TX Preseason: Dynamo U19 come back to beat the Rangers 5-2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a quick break in the summer, the 2026-2027 club soccer season is about to start, with most of the boys' and girls' leagues having start dates between the end of August and the first half of September.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Soccer Texas will continue what it's done for the past few seasons and will offer extensive coverage in the MLS Next, the ECNL, and the Girls Academy Leagues, attending matches and tournaments in the Lone Star State so we can follow the progress of the prospects in the state and be introduced to new ones, providing them with the exposure they deserve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Saturday, August 15, we attended the first scrimmages involving MLS Next sides and were at Houston Sports Park, where the [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] and the [program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers'] U19 teams played. After starting behind, the Dynamo came back to win 5-2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] U19 vs. [program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers'] U19 - <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2026/08/tx-preseason-houston-dynamo-u19-vs-houston-rangers-u19-photos/">Photos</a></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/DcHinzvD5DI/?img_index=1","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/DcHinzvD5DI/?img_index=1 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rangers scored early, in the sixth minute of action, when defender Jose Menjivar took a quick throw-in to forward [player_tooltip player_id='384763' first='Ronaldo' last='Arzate'], who sent the ball into the upper corner. The Dynamo leveled the score in the 19th minute after forward [player_tooltip player_id='211224' first='Keegan' last='Ahrens'] was taken down inside the box and converted the penalty kick. In the 33rd minute, Keegan got another one, picking up the rebound of a shot by forward [player_tooltip player_id='280126' first='Sebastiao' last='Nzita'] to send the ball into an open net. Two minutes later, midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='332692' first='Chris' last='Gonzalez'] won the ball back in the final third, connected with forward [player_tooltip player_id='149383' first='Kian' last='Walsh'], who delivered a great backwheel pass, and dribbled a defender before scoring the Dynamo's third goal in the match. The home team improved its lead in the 44th minute, when midfielder Lalo Estrada buried a free kick from the edge of the box.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Dynamo got their fifth goal in the second minute of the second half, when a quick transition play had forward [player_tooltip player_id='210663' first='Maddox' last='Choate'] assisting midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='336810' first='Ekco' last='Yurong'], who scored with a first-time shot. Five minutes later, a Rangers cross into the box found forward [player_tooltip player_id='341366' first='Alejandro' last='Gomez'], who scored the last goal of the match.</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":["211224"],"_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-6a81c973dcdf1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ahrens continues in great form after an excellent 2025-2026 season and was critical in the Dynamo's comeback, scoring twice for them. He was excellent at finding space to make plays on the right side of the team's offense, and in one of them was taken down inside the box before sending the goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty kick spot. Ahrens also did well in his second goal, following up on Nzita's shot to pick up the rebound and score with an easy tap-in. The winger also spent some time on the left and was very disciplined to track back on help on defense on either side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":384730,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/08/2J4A0062.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-384730" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["288461"],"_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-6a81c973dce36"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Dynamo's utility player featured in center midfield for them and was highly influential in the game. Estrada provided great support to the center backs in the team's buildup, moving well off the ball to offer passing options for them. He circulated very well in the field when his team had possession, too, moving closer to both flanks to engage in passing exchanges and facilitate plays with his quick passing. Estrada was very active in the center of the field, helping his team win the ball in many occasions, and did a great job in set pieces, scoring a goal off a free kick, firing a dangerous shot in another one and providing great service in corner kicks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":384710,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/08/2J4A0025_725de5.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-384710" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["332692"],"_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-6a81c973dce5f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Despite featuring with older teammates and opponents, Gonzalez was able to play his own game, providing the Dynamo with good energy and quality in the center of the field. The midfielder moved very well off the ball and showed great confidence to make plays when in possession. Gonzalez was always very quick and direct, consistently looking to get the ball in the final third with strong runs and intelligent passing, and combined well with his teammates. He was excellent in the play that resulted in his goal, pressing a Rangers defender to win the ball in a dangerous spot, engaging in a give-and-go with Walsh and showing calm in front of the goal to finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":384703,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/08/2J4A0012_5c90c5.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-384703" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["337487"],"_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-6a81c973dce83"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">White played the first half of the match and was very efficient playing as a left-sided center back. He made some firm defensive actions and was excellent with his positioning, not allowing the Rangers to make plays in his zone. His timing was impeccable, and that was in full display when he made a clinical sliding tackle to prevent a Rangers player from beating the Dynamo's last line of defense just outside the penalty box. Fellow center back [player_tooltip player_id='211229' first='Dami' last='Samuel'] and him were both very reliable in possession, too, showing patience on the ball to wait for the right passing option to be available in the team's buildup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":384717,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/08/2J4A0038_04e074.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-384717" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":384763,"_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-6a81c973dcea8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Arzate scored the Rangers' first goal in the match and was a constant option for them up top. The forward was very smart in the play in which he scored, moving well off the ball to get open and finishing it with a well-placed shot. With the Dynamo having most of the ball, the forward was mostly fed with long passes and showed good energy and determination to battle opposing defenders for the ball. Arzate was also very active with his press, showing good effort to make the opponents' buildup more difficult.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":384700,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/08/2J4A0003_4175d6.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-384700" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["348064"],"_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-6a81c973dcecb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Baltodano came in after halftime and helped stabilize the Rangers' backline at the right back spot. He was very solid defensively, standing out for his good positioning, and efficiently controlled his zone. Baltodano did well on the ball, too, helping the Rangers move it out of the backline with his accurate passing and then pushing forward to make plays in the final third - he got a couple of good crosses in. He was moved to right midfielder during the second half and continued to contribute offensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":384742,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/08/2J4A0096.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-384742" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->