MLS Next U16: Houston Rangers come back to top Dallas Hornets 3-2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All eyes in the MLS Next League this week are in Bradenton, Florida, where the MLS academies compete against teams from around the world in the Generation Adidas Cup. League matches, however, continue to take place in the country, delivering exciting matchups.</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 28, the [program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers'] and the [program_tooltip program_id='283639' first='Dallas' last='Hornets'] U16 teams clashed at Hickory Slough Sportsplex, in Pearland. The Rangers came out on top in a match of two comebacks, scoring the last goal to win 3-2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers'] U16 vs. [program_tooltip program_id='283639' first='Dallas' last='Hornets'] U16 - <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2026/03/mls-next-u16-houston-rangers-vs-dallas-hornets-photos-2/">Photos</a></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rangers opened their account in the eighth minute of the match, when forward Jean Carlos Cabezas converted a penalty kick he drew, sending the Hornets' goalkeeper the wrong way. The visiting side responded only five minutes later, when forward Moyo Awoniyi got the rebound of a cross on the edge of the box and hit a beautiful left-footed shot into the upper corner. The Hornets took the lead in the 23rd minute, when midfielder Preston picked up the rebound of a shot by forward Jack Worley and tapped the ball into an open net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rangers' comeback started in the sixth minute of the second half, when Cabezas got in behind the backline on the right and crossed to midfielder Santiago Zavala, who sent it into the back of the net with a first-time backheel touch. The game-winning goal was scored in the 34th minute, and had forward [player_tooltip player_id='261476' first='Kian' last='Bishesari'] sliding into the box after a quick combination play on the right and feeding forward [player_tooltip player_id='333354' first='Faesol' last='Owoade'] almost between the posts.</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":"Jean Carlos Cabezas","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_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='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers']","_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-69c954128cbc1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Involved in two of the Rangers' three goals, the forward was the focal point of their offense and kept the Hornets' backline under constant pressure. Cabezas worked very well with his back to the goal and was a constant passing option to his teammates, contributing with solid holdup play. He did well to win the battle for space inside the box before being taken down in the play of the first goal, and was calm and composed to send the goalkeeper the wrong way. The second goal showed another strength of Cabezas's game, as he made a strong run behind the backline and used his pace to keep defenders away before crossing the ball to Zavala.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":353681,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0280_4bd7b6.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-353681" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["321849"],"_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-69c954128cc70"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The attacking midfielder had a central role in the Rangers' playmaking. Hernandez got on the ball a lot in the first half and was very effective at beating opponents off the dribble to create space and using his vision to pick the right passing options and help them create attacking plays. He was more closely defended in the second half and adjusted well, moving intelligently off the ball and using first-time passes to avoid pressure. Hernandez was accurate with his set-piece deliveries and kept his intensity level high the entire time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":353694,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0308_0d61de.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-353694" /></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":"Santiago Zavala","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_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":"102","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Seven Lakes","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers']","_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-69c954128cd54"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Zavala started the match playing as a wide midfielder on the right and didn't get much involved in his team's attacking plays in the first half. He started coming inside more often to combine with his teammates in the second half, and his game grew a lot, as he showed good vision and movement off the ball. Zavala did very well in the play of the Rangers' second goal, making a great diagonal run to get into the end of Cabezas's cross and using a creative resource to redirect it into the back of the net. The midfielder was also very active defensively, always tracking back and supporting his team's game off the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":353717,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0365_83bb22.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-353717" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["261476"],"_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-69c954128cdca"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The forward was very active in the attacking half for the Rangers, getting involved in most of the team's offensive plays. Bishesari spent time on both wings and was very dangerous in 1v1 duels, frequently beating the defenders and helping his team progress the ball into the final third. He was excellent in setting up Owoade in the Rangers' game-winning goal, releasing the ball at the right time and finding the forward open to score almost between the posts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":353701,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0325_3aa886.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-353701" /></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":"Vishi Thapa","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_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":"102","_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='283639' first='Dallas' last='Hornets']","_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-69c954128ce98"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A central midfielder, Thapa was one of the standouts in the Hornets' competitive performance. He was very intense and covered a lot of ground defensively, helping stop the Rangers' attacking plays and winning the ball back. In the second half, Thapa had a more offensive role with the team and showed a strong game, attacking the space well in the final third, beating opponents in tight spaces and passing the ball intelligently. The midfielder had a great chance to tie the match but had his shot stopped by the Rangers' goalkeeper.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":353715,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0363_33ec2a.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-353715" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["321404"],"_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-69c954128cf06"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Playing alongside Thapa in central midfield, Da Silva also had a solid shift for the Dallas team. He operated a little bit deeper and stood out for his ability to take great care of the ball. Da Silva was very good at keeping possession and showed excellent vision and decision-making with his distribution, facilitating offensive plays with his passing. He stepped into the final third more often in the second half and showed good dribbling skills, also firing some shots on goal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":353705,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0335_0a61a5.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-353705" /></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":"Moyo Awoniyi","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_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='283639' first='Dallas' last='Hornets']","_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-69c954128cfce"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Awoniyi played only in the first half of the match, but was highly impactful. He scored the Hornets' first goal with a difficult left-footed shot fired from a difficult angle. Played as a right winger, he made some good runs out wide and prevented the Rangers' left back from pushing forward. Awoniyi was also very committed defensively, always tracking back and closing down the space in his zone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":353692,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0304_7d58cc.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-353692" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->