MLS Next U16: GFI Academy top Houston Rangers for 3-1 road win

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The MLS Next League continues to progress week after week as the final events of the season, MLS Next Flex and MLS Next Cup, quickly approach.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PrepSoccer Texas continues to offer unparalleled coverage of the teams from the Lone Star State that compete in the Homegrown Division, bringing weekly content that includes match and player reports, photo galleries and social media posts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our coverage continued on Saturday, when we attended the H-Town Showdown between the [program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers'] and Global Football Innovation (GFI) Academy in the U16 Division at Union Rayados Park, in Katy. Playing on the road, GFI Academy were the best side, winning 3-1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers'] U16 vs. GFI Academy U16 - <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2026/04/mls-next-u16-houston-rangers-vs-gfi-academy-photos/">Photos</a></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>GFI Academy scored their first goal in the 21st minute of action, when forward [player_tooltip player_id='295675' first='Andrew' last='Park'] hit a beautiful free-kick shot from well outside the box into the lower corner. In the 37th minute, midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='349980' first='Landry' last='Dupre'] won the ball just outside his own box, made an amazing run forward, passed it to Park and picked up the rebound from his shot to give GFI Academy a 2-0 lead. The Rangers got one back right before the halftime break, when, after a play set up by midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='321849' first='Enrique' last='Hernandez'] on the right, the ball hit the post coming from a GFI Academy defender and midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='353926' first='Santiago' last='Zavala'] tapped it in.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the second half, GFI Academy withstood strong pressure from the Rangers before scoring their third goal in the 44th minute on a transition play with forward Semi Solarin, who had entered the match just a few minutes earlier. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["349980"],"_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-69e64b1b06c6c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dupre had an excellent performance for GFI Academy, helping them dominate the midfield and contributing offensively with a goal. His first half was excellent, as he played with tremendous intensity and won several duels from the defensive midfielder position, helping create the conditions for this team's success. Dupre also did well on the ball, moving it quickly and intelligently. He was outstanding in his goal, winning the box just outside his own box, making an excellent run upfield, releasing it at the perfect time for Park and following up on his shot to score. His strength and energy in midfield were also important in the second half, as GFI Academy handled the Rangers' pressure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/DXVYeKnESBP/","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"instagram","responsive":true} --> <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/DXVYeKnESBP/ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["295675"],"_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-69e64b1b06cd4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Involved in two of GFI Academy's three goals, Park was their main offensive player in the match. He played in a somewhat free role behind the team's striker and made the most of his positional freedom, consistently popping up in pockets of space to get on the ball. Park was very good at making plays out wide and also at dropping deeper and delivering accurate first-time passes that set up dangerous transition plays. He hit a perfectly-placed free-kick shot to score the team's first goal and moved extremely well to be an option in the play of the second goal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":355595,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0286.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-355595" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["294954"],"_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-69e64b1b06d2e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lares played a somewhat hybrid role on the left side of GFI Academy's backline as the team switched from three to four in the back. He was matched up with the Rangers' talented winger [player_tooltip player_id='261476' first='Kian' last='Bishesari'] and had interesting duels with him, winning more than losing. Lares was very good at denying him the ball and preventing him from turning when he had it, while also making some stops 1v1 out wide. He moved to left midfielder during the second half and showed good attacking presence, even getting inside the box to finish chances.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":355565,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0213_93c12b.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-355565" /></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":"David Pedraza","_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":"5'7u0022","_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":"KIPP Houston","_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-69e64b1b06dcc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pedraza was one of GFI Academy's defensive standouts. He formed a strong partnership with Ryan Quinn in central defense as the two endured the Rangers' pressure for most of the match. Pedraza was very good at defending the penalty box, standing out for his great positioning to clear crosses and his firmness in duels. He also took good care of the ball, managing to move it upfield with safe, confident passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":355586,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0262.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-355586" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["280321"],"_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-69e64b1b06e16"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Back with Rangers after trialing with the Colorado Rapids, Diaz was their most active and dangerous attacking player in the match. He began as a striker and, after not getting much service inside the box, dropped deeper to get on the ball and make plays. Diaz moved to midfield at the start of the second half and helped create chances with good runs and combination plays through the middle, also drawing fouls just outside the box. In both roles, he showed great defensive commitment, dropping to support his teammates and fighting hard for the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":355593,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0282.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-355593" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["321816"],"_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-69e64b1b06e58"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rico offered a strong presence for the Rangers in the center of the field, which allowed them to compete even when GFI Academy were performing better. He was fixed in front of the team's backline and shut down many plays, either by stopping long passes in the air or winning duels. Rico also did good work on the ball, moving it quickly and efficiently. He had a great chance to score in the second half, when he made a run to the back post after a free kick, but his shot went wide.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":355601,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0300.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-355601" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["272284"],"_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-69e64b1b06e9b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Villafano was another important player in the Rangers' midfield, delivering quality and intensity with his play. The left-footed playmaker was always efficient and clean on the ball, contributing to their offensive efforts with intelligent and accurate passing and some runs through the center of the field. Villafano also did well defensively, helping his team crowd the center and force GFI Academy to play wide. He was excellent with his free-kick deliveries and generated some good chances with his great service.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":355596,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0288.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-355596" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->