MLS Next U19: Orlando City beat the Houston Dynamo in Texas

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Saturday, February 28, the U19 teams of MLS academies [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] and Orlando City clashed at the Houston Sports Park. Playing on the road, Orlando started strong on both halves to triumph 2-1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] U19 vs. Orlado City U19 - <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2026/03/mls-next-u19-houston-dynamo-vs-orlando-city-photos/">Photos</a></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/DVgxCGqDp3g/?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/DVgxCGqDp3g/?img_index=1 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Orlando got on the board in the tenth minute of the first half, when a corner kick taken by midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='160400' first='Jakob' last='Garcia'] on the right found forward Logan Tsopanoglou on the back post, and he headed it home. The Dynamo tied the game in the 25th minute, after midfielder Faraji Ramani won the ball in the attacking half and passed it to midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='148174' first='Tristan' last='Cottle'], who assisted [player_tooltip player_id='149383' first='Kian' last='Walsh'] to score with a powerful shot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A passing error by the Dynamo in the first minute of the second half helped Orlando score the game-winning goal, as the Lions won the ball in the final third and forward Toryn Penders converted on a low shot from the edge of the box to decide the game.</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_player":["104183"],"_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-69a89a10d63fa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Amoo-Mensah played right wingback for Orlando and was one of the best players in the field. He wasn't very aggressive pushing forward, but took great care of the ball and was very difficult to dispossess. When his team had the ball, Amoo-Mensah would come inside into the midfield and operate as an additional playmaker for them, showing excellent vision and quality to connect passes. He also did very well defensively, being very intelligent and efficient with his actions to control his zone and shut down attacking plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":351699,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0065.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-351699" /></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":"Toryn Penders","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_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='278190' first='Orlando' last='City Academy']","_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-69a89a10d65c8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The forward scored the game-winning goal for the Lions and led their offense with good efficiency. A physical forward, he consistently occupied the Dynamo's center backs and was very intense and smart with his movement up top, consistently being a passing option to his teammates. Penders did very well in scoring the team's second goal, as he quickly got into a good spot after his team won possession and fired an excellent shot to send the ball into the back of the net. He was also very active and intelligent with his press, stepping up at the right times and making the center backs uncomfortable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":351711,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0102.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-351711" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["167851"],"_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-69a89a10d668c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Playing on the left side of Orlando's back three, Interiano was one of the standouts in their defensive system. He was particularly important on the ball, leading their buildup with his excellent distribution. The defender was very calm and confident in possession, taking his time to assess the field and pick the right passing option. He didn't force things, going with short passes in the vast majority of the time, but also did well when attempting long balls. Interiano also did a fine job defensively, using his quickness to beat opponents for the ball and win duels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":351681,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0011.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-351681" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["340507"],"_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-69a89a10d6740"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Baczewski's high intensity in the center of the field made a difference for Orlando in the match. He was very competitive, covering a lot of ground defensively and being very successful at intercepting passes and winning duels. Baczewski also had an active role in the team's buildup, moving well off the ball to get it from the center backs and move it upfield. The midfielder also showed superior quality in set pieces, providing great service into the box. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["90045"],"_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-69a89a10d68b0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The center back was one of the best players on his team in the match, leading their defensive system and having an active role on the ball, too. A left-sided center back, Harris was solid defensively, doing a good job of keeping opponents out of the penalty box. He had to defend a lot in transition in the second half, when the Dynamo pushed forward and left their backline exposed, and he was very good, using his mobility to track back and making key interventions. Harris also showed quality on the ball, initiating the team's buildup in moments in which Orlando were more effective with their press.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":351705,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0084.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-351705" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["149383"],"_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-69a89a10d67fa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Playing against a very organized Orlando defense, Walsh didn't have many chances in the match, but he converted the one he had. He did well in that play, not keeping the ball for too long and using a powerful shot to find the back of the net. Not getting much service, Walsh dropped back to get involved in plays and did a good job when working with his back to the goal. He was also very active and intense with his press, leading Orlando players to turn the ball over on a couple of occasions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":351694,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0050.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-351694" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["148174"],"_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-69a89a10d696a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cottle was probably the Dynamo's most dangerous attacking player and frequently succeeded in creating chances for the team. He spent time on both wings and also played in the center, always using his quickness and dribbling ability to create space. Cottle made the right choice in giving Walsh the ball in the play of the Dynamo's goal, and released it at the right time. He kept trying until the final whistle and had a good chance near the end, beating a defender on the left and firing a shot that was saved by Orlando's goalkeeper.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":351688,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0030.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-351688" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->