MLS Next U16: GFI take Tulsa Greenwood down 2-1 at home

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.   On Sunday, February 8, Prep Soccer Texas was in Spring, attending the match between [program_tooltip program_id='283654' first='Global' last='Football Innovation Academy'] (GFI) and Tulsa Greenwood SC's U16 teams. Helped by a pair of first-half goals, GFI came out on top, winning 2-1.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>GFI U16 vs. Tulsa Greenwood SC U16 - <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2026/02/mls-next-u16-gfi-vs-tulsa-greenwood-photos/">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/DUg_VYiD8zU/?img_index=1 </div></figure>   The home team jumped ahead in the eighth minute of action, when forward [player_tooltip player_id='295675' first='Andrew' last='Park'] got on the ball on the right corner of the penalty box, cut the ball inside, and finished with a low shot into the back of the net. In the 24th minute, Park made a similar play more to the center of the box and had his shot blocked, but defender [player_tooltip player_id='294954' first='Alejandro' last='Lares'] picked up the rebound and converted with a well-placed shot.   Tulsa fought for a goal and got one in the 33rd minute of the second half, when forward Koehn Lee won the ball back in the final third, drove it into the box and fired a low shot.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match</h2>    Parker was GFI's most consistently dangerous player in the match and got involved in both of the team's goals. A dynamic attacking player, he had the freedom to roam all over the field and used it extremely well, quickly identifying the best spots to get on the ball and make plays, at times dropping all the way back to get it directly from the center backs. He operated more to the right side of the attack and was very good at dribbling the ball forward and combining with the players around him. Parker scored the team's first goal with a well-placed shot in the lower corner and had some other good finishes throughout the match.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/2J4A0112.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-349964" /></figure>    Lares made a big impact on the game from the left back spot, appearing very well on both sides of the ball. He was very solid defensively, being very firm in his actions to win duels and standing out for his positioning when intercepting long-pass attempts behind the backline. Lares had an interesting tactical role with the team, coming inside when GFI had the ball to operate as a central midfielder and thrived in it, facilitating many attacking plays with his intelligent passing and delivering the switch that set things up for the team's first goal. He did very well in following up on the play that resulted in the team's second goal and was excellent with his shot.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/2J4A0023.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-349939" /></figure>    Salinas played a similar role to Lares' on the opposite side, coming in from the right back spot when GFI had the ball to overload the center of the field. He displayed impressive calm and quality on the ball to beat opponents in tight spaces and create room for himself to make plays. Salinas distributed the ball very efficiently, connecting well with his teammates, and also got the job done defensively with good positioning and determination. He played higher up on the right side during the second half and had good chances to score on a couple of occasions, but had his shots stopped.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/2J4A0128_c84dba.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-349969" /></figure>    Cessac formed a strong duo with [player_tooltip player_id='349980' first='Landry' last='Dupre'] in the center of the field, and the two helped GFI control the game. He was very intense defensively, covering a lot of ground and having success in most of his duels. The center midfielder also contributed offensively with his ability to quickly move the ball with his passing. Cessac also stepped into the final third and the penalty box from the left side of GFI's attack on some occasions, providing an extra body in their offensive plays.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/2J4A0104.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-349962" /></figure>    Aguero played as a wide midfielder on the left and had an important role for GFI. He did a very good job of staying very wide at all times, helping stretch the field and create the space for the team's fullbacks to operate more centrally. Aguero dropped a few steps back during the team's buildup to be a passing option to the center backs and helped move the ball forward with quick combination plays and runs down the line. He was also very disciplined at tracking back and playing defense, demonstrating great effort to win the ball back.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/2J4A0007.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-349935" /></figure>    Lusulli was Greenwood's most consistent player during the match, offering them a solid presence at defensive midfielder. He was very active defensively, working hard to stop GFI's plays, and did a good job of winning duels. Lusuli also moved the ball efficiently, connecting the majority of his passes and delivering them to his teammates even when under pressure. On some occasions, he would get the ball directly from the goalkeeper in goal kicks to help his team break GFI's press.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/2J4A0063_cd60a8.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-349947" /></figure>    Lee was Greenwood's most active offensive player, and his effort was rewarded with the team's lone goal in the match. He started playing as an attacking midfielder/second forward and didn't do much beyond redirecting long passes with headers. He was pushed closer to the goal in the second half and became a much more dangerous player, working well with his back to the goal and combining with his teammates. Lee did very well when pressing an opposing defender to win the ball and firing a good shot to score the team's goal.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/2J4A0016.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-349937" /></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.