5 Texas Outside Backs Ready to Deliver 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. Today, we'll look into the outside backs who could make a big impact in their teams' campaigns:</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":"William McPherson","_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='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-69e2a9825f5c4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McPherson plays for [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC'], and his team is set to face Strikers FC, Tampa Bay United and Connecticut United FC in the U16 Division Pool C. Also capable of playing in central defense, the right back combines solid physical and technical skills and is very well-rounded and consistent. McPherson is a very strong defender who typically holds his own against talented wingers when isolated 1v1, keeping them away from the penalty box. He also contributes offensively, passing the ball intelligently in the attacking half and occasionally getting into the box to finish chances.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":352582,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0304_6edb92.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-352582" /></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":"Arjun Dasgupta","_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='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-69e2a9825f6cb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dasgupta is part of the [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] team that is scheduled to face The Town FC, Queen City Mutiny FC and TSF Academy in the event's U16 Division - Group F. A reliable two-way right back, he brings some stability and balance to a very talented offensive team with his ability to get the job done on both sides of the ball. Dasgupta is very reliable defensively, showing excellent spatial awareness to defend his zone and impeccable timing with his defensive actions. He's not asked to push forward very often, but has the quality to do it at a high level, intelligently attacking the space in front of him and delivering accurate crosses into the box.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":353062,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0120_6d9d73.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-353062" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["210677"],"_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-69e2a9825f736"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Salinas is one of the captains in the GFI team that will have the New York Red Bulls, Orlando City Youth SC and Los Angeles SC as their Group D rivals in the U16 Division. One of the team's most technical and intelligent players, he makes a big impact in their play from the right back spot. Originally a center midfielder, Salinas moved to right back fairly recently and, because of his background and vision, often comes inside from the wing to use his playmaking ability to create chances. Besides passing the ball extremely well and having excellent vision, the Peruvian youth international also stands out for his ability to beat opponents off the dribble in tight spaces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HT_B9XWUGc8","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=HT_B9XWUGc8 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["12630"],"_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-69e2a9825f78e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Whyte is with the [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] and will compete in the U19 Division, where his team will face Inter Miami, San Francisco Glens FC and NVA in Group L. In his first season with the club, Whyte has managed to bring versatility and consistency to the team. He's been mostly used at right back, but can also play on the left and in central midfield, showing a well-rounded and competitive game to deliver in each of these spots. Whyte has good technical quality, being capable of delivering accurate passes and making plays in crowded areas, and is very determined and reliable defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":337017,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/2J4A0133.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-337017" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] U19 vs. [program_tooltip program_id='321473' first='AC' last='River'] U19</figcaption></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":"Jordan Rodriguez","_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":"6'0u0022","_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='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-69e2a9825f829"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rodriguez is part of the [program_tooltip program_id='283624' first='Capital' last='City SC'] team that will be faced with the New York Red Bulls, Sacramento United and Wake FC in Group F of the U19 Division. A winger converted into left back, he has a strong offensive game and is a key piece in their attacking system. Rodriguez has a great pace and solid quality on the ball and often creates chances on the left side of the field, either by beating opponents 1v1 or combining with his teammates. A six-footer, he uses his body well to defend his zone, coming out on top in duels and making strong defensive plays out wide.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":352422,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0051.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-352422" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->