Three Houston Rangers Players to Watch in the MLS Next Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just over two months after completing its 2025-2026 season, the MLS Next League returned to action this past weekend, with the first games of 2026-2027 taking place all over the country.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For another season, Prep Soccer Texas will be following the league closely and providing wide coverage of the Lone Star State prospects, which will include match reports, player analysis and photo galleries.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the season just starting, we'd like to highlight a few players from each Texas team who could be set for strong performances. These three are among the most promising players to feature for the [program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["381904"],"_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-6a95fca1161b3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McHugh is part of the [program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers'] U15 team. A dynamic and hard-working defensive midfielder, he has a big role in the team with his ability to cover ground and make stops in the center of the field. McHugh is very smooth and clean on the ball, too, and gets very involved when his team has possession, helping move it upfield with intelligent passes. He likes to step into the final third when he sees an opportunity to do it, and can be a threat with his ability to finish from outside the box.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/DRFaeQ9kcQ3/?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/DRFaeQ9kcQ3/?img_index=1 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["378018"],"_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-6a95fdc91e367"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hernandez plays for the [program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers'] U16 team. A quick and technical winger, he's one of their main offensive weapons, using his pace and ability on the ball to make an impact on the final third. Hernandez typically plays as a left winger for the Rangers and stands out for his ability to make plays out wide while also maintaining a strong goalcoring record. He's very aggressive on the ball, taking opponents 1v1, keeps backlines under pressure with his well-timed and quick runs in behind, and also delivers goals thanks to his ability to get into good spots in the penalty box and composure in front of the goal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dC82mZgXN8E","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dC82mZgXN8E </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["211226"],"_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-6a95fca116209"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Serna is back with the [program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers'] after spending the last season with the [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] and should play for their U17 and U19 teams. He has tremendous offensive quality and a very skilled left foot, and can make an impact in the attacking half by beating opponents 1v1 with his dribbling or by setting up plays with his accurate and intelligent passing, often catching opponents off guard with first-time touches. Serna is extremely versatile and can be used as a central midfielder or as a wide midfielder on both sides, and as a left back. His ability in dead-ball situations is impressive and makes of every free kick in the attacking half or corner kick a goalscoring opportunity for this team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":278937,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/02/2J4A0023_bce138.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-278937" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->