5 Texas Forwards Hungry to Score 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 forwards will be craving to score in the event:</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":"Semi Solarin","_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":"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='283654' first='Global' last='Football Innovation 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-69e2b8184266b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Solarin will be with the Global Football Innovation (GFI) Academy team that will play in the tournament's U15 Division, facing Lou Fusz Athletic, Ironbound SC and SoCal Reds FC in Group P. A physical and dynamic forward, he can play different roles up top, but is probably at his best in the half-space between the wing and the number 9 spot. Solarin is also very good at the left wing, where he uses his pace to beat defenders 1v1 while also being capable of bringing the ball inside to his preferred right foot. Solarin has a good presence inside the penalty box and is very good at finishing chances, showing calm and composure in front of the goal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":350248,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/2J4A0304.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-350248" /></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":"Tobias Trujillo","_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":"5'8u0022","_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-69e2b81842779"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Trujillo and his [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC'] team will compete in the U16 Division and are scheduled to face Strikers FC, Tampa Bay United and Connecticut United FC in Group C. One of the team's many talented offensive options, he's most commonly used in the striker role and is a prolific goalscorer. Trujillo moves very well inside the box and consistently gets himself into good spots to finish chances. He's also very good at converting them, making good choices in front of the goal and dealing well with pressure from defenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":352626,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0420.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-352626" /></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":"Cooper Nelson","_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":"6'1u0022","_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":"St. Stephens Episcopal","_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-69e2b81842844"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nelson and his [program_tooltip program_id='283624' first='Capital' last='City SC'] team will play against Charlotte FC, DeAnza Force and Springfield SYC in Group K of the event's U16 Division. A forward with good size and solid pace, he can also play on the wings, but is probably more dangerous when deployed more centrally. A Cayman Islands Youth international, Nelson is very good at remaining onside when he makes runs off the ball and keeps opposing backlines under constant pressure with his intense movement. He's very difficult to stop when he gets the ball in space and is excellent in front of the goal, showing confidence to make plays and calmness to convert chances.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrJB-pr5dfA","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=QrJB-pr5dfA </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["286814"],"_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-69e2b818428d9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Martey plays for the [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] team that will be challenged by LAFC, Indy Eleven and Miami Futbol AR in Group T of the tournament's U17 Division. Originally an outside back, he's been playing full-time on the wing now, where his strong offensive skills make of him more of a threat. A Ghanaian youth international, Martey is very quick and direct on the ball and uses his pace and dribbling ability to beat defenders 1v1. He can also overcome opponents by combining with teammates out wide and provides great service into the box, scanning his options efficiently, making the right choice and being very accurate with his delivery.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/lukemartey27/status/2026333482801086827?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/lukemartey27/status/2026333482801086827?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["337489"],"_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-69e2b81842965"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Samir and the [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] will face Inter Miami, San Francisco Glens FC and NVA in Group L of the tournament's U19 Division. The winger has had a fantastic first season with the club and, after training with the senior team in preseason, has now been frequently playing with the club's II team in the MLS Next Pro League. Capable of playing on both wings, Samir uses both feet extremely well and has a very diverse and comprehensive set of moves in his toolbox, being totally unpredictable when he goes at defenders 1v1. The forward also has solid goalscoring instincts and is very accurate and efficient in set pieces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-Q-0mBwOus","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=Y-Q-0mBwOus </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->