5 Texas Center Backs Who Will Lock it Down at MLS Next Flex

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The MLS Next League is coming to Texas in just a few days as one of its premier events, MLS Next Flex, is set to take place at [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']' facility, Toyota Soccer Center, from April 23-28.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The final qualification tournament for the MLS Next Cup playoffs, the event will feature 304 teams from all over the country. In each of the four divisions (U15, U16, U17, U19), teams were split into groups of four, with the winners of each pool earning a spot in the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The state of Texas will be strongly represented, with 19 teams from the Lone Star State being in the mix for the playoff berths in Frisco - [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC'], [program_tooltip program_id='283624' first='Capital' last='City SC'], [program_tooltip program_id='283639' first='Dallas' last='Hornets'], [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'], [program_tooltip program_id='283654' first='Global' last='Football Innovation Academy'] (GFI), [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] and [program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers'] all qualified teams for Flex and will be on the field during the six days of action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Soccer Texas will be in Frisco during the tournament, following the teams from the state and providing daily coverage on the site and social media. As we prepare for some exciting days of soccer in North Texas, let's take a look at some prospects from the Lone Star State who could be poised for excellent showings in the event. These center backs will be hard to get by:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":"Seth Chiota","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_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='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-69e2ad549d0e7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Chiota and his Dallas Hornets U15 team will compete with Baltimore Armour, Woodside SC Crush and Sol SC in Group J for a spot in the playoffs. A lefty, he has an interesting profile, combining solid physical and technical skills, and is very consistent with his play. Chiota is very strong in 1v1 duels, being very firm with his tackles, and also has an interesting ability to recover in plays thanks to his superior pace. The defender is comfortable on the ball and plays an important role in the team's buildup, showing good vision to distribute the ball efficiently out of the back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":353551,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0222_83face.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-353551" /></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":"Kameron David","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_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'] 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-69e2ad549d1a4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">David is part of the Houston Dynamo team that will play against D.C. United TFA and Vardar SC in Group T in the U16 Division. He's a very technical defender who can play as an outside back or in central defense. He's probably at his best when used on the left side of a back three, where he can use his mobility to defend out wide and his quality on the ball to play a larger role in their buildup. David is very efficient with his defensive game, doing a good job of keeping opponents outside the box and showing perfect timing to perform defensive actions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":340470,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0155_b4db62.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-340470" /></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":"Dominic Salm","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_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":"Lone Star","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']","_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-69e2ad549d23a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Salm will be with the FC Dallas U17 team that will face LAFC, Indy Eleven and Miami Futbol AR as their opponents in Group T. He's played a few different spots with them, such as center midfielder and outside back, before transitioning to center back this season. Salm thrives in the position thanks to his high soccer IQ and spatial awareness, which allow him to read plays effectively and always be in the right spots. He's also very physical and firm in his actions, doing well when he has to defend in space. Used to have the ball in tight spaces, he's very comfortable in possession and strongly contributes to the team's buildup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvSrSCzfHjg","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvSrSCzfHjg </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- 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":"Ty Rouen","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_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":"Hays","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='283624' first='Capital' last='City SC']","_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-69e2ad549d2cb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rouen plays for the Capital City SC U17 team that is set to play against Toronto FC, Bethesda SC and City SC Southwest in Group J. His main strength is probably his ability to defend the penalty box, as he's dominant in the air at 6'2" and also stands out for his positioning, consistently getting to the ball to clear crosses. Rouen also does well in duels, holding his ground and standing in the way of opponents as they try to get past him. The center back is very calm and composed on the ball, too, and often plays efficient, direct, line-breaking passes out of the back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.ncsasports.org/mens-soccer-recruiting/texas/buda/jack-c-hays-high-school/ty-rouen">Highlights</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["355014"],"_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-69e2ad549d335"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dievbiere will represent Austin FC in the U19 Division, where they are scheduled to play CF Montreal, Sockers FC and SSA Swarm in Group R. He joined the team just a few months ago and has been doing well in the opportunities he has had, adjusting well to their system and showing interesting qualities. Dievbiere stands out for his athleticism, as he's both strong enough to overpower opponents and fast enough to track them down in space and recover after being beaten. He doesn't take many risks with his passing, but does a good job of moving the ball without turning it over.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":354990,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0066.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-354990" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->