MLS Next U17: GFI beat IDEA Toros 4-1 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.   Last Saturday, February 21, Prep Soccer Texas covered another match in the state, reuniting [program_tooltip program_id='283654' first='Global' last='Football Innovation Academy'] (GFI) and IDEA Toros in the U17 age group in Spring. Keeping a high level on both halves, GFI dominated to win 4-1.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>GFI U17 vs. IDEA Toros U17 - <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2026/02/mls-next-u17-gfi-vs-idea-toros-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/DVEao7TDhvK/?img_index=1 </div></figure>   GFI first got on the board in the 13th minute of the first half, when winger Landon Wallace delivered a cross from the left and forward Gabe Minero beat the defender for the ball to deflect into the back of the net. Five minutes later, midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='349065' first='Pol' last='Verges'] won the ball into the final third, combined with a teammate and stepped into the box to score with a powerful left-footed shot.   Forward [player_tooltip player_id='277893' first='Jonathan' last='Torkin'] came in for GFI in the first minutes of the second half and made an immediate impact, scoring twice - he got on the end of a cross by outside back [player_tooltip player_id='278648' first='Pablo' last='Quezada'] in the 12th minute and dribbled a defender before beating the goalkeeper with a well-placed shot 14 minutes later. The Toros got their goal in the 39th minute, when midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='338137' first='Paolo' last='Martinez'] set up a quick transition play down the left and crossed the ball to midfielder Santiago Abrego, who found the back of the net with a first-time shot.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match</h2>    Verges has highly influential in GFI's strong performance at the defensive midfielder position. He got on the ball a lot and consistently did well in possession, passing the ball intelligently to get out of pressure and help his team set up plays, while also using his dribbling to create space in the center of the field. Verges also appeared well defensively, covering ground in front of the team's backline and stepping up to make stops when needed. He also demonstrated great quality to support the team's offense, scoring the second goal in a play in which he stepped up to dispossess an opponent in the final third and hit a great shot into the crossbar.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/2J4A0115_8ab4a6.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-350968" /></figure>    Torkin came on in the first minutes of the second half and made a major impact, helping GFI translate their dominance into goals. The forward was excellent with his finishing, converting the first two chances he had by showing calm and confidence inside the penalty box. Torkin consistently got into great spots in the final third and had a couple more opportunities, missing one of them as he tried to chip the ball over the goalkeeper and having a defender block his shot on the other. He also did well with his playmaking, dropping back to get on the ball and make plays and making strong runs on the right side of the penalty box.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/2J4A0148_6d254f.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-350976" /></figure>    Dominguez was part of the GFI backline that had a solid shift, holding the Toros scoreless for almost the entire match. Playing as a left-sided center back, he was timely with his defensive actions, producing clean tackles and coming out with the ball on most of the occasions he had to make a play on his own half. The center back also showed good mobility and positioning, always being ready to intervene when the Toros attempted to hit in transition. With GFI vastly dominating possession, the center back got on the ball a lot and was excellent at getting involved in their playmaking, often driving the ball into the attacking half and distributing it intelligently.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/2J4A0097_19b001.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-350962" /></figure>    Hall was part of GFI's strong midfield trio that helped them dominate the match alongside Verges and Pietro Monroy. Working together, the three brought a lot of dynamism and intensity to the team, appearing well on both sides of the ball. Hall had the most freedom among the three to join the attack, and he demonstrated great quality to do it, taking the ball into the final third with direct runs through the center of the field and delivering accurate passes. The midfielder also thrived when stepping to press the Toros high, managing to win the ball in the attacking half on multiple occasions.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/2J4A0078_704edc.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-350953" /></figure>    Playing next to Dominguez in central defense, Gonzales also did very well, contributing to the team's strong defensive display. He was very firm in winning duels and made some important defensive actions inside and around the penalty box, showing good mobility and timing his tackles well. Gonzales also did well in possession, showing composure on the ball and helping his team progress the ball with direct passes through the center of the field.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/2J4A0051_fb3019.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-350943" /></figure>    Rebolloso was in goal in three of the four goals conceded by the Toros and was still their best player in the game. With GFI vastly dominating possession and playing in his team's half, he was often called to action and responded very well, stepping up to make big stops for them. Rebolloso was very good with how he read crosses and went for the ball, managing to intercept some of them before they got to their target, and also came up big with saves in close-range shots. The goalkeeper did well when putting the ball back in play with long passes and throws and was very vocal, keeping his team engaged despite the negative result.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/2J4A0077_8393a5.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-350952" /></figure>    Abrego was one of the Toros' most consistent players throughout the match. He showed some versatility, starting the match at right back and then moving into midfield, and did well in both roles with his solid all-around game. Abrego showed good balance in his actions, connecting the vast majority of his passes, distributing the ball efficiently, and demonstrating good effort and instincts on the defensive side of the game. He scored the team's only goal in the match with a nice first-time shot that went into the upper corner.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/2J4A0135_a62284.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-350973" /></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.