5 Texas Midfielders Who Can Decide Matches at MLS Next Flex

<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>   <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>   <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>   <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. This time, our focus will be on the midfielders who have game-changing ability:</p>    <p>Zaragoza will be with the Houston Rangers U15 team that will play against NEFC, RSL Arizona and SSA Swarm in Group C. A defensive midfielder with excellent vision and superior technical skills, he's one of the pillars of the team, providing quality and consistency in the center of the field. Zaragoza is very active defensively, benefiting from his excellent positioning to dispossess opponents and win duels. He's probably even more important to his team in possession, maneuvering the ball in crowded areas to create space and playing intelligent passes that help set up attacking plays.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0120_8e359a.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-342099" /></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Diaz captains the Austin FC team that will play in the U17 Division, having the Columbus Crew, Albion SC Merced and MetOval as their rivals in Group O. A versatile player, he can be used at the defensive midfielder spot or in the backline and is typically very consistent with his performances. Diaz is a reliable defender who pops up in great spots to tackle opponents and can cover a lot of ground, showing superior mobility. He's very comfortable on the ball, too, always making himself available to initiate the team's buildup with intelligent distribution out of the back.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0171_c2d79a.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-355181" /></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Aragundi will help FC Dallas in their matches against LAFC, Indy Eleven and Miami Futbol AR in Group T in the U17 Division. A dynamic and versatile midfielder, he has a solid all-around game and can play different roles for the team at a high level. Aragundi is very strong in possession and his ability to move the ball with direct, intelligent passes makes him thrive when used in central midfield. Aragundi can also play wide, either as a midfielder or a winger, and be a threat to opposing outside backs with his creative dribbling and his ability to make plays.</p>    <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/DVyvz4kjnmG/ </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Verges plays for the GFI Academy team that will have matches against Nashville SC, Inter Miami and RFA in Group Q of the U17 Division. A lefty, he's extremely technical and pulls the strings for the team from the center midfielder position. Verges has excellent vision and tremendous quality on the ball, consistently making the right choices with his distribution and finding teammates in great spots in the attacking half. Also very good with his set-piece deliveries, he is very active defensively, patrolling the center of the field and showing good energy to win duels.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/2J4A0115_8ab4a6.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-350968" /></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Inojosa will be with the Houston Dynamo in the U19 Division, where they will play Inter Miami, San Francisco Glens FC and NVA in Group L. A central midfielder, he has a very mature and efficient game, aligned with his impressive international experiences, which include captaining El Salvador at last year's FIFA U17 World Cup and recently going on trial with teams in Spain. Inojosa is technical and has excellent vision, and plays a big role in organizing the team's offense with his intelligent distribution and accurate passing. He's also very intense when it comes to covering ground and playing defense, and is capable of playing deeper as a defensive midfielder.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrJCEJOJBhs </div></figure>

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 FC Dallas ' facility, Toyota Soccer Center, from April 23-28.