MLS Next U19: Capital City top the Rangers and qualify for Flex

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.   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.   On Saturday, March 14, we were at 1849 Park, in Pflugerville, where a high-stakes match involving [program_tooltip program_id='283624' first='Capital' last='City SC']'s and [program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers']' U19 teams took place. The winners of the encounter would qualify for MLS Next Flex next month and Capital City benefited from the homefield advantage to score twice in the first half and win 2-1.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[program_tooltip program_id='283624' first='Capital' last='City SC'] U19 vs. [program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers'] U19 - <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2026/03/mls-next-u19-capital-city-sc-vs-houston-rangers-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/DWCRTt-js_A/?img_index=1 </div></figure>   Capital City got their first goal in the fourth minute of the match, after midfielder Henry Moreno was taken down just outside the penalty box and forward Johan Argueta stepped up to take the free kick and sent the ball into the low corner with a well-placed left-footed shot. The two were also involved in the team's second goal, scored in the 30th minute, as Argueta made a good play down the right and Moreno picked up the rebound of his cross to score with a powerful shot.   The Rangers saw their situation in the match improve two minutes later, when Capital City's forward Isaac Guajardo was shown a red card. Despite dominating possession and pushing forward, the visiting team managed to score only once, with forward Kaiden Matinez in the 22nd minute of the second half, and couldn't avoid the defeat.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match</h2>    Playing as a right winger, Argueta was highly influential in Capital City's victory, getting directly involved in both goals scored by the team. A lefty, he showed a solid skillset on offense, demonstrating strong dribbbling skills to beat opponents 1v1 out wide and excellent vision to come inside and operate more centrally, finding his teammates with accurate passes. Argueta also stood for his finishing skills, scoring on a beautiful free kick and firing some more dangerous shots on target. Argueta was very important for his team in the second half, too, being their main option to hit the Rangers on the counters and exploring well the space vacated in their offensive pushes.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0056.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-352425" /></figure>    Sauceda was excellent in central defense for Capital City, helping the team control the Rangers despite being down a man for most of the match. He showed great chemistry with fellow center back Juan Flores, as the two were very reliable in the air and stood out with their positioning, consistently stepping into the right spot to make defensive plays. Sauceda was very hard to beat 1v1 and made a fantastic defensive stop right before the Rangers' goal, clearing the ball almost over the line, but was unlucky that it fell right into Martinez's feet. The center back was also calm and efficient in possession, leading his team's buildup with his intelligent and accurate distribution.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0054_178464.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-352424" /></figure>    Moreno's game was highly impactful for Capital City, as he drew the free kick that resulted in the team's first goal and scored the second. He was the most advanced player in their midfield trio and did a good job of dropping deeper to make plays, but also stepped into the final third, as in the play of the team's second goal. After Guajardo was sent off, he would get more into the attacking penalty box, serving as a target for crosses and wide plays. Moreno moved to left midfielder in the second half and did a good job of keeping possession when he got on the ball, while also being very disciplined to track back and help on defense.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0108.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-352443" /></figure>    Jimenez had a solid performance in goal and contributed to Capital City's victory with his solidity between the posts. Even though his backline did a good job of protecting him, the goalkeeper was constantly called to action as the Rangers pushed forward while being up a man, and he always responded well, claiming crosses with efficiency and stepping up to make saves and leave his spot to get to long passes behind the backline. Jimenez also did well with his feet, picking the right passing options and delivering accurate short and long passes to his teammates. The goalkeeper also helped his team kill time and preserve its lead by earning valuable seconds every time he made a save or was to take a goal kick.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0063.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-352427" /></figure>    A central midfielder, Ochoa had a solid shift for the Rangers. He was their most active player while he was on the field, doing a good job of getting the ball from the center backs and driving it forward to avoid their insistent long-pass attempts. Ozoa took good care of the ball and managed to find his teammates in the final third almost every time he got on the ball, keeping the Rangers' offense well-organized. He infiltrated into the final third, coming from the right on some occasions and attempted final passes with limited success.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0030_3e2f78.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-352417" /></figure>    Dwyer was the Rangers' most dangerous attacking player, and most of his team's best offensive plays came from him. Playing as a left winger, he was very aggressive and direct on the ball, and managed to beat defenders 1v1 on some occasions before getting the ball into the box, but couldn't find the feet of a teammate to score. Dwyer was very active, calling for the ball every time his team had possession, and didn't give up on attempting to create chances. The winger also did well with his set pieces, sending accurate crosses into the box.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0113.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-352445" /></figure>    Karim was the most stable piece in the Rangers' backline. Playing as a left back, he had some problems when Argueta fell into his zone, but he used his physical tools very well to win duels. Karim made a pair of very good tackles in 1v1 duels out wide and did well when coming inside to defend inside the box, too, blocking what could have been dangerous shots from Capital City. The outside back wasn't always present in the final third, but moved the ball well and found Dwyer open out wide with direct passes down the line on some occasions.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0086.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-352436" /></figure>

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.

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.

On Saturday, March 14, we were at 1849 Park, in Pflugerville, where a high-stakes match involving Capital City SC 's and Houston Rangers ' U19 teams took place. The winners of the encounter would qualify for MLS Next Flex next month and Capital City benefited from the homefield advantage to score twice in the first half and win 2-1.

Capital City SC U19 vs. Houston Rangers U19 - Photos

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Capital City got their first goal in the fourth minute of the match, after midfielder Henry Moreno was taken down just outside the penalty box and forward Johan Argueta stepped up to take the free kick and sent the ball into the low corner with a well-placed left-footed shot. The two were also involved in the team's second goal, scored in the 30th minute, as Argueta made a good play down the right and Moreno picked up the rebound of his cross to score with a powerful shot.

The Rangers saw their situation in the match improve two minutes later, when Capital City's forward Isaac Guajardo was shown a red card. Despite dominating possession and pushing forward, the visiting team managed to score only once, with forward Kaiden Matinez in the 22nd minute of the second half, and couldn't avoid the defeat.