MLS Next Flex: Texas U19/U16 Friday Standouts

The top boys soccer clubs from all over the country and Canada are currently in Texas, as the city of Frisco is hosting the 2026 MLS Next Flex tournament from Thursday to Tuesday.   The final qualification tournament for the MLS Next Cup playoffs, the event features 304 teams in its four divisions (U15, U16, U17, U19). On Tuesday, 76 of them will have earned spots for the playoffs.   Prep Soccer Texas is following the action on-site in Frisco and our coverage started on Friday, when we followed many matches in the U19 and U16 divisions.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2026/04/mls-next-flex-friday-photos-u19-u16/">MLS Next Flex: Friday U19/U16 Photos</a></li> </ul>   <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/DXjy-YkjrBa/?img_index=1 </div></figure>   During the day, we got to watch nine teams from the Lone Star State in action, with mixed results. These were the Texas players who delivered strong performances in each of those matches:    Saucedo's performance was a bright spot in [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']' 3-0 loss to Weston FC in Group N of the U19 Division. In a match in which his team's offense couldn't convert chances, he can't be blamed for not trying to make things happen for them in the attacking half. Saucedo played the No. 10 role with great energy and mobility, as he moved all over the final third to get on the ball and make plays. His decision-making was good almost every time, and he did a good job of getting into the box to finish chances, even if he couldn't score.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0012_21950f.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-356155" /></figure>    Aguilar was the [program_tooltip program_id='283639' first='Dallas' last='Hornets']' best player in their 3-0 Group M defeat against the LA Galaxy in the U19 Division. One of the team's captains, he split time between central defense and the midfield and was one of their defensive pillars against a very talented opponent. Aguilar played hard the entire time and managed to make good defensive plays, including tackles and sliding tackles. He also had a positive performance on the ball, often attempting line-breaking passes and long balls behind the opponent's backline.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0044_77032c.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-356162" /></figure>    Baroldy had good moments during [program_tooltip program_id='283624' first='Capital' last='City SC']'s 5-1 loss to the New York Red Bulls in a Group F match in the U19 Division. Playing as a left winger, he managed to challenge the Red Bulls' offense with his intensity and quality on the ball. Baroldy made some nice runs behind the backline and also showed solid dribbling skills to beat opponents out wide and take the ball to the end line. He offered significant defensive contributions, dropping back all the way to his own penalty box to support his teammates, and on a couple of times, connected accurate long passes right after winning the ball, setting up very direct counterattacks.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0055.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-356164" /></figure>    Nzita led the [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] to a 5-1 victory over Northern Virginia Alliance (NVA) in Group L in the U19 Division. The forward was lethal inside the box and was on fire in the second half, scoring the team's third goal and drawing the penalty kick that generated the fourth. Nzita was the focal point of the Dynamo's offense and did a great job with movement off the ball, always being an option to his teammates. He was very successful when he drifted wide to face opponents 1v1 and was also very effective when taking part in combination plays through the center.     Emagueu did well in [program_tooltip program_id='283624' first='Capital' last='City SC']'s 3-0 loss to DeAnza Force in Group K of the U16 Division. A dynamic box-to-box midfielder, he was very important in the team's playing system, playing a big role for them on both sides of the ball. Emagueu played defense with great energy and was very good with his positioning, knowing when to step up and press high or to stay back and occupy the space in the center of the field. He also appeared well offensively, doing a good job of popping up in great spots in the final third and connecting intelligent passes with his skilled left foot.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0211.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-356192" /></figure>    Alvarez was [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC']'s best player in their 4-0 loss to Tampa Bay United in a match of Group C in the U16 Division. A winger, he played as a right back for them and stood out as one of the team's top attacking options in the match. Alvarez pushed forward whenever he had a chance and did a good job of alternating runs out wide and plays in which he brought the ball inside. Despite being primarily an attacking player, she also held his own defensively, showing good commitment to the team's needs and game plan.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0245.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-356198" /></figure>    Vargas played a big role in [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']' 5-1 triumph over Queen City Munity FC in Group F of the U16 Division. The most offensive-minded player in the team's midfield trio, he constantly appeared in good spots in the final third. Vargas often made plays on the left side of the team's attack, beating opponents on the side of the box to send good crosses into it. The midfielder circulated very well around the penalty box and was very effective when dribbling opponents in tight spaces and combining with his teammates, showing excellent vision.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0283_d99094.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-356204" /></figure>    Oliveira had a promising showing in the [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo']'s 4-1 loss to Total Futbol Academy in a match of Group T in the U16 Division. Despite playing two age groups up, he was his team's most dangerous attacking player. Oliveira was used as a right winger and consistently found space to explore behind TFA's left back, making good runs there before sending crosses into the box or getting it to shoot or pass. He scored his team's only goal in the match by getting on the end of a cross and deflecting the ball into the back of the net with a first-time touch.     Park shone as GFI Academy topped Los Angeles SC 2-0 in their second Group D match in the U16 Division. He played as a second forward, with the freedom to roam in the final third, and made the most of it to set up the team's best attacking plays. The left-footed playmaker drifted to the right wing when he saw the space there and was very good at taking opponents 1v1. Park also demonstrated excellent vision to get teammates in great spots inside the penalty box with intelligent first-time passes.

The top boys soccer clubs from all over the country and Canada are currently in Texas, as the city of Frisco is hosting the 2026 MLS Next Flex tournament from Thursday to Tuesday.

The final qualification tournament for the MLS Next Cup playoffs, the event features 304 teams in its four divisions (U15, U16, U17, U19). On Tuesday, 76 of them will have earned spots for the playoffs.

Prep Soccer Texas is following the action on-site in Frisco and our coverage started on Friday, when we followed many matches in the U19 and U16 divisions.

MLS Next Flex: Friday U19/U16 Photos

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During the day, we got to watch nine teams from the Lone Star State in action, with mixed results. These were the Texas players who delivered strong performances in each of those matches: