MLS Next U14: Austin FC come back to beat Houston Rangers 4-1

The MLS Next League returned to action after its winter break, and teams from all over the country fight to get wins and qualify for MLS Next Flex.   On Saturday, March 7, Prep Soccer Texas was at Blue Ridge Park, in Houston, where the [program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers'] hosted [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC'] in the U14 age group. The visiting Austin started behind, but came back and returned home with a 4-1 victory.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers'] U14 vs. [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC'] U14 - <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2026/03/mls-next-u14-houston-rangers-vs-austin-fc-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/DVmQMLSD1KI/?img_index=1 </div></figure>   The Rangers struck first, getting on the board in the fourth minute of play, after forward [player_tooltip player_id='337380' first='Daniel' last='Mendez'] drew and converted a penalty kick. Austin's comeback started in the 20th minute, when forward Alexander Kilpatrick won the ball from a Rangers defender and sent it into the back of the net. They took the lead before the end of the first half, after Oliver Hamadi found fellow forward Braylon Marin behind the backline with an excellent pass and he scored with a left-footed shot.   In the second half, Austin capitalized on two short corners to produce the final score. The first of them, in the fourth minute, had midfielder Enrique Balboa attempt a low cross that Rangers defender Almounzir Doutoum tried to clear, but instead sent the ball into his own net. Later, in the 38th minute, Balboa took the corner kick to defender Ari Kaplun, who fired a beautiful cross shot in the upper corner to get his team's fourth goal.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match</h2>    Despite not having scored in Austin's victory, Hamadi was the team's most consistently dangerous attacking player in the match. The left-footed forward played in all three attacking spots and showed a solid all-around game to make an impact in the final third. Hamadi used his body well to win physical duels and power through opponents, but also showed great quality on the ball to dribble in tight spaces. He did very well when he dropped deeper to get on the ball, too, finding an excellent through ball to assist Marin in the team's second goal. Hamadi was also very committed, pressing the Rangers defenders until the end of the match.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0112_deac9b.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-352007" /></figure>    Balboa started the match in a box-to-box midfielder role and delivered good intensity and quality on the ball in the center of the field. He moved to his original defensive midfield position at the start of the second half and became more influential and active. Balboa did good defensive work, playing hard to win duels and being very quick to get to second balls and recover possession. The midfielder distributed the ball intelligently, often sliding between the center backs, and was involved in the last two goals after corner kicks on the left, sending the low cross that resulted in an own goal and assisting Kaplun to score the fourth goal.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0080.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-351996" /></figure>    A left back, Kaplun had a solid performance in the backline for Austin. He was very solid and reliable defensively, timing his tackles well and efficiently shutting down the opponents that went into his zone. Kaplun also supported Austin's offense with his intelligent passing around the midfield line and the attacking half. He capped off a strong performance with a great goal, taking his chances in a shot from a difficult angle and hitting the ball with power and precision to send it into the back of the net.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0067.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-351990" /></figure>    An U13 player, Ibanez didn't look out of place and was very good for Austin, playing all 80 minutes. He started the game in the defensive midfielder role and stood out with his solid two-way game. Ibanez was very active defensively, winning many duels in the center of the field, and also took good care of the ball. He was pulled to the backline after the halftime break and continued to perform well as a left-sided center back, keeping his defensive efficiency and delivering accurate long passes with his skilled left foot.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0044_05b699.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-351982" /></figure>    Gallegos did well in goal, handling well everything that went his way during the match - he only conceded in a penalty kick. Despite Austin doing a good job of denying the Rangers good chances, he did well in catching crosses, stopping shots, and leaving his spot to get to long passes behind the backline. Gallegos showed excellent quality on the ball and made a big impact in the team's buildup. He got on the ball pretty much every time Austin had possession and was very good at moving it around, always picking the right moments to play short or long passes.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0005_5159b4.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-351964" /></figure>    The forward had a challenging game, facing a strong Austin defensive system, but still managed to leave his mark. Mendez drew and converted a penalty kick early in the match and had other good moments at the start of the first half, delivering nice passes in the final third. In the second half, when the Rangers struggled to pass the ball out of the back and opted to play long, Mendez's holdup play was of great help, as he consistently managed to get on the end of long passes and keep the ball or be fouled. He also delivered good passes while working with his back to the goal, facilitating the team's offense.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0109.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-352006" /></figure>    A defensive midfielder, Vaca had a steady and solid performance for the Rangers. He was one of the pillars in the team's great start, demonstrating great energy to compete in the center of the field and good vision to distribute the ball. After leaving the field near the end of the first half, he returned halfway through the second half and helped the Rangers build out of the back through Austin's press in some moments.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0029.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-351975" /></figure>

The MLS Next League returned to action after its winter break, and teams from all over the country fight to get wins and qualify for MLS Next Flex.