MLS Next Cup Texas Team Preview: Austin FC U17

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The culminating event of the 2025-2026 MLS Next season is coming up shortly, as the MLS Next Cup is set to take place at the Regional Athletics Complex in Salt Lake City, Utah from May 23-31.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The playoffs will reunite the best teams from the regular season, with 32 sides that qualified either via the MLS Next Flex event or league play in the Homegrown Division competing in a single elimination format in Utah.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fifteen teams from the state of Texas will be in contention for the titles after achieving significant results in their seasons. We're now previewing each of them:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC'] U17</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>How did they qualify?</strong> [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC'] earned their spot at the MLS Next Cup via the MLS Next Flex qualification pathway. They defeated Albion SC Merced 4-2, topped Metropolitan Oval 2-1 and overcame the Columbus Crew 5-3 in PKs after a 1-1 tie to come out on top in Group O.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What is their squad like?</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='349230' first='Bennett' last='Richardson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='349073' first='Harrison' last='Roberts-Bardwell'] are the two goalkeepers on the roster. [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC']'s outside back options include [player_tooltip player_id='351562' first='Blaise' last='Iwakoshi'], [player_tooltip player_id='210662' first='Xavier' last='Brown'] and Daniel Ramos. [player_tooltip player_id='210648' first='Clayton' last='Glynn'], [player_tooltip player_id='349076' first='Cruz' last='Garcia'] and [player_tooltip player_id='349828' first='Raul' last='Bernal'] take the spots in central defense. Midfield has [player_tooltip player_id='210665' first='Ryan' last='Diaz'], [player_tooltip player_id='270245' first='Isaac' last='Borden'], [player_tooltip player_id='295578' first='Carlos' last='Lopez'], [player_tooltip player_id='349080' first='Zayden' last='Seyhoon'], Aidan Tassviri and Gilberto Perez Tejeda Jr. The forwards in the team are [player_tooltip player_id='349082' first='Rocco' last='Viana'], [player_tooltip player_id='349224' first='Erick' last='Feliciano'], [player_tooltip player_id='210659' first='Roberto' last='Monarres'], [player_tooltip player_id='288599' first='Elijah' last='Duhaney'], [player_tooltip player_id='349826' first='Luke' last='Garcia'] and Lukka Tovar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/DWep1uqj6Mx/","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/DWep1uqj6Mx/ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Who do they play in the first round of the playoffs?</strong> Georgia's SSA Swarm on May 24, at 10:15 AM MT.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["349828"],"_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-6a077057aab7d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bernal is a defender for [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC']. He joined the club this season, coming from RSL Arizona, and immediately became a valuable piece in their rotation with his ability to play as an outside back and in central defense. A lefty, Bernal has good quality on the ball and is calm in possession, playing a big role in the team's buildup with his ability to distribute the ball out of the back. He also does well defensively, using his height to win duels in the air and his mobility to chase opponents down when defending in space.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":349648,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/2J4A0272.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-349648" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["349080"],"_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-6a077057aabd0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Seyhoon plays as a midfielder for [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC']. He's very clean on the ball and intense with his movement, fitting in nicely in his box-to-box role. He's a very intelligent player, and that shows when he plays defense, as he does a good job of occupying the space in the center of the field and is very effective at intercepting passes and cutting passing lanes. He plays an important role in taking the ball from the defense to the attack, moving it intelligently and efficiently. Seyhoon also does well when he steps into the final third, showing excellent vision to deliver the last pass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":355165,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0139_c20cdc.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-355165" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["210659"],"_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-6a077057aabfa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Monarres is one of the forwards in [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC']'s squad. A lefty, he can play on both wings and is relentless with his movement, keeping opposing defenders under pressure. He can be very direct on the ball, making strong runs when he has space in front of him, but is also capable of beating defenders 1v1 in tight spaces. Monarres provides excellent service to his teammates with his accurate crosses and is also capable of scoring goals either by getting into the box to get on the end of crosses or bringing the ball inside to shoot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":356318,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0223.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-356318" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->