, January 31, Prep Soccer Texas followed the return to action in the state at Houston Sports Park, where the [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] and [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC'] battled. We covered their match in the U15 group, which had a dominant Dynamo triumphing 6-0 after a strong first half, which saw them build a five-goal lead.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] U15 vs. [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC'] U15 - <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2026/02/mls-next-u15-houston-dynamo-vs-austin-fc-photos-2/">Photos</a></li> </ul>   <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/DUONXCNDqxI/?img_index=1 </div></figure>   It took the Dynamo only six minutes to get on the board, which they did after midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='332692' first='Chris' last='Gonzalez'] won the ball in the final third and beat Austin's goalkeeper with a low shot. In the 12th minute, Gonzalez took a free kick on the right side of Austin's penalty box and forward [player_tooltip player_id='317494' first='Dax' last='Munson'] got to the end of it to score with a first-time, left-footed shot. Munson got another one in the 30th minute, after forward [player_tooltip player_id='295569' first='Kenzynton' last='Pierre'] crossed the ball from the left, and it deflected off multiple players before he connected a powerful, right-footed shot.   The fourth goal followed in the very next minute, when Pierre again crossed the ball into the box, and this time it hit an [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC'] defender before going in. Gonzalez found the back of the net again in the 38th minute with a powerful shot from outside the box, and got his hat-trick and determined the final score in the 21st minute of the second half, after combining with Munson and delivering another accurate shot.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match</h2>    The midfielder played a key role in the Dynamo's dominant victory, contributing to all but one of the team's goals and leaving the field with three goals and a pair of assists. Gonzalez spent most of the match playing more centrally and got on the ball a lot, creating all sorts of problems for Austin's backline with his ability to beat opponents off the dribble and find decisive passes in the final third and his smart movement off the ball. He also showed elite-level ability to finish chances, making great choices in front of the goal to convert his opportunities. Gonzalez was excellent at pressing high, knowing exactly when to step up and who to attack, and he helped the Dynamo produce a strong start to the match, forcing Austin into many mistakes in their buildup.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/2J4A0212.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-349522" /></figure>    Munson had a great performance in the striker role, scoring twice and getting an assist in the Dynamo's last goal. His high-intensity game up top kept Austin's defense under constant pressure as he made several runs behind their backline, offering passing options to his teammates. Munson was very good with his finishing, too, scoring his first goal in the match from somewhat of a tight angle and getting a shot past multiple players to get his second one. The forward worked well with his back to the goal, holding the ball efficiently and releasing it at the right time, as when he assisted Gonzalez's third goal. The striker worked very hard off the ball, too, and was very intelligent with his press, generating some turnovers from Austin's defenders.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/2J4A0170.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-349507" /></figure>    The winger was consistently dangerous in the Dynamo's offense, attacking the space efficiently and making plays in the final third. Pierre spent time on both wings and was very successful in his 1v1 plays, using his pace and dribbling ability to beat defenders and push the ball forward. He has a great moment near the end of the first half, when, playing on the left side, he generated back-to-back goals from crosses. Pierre also combined well with his teammates, moving well off the ball and helping disorganize Austin's backline.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/2J4A0165.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-349505" /></figure>    Guerra was one of the standouts in the Dynamo's defensive system that went unharmed and earned a clean sheet. Fellow center back [player_tooltip player_id='295574' first='Will' last='Moddelmog'] and he were very reliable and consistent throughout the match, dominating the penalty box and denying almost every [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC'] attempt to finish. Guerra was excellent with his positioning, consistently stepping into the right spots to make clean defensive plays and come out with the ball. The center back was also very calm and confident on the ball, moving it efficiently out of the back - he made a pair of accurate switches that found right back [player_tooltip player_id='294252' first='Justus' last='Morris'] open to push forward.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/2J4A0126.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-349493" /></figure>    Cartagena was a key player in the Dynamo's dominant performance, providing great stability to the team in the defensive midfielder position. With the team pressing high from the start, he was often left with a lot of ground to cover and did it efficiently, stepping up into the right spots to challenge Austin players every time they managed to break the first line of pressure. Cartagena was largely successful in his defensive action, timing his tackles well and thriving with his positioning. He also took great care of the ball, connecting the vast majority of his passes and helping move the ball into the attacking half.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/2J4A0128.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-349494" /></figure>    Armijo was a bright spot in a tough match for Austin, being their best player and basically the only one on the team to create problems for the Dynamo. He spent time in all three spots in the attack and did well on the few occasions when the ball got to him, working well with his back to the goal and not turning it over. Armijo was involved in both of Austin's most dangerous attacking plays in the match, making a strong run on the left and getting a pass inside the box, but shot wide on both occasions.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/2J4A0176.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-349509" /></figure>

The MLS Next League returned to action after its winter break and between now and the end of the season, every weekend will be filled with matches everywhere around the country.