MLS Next U14: Austin FC rise in the 2nd half and beat Dynamo 4-1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The MLS Next League continues to progress week after week as the top events of the season - Generation Adidas Cup, MLS Next Flex and MLS Next Cup - quickly approach.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PrepSoccer Texas continues to offer unparalleled coverage of the teams from the Lone Star State that compete in the Homegrown Division, bringing weekly content that includes match and player reports, Photo Galleries and social media posts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Saturday, March 21, Texas giants [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] and [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC'] clashed in the U14 age group at the Houston Sports Park. The match had a riveting second half, and Austin capitalized on counterattacks to walk away with a massive 4-1 road win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] U14 vs. [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC'] U14 - <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2026/03/mls-next-u14-houston-dynamo-vs-austin-fc-photos/">Photos</a></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/DWOtxMhDm66/?img_index=1","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"instagram","responsive":true} --> <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/DWOtxMhDm66/?img_index=1 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The match remained scoreless until the seventh minute of the second half, when Austin's forward Ryan Thompson initiated a quick transition play, passed the ball to forward Braylon Marin and got it back to score with a left-footed shot. Another one came five minutes later, after midfielder Enrique Balboa sent a long ball upfield and Thompson got it to Marin, who assisted forward Oliver Hamadi. Thompson scored his second goal in the match in the 31st minute, shooting twice to get the ball into the back of the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Dynamo got one back in the 33rd minute, after midfielder Kevin Juarez fired a shot on target, Austin's goalkeeper Sebastian Gallegos saved it, and forward [player_tooltip player_id='295641' first='Aariz' last='Syed'] picked up the rebound to score. The home team had a chance to bring the difference down to a goal during added time, when forward Ryu Roberts was taken down in the box, but Gallegos stepped up and stopped the penalty kick shot by defender Imisi Amodu. In the next play, Austin transitioned quickly from a corner kick and forward Alexander Kilpatrick scored their fourth and last goal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- 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":"Ryan Thompson","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2030","_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":"103","_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='283612' first='Austin' last='FC']","_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-69c1a36852645"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Thompson led the line for Austin and was critical in their road win by getting a brace and initiating the play of the team's second goal. He played with impressive energy up top, making constant runs behind the backline and putting the Dynamo's defense under pressure. Thompson was excellent at exploring the space in transition plays, moving very directly, releasing the ball at the right times and getting into good spots to get it back inside and around the box. The forward showed great physical condition, too, keeping his intensity level high until the end and making runs to press the Dynamo defenders when they had the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":353150,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0059_53939f.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-353150" /></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":"Sebastian Gallegos","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2030","_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":"100","_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='283612' first='Austin' last='FC']","_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-69c1a36852741"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gallegos was excellent in goal for Austin, and, except for fumbling a corner kick with no major consequences in the first half, had a perfect performance between the posts. The goalkeeper was often called to action and responded very well, making really nice saves and doing well when he had to claim crosses. Gallegos stepped up in the big moments for Austin, saving a PK in added time and making a difficult stop right before the Dynamo's goal. He also showed great quality and impressive calm on the ball, leading the team's buildup and playing excellent passes out of the back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":353162,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0089_0734cd.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-353162" /></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":"Oliver Hamadi","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2030","_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":"103","_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='283612' first='Austin' last='FC']","_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-69c1a3685281e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After having a somewhat slow first half, Hamadi raised his level in the second half and was a big part of Austin's fast and furious offense. Playing more to the right of their offense, he set up the play of the team's first goal with a long pass behind the backline. Hamadi also did a good job of getting into the box and finishing Marin's cross to score their second goal. The forward also did well when operating around the midfield line, using his body well to keep the ball and create space with turns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":353164,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0092_0cfef0.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-353164" /></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":"Belema Kemuel","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2030","_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='283612' first='Austin' last='FC']","_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-69c1a36852904"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kemuel led Austin's backline that kept the Dynamo scoreless in their own field for over 70 minutes. Playing as a right-sided center back, he came up with big defensive plays, blocking what could have been dangerous shots inside and around the penalty box. Kemuel also did well when he had to step away from the center of the backline and cover out wide, showing great athleticism to cover ground and excellent timing with his tackles. The center back wasn't much involved in the team's buildup, but demonstrated good decision-making to pick the right options when he had the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":353159,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0085_b2ce45.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-353159" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["295648"],"_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-69c1a368529c7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Even conceding four goals, Nielsen was still the Dynamo's most impressive player in the match. The goalkeeper wasn't at fault for any of them, and was constantly exposed and avoided an even larger upset with some really big saves. Nielsen did very well at diving into a forward's feet in the first half and made a couple of impressive 1v1 stops in the second part of the match, using his impressive wingspan to take up space from opponents as they finished. The goalkeeper was also a vocal leader for his team, keeping communication active until the last minute and sharing interesting information with his teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":353152,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0065_f7fe80.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-353152" /></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":"Imisi Amodu","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2030","_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='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo']","_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-69c1a36852a99"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Even though the missed penalty kick hurt Amodu's performance, he was still very good overall for the Dynamo. The defender spent time on both outside back spots and was very solid, especially on the defensive side of the game, being very firm with his actions. Amodu was pushed to right midfielder during the second half and helped create some good chances for his team, making plays out wide and sending good crosses into the box.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":353155,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0078_975a5a.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-353155" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->