MLSNext U15: Villarreal bags three as GFI top Sonny G Academy 6-0

The 2026-2027 MLS Next season is officially underway, and between now and June, the top boys' teams in the country will go against each other week in, week out, fighting for victories on the field.   Prep Soccer Texas continues to follow the league in the Lone Star State, providing the best coverage in the region, with match recaps, performance recaps, photo galleries, and social media posts that highlight the hard work and impressive talent of local players.   On Saturday, September 26, we were at Global Football Innovation (GFI) Academy's facility in Spring, where the home team faced Homegrown Division debutants [program_tooltip program_id='349106' first='Sonny' last='G Academy'] in the U15 Division. Dominant from the start, GFI secured a solid 6-0 victory in their first home match of the season.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>GFI Academy U15 vs. [program_tooltip program_id='349106' first='Sonny' last='G Academy'] U15 - <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2026/09/mls-next-u15-gfi-academy-vs-sonny-g-academy-photos/">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/DdxQ8XBDjxA/?img_index=1 </div></figure>   Forward Adolfo Villarreal paved the way for GFI's comfortable victory with a tremendous first-half performance, scoring two goals and providing an assist. He scored the team's first goal with a header off a corner kick in the 15th minute, assisted forward [player_tooltip player_id='381908' first='Hector' last='Vasquez'] in a transition play in the 24th minute and netted another in the 29th minute with a deflected shot.   GFI continued to push forward in the second half and got their fourth goal in the seventh minute, after Matias Gutierrez was taken down inside the box and fellow midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='381913' first='Sebastian' last='Diaz'] converted from the spot. Villarreal completed his hat-trick in the 39th minute, when he received a through ball from defender Gabriel Escalante and dribbled past Sonny G's goalkeeper before sending the ball into an open net. Midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='350183' first='Levi' last='Contreras'] scored GFI's sixth and last goal during the added time period.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match</h2>    Villarreal was tremendously impactful in GFI's victory and ended the match with three goals and an assist despite not playing the full 90 minutes. He was excellent at the striker role, standing out for his outstanding positioning inside the box and finishing skills, while also using his body extremely well to maintain possession and draw fouls when he dropped deeper. Villarreal was lethal in the final third but also showed good quality when he dropped back to get involved in plays, demonstrating nice vision to play final passes. He was also very strong in the air, scoring his first goal on a header and beating Sonny G's defenders on other occasions.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/09/2J4A0132.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-412055" /></figure>    A forward, Galarza played a little deeper than usual, featuring in the midfield, and showed nice skills to play there as well. The Puerto Rican youth international played more to the right side of GFI's midfield and did a good job of getting involved in the team's playmaking, connecting well with the outside back and the forwards. Galarza was very good at beating defenders with quick moves in tight spaces and was very direct with his runs, never hesitating when he got on the ball in the attacking half. He assisted Villarreal in the team's first goal and provided great service off of other corner kicks.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/09/2J4A0006.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-412009" /></figure>    Playing as a center back, Ritchey led GFI to a clean sheet in a match in which the team wasn't really under pressure at any time. He formed a strong center-back duo with [player_tooltip player_id='381919' first='Camilo' last='Ruiz'], as the two were always well-positioned to stop Sonny G's offensive plays and were very effective with their defensive actions. Ritchey was very good at reading plays and quick to react to them, intelligently stepping up to intercept passes and deny opposing forwards the chance to get on the ball in the attacking half. The center back was also very calm and efficient on the ball, playing a big part in the team's buildup with his smart distribution and his ability to deliver accurate long passes.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/09/2J4A0041.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-412018" /></figure>    Returning from an injury, Diaz entered the match after the halftime break and did a good job of keeping GFI's offense flowing. Playing as an attacking midfielder, he fluctuated very intelligently in the final third, always being an option for his teammates. Diaz thrived at beating defenders in tight spaces and showed excellent vision to deliver final passes. He converted the penalty kick that resulted in the team's fourth goal and also did a good job with his set-piece deliveries.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/09/2J4A0107_4aae63.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-412047" /></figure>    Singleton was another half-time substitute to make a big impact off the bench for GFI. He was used as a right wingback and, having three defenders to provide coverage at the back, consistently pushed forward to support the team's offense. Singleton showed interesting qualities in the final third, using his pace and dribbling skills to beat opponents out wide. He consistently appeared in the box to finish chances and deliver final passes and was involved in at least two good situations on the right side of GFI's attack.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/09/2J4A0101.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-412044" /></figure>    Bahena was Sonny G's most consistent player in the match and was among the few ones who never left the field. Playing as a defensive midfielder, he was at times overwhelmed, having multiple GFI players to defend, and never lacked the effort or the determination to make stops. Bahena showed interesting defensive instincts, reading plays efficiently and winning possession with firm tackles. His passing was among the best in the team, and he also took good care of the ball on most occasions, showing calm and confidence to generate space with quick body feints before moving it to a teammate.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/09/2J4A0098.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-412042" /></figure>    A match in which Sonny G conceded six times could have been worse if it wasn't for Sanchez's presence between the posts. The goalkeeper wasn't at fault in any of GFI's goals and still avoided a few more, coming up with difficult stops. With his team struggling to keep possession and get the ball into the attacking half, Sanchez was under constant pressure, and he showed a strong mindset to continue to stay focused while being consistently called to action. He communicated well with his backline and was fairly accurate with his punts and long passes.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/09/2J4A0103.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-412045" /></figure>

The 2026-2027 MLS Next season is officially underway, and between now and June, the top boys' teams in the country will go against each other week in, week out, fighting for victories on the field.