MLS Next U15: Austin FC tie Nashville SC with last-minute GK goal

The 2026-2027 MLS Next season is officially underway, and until 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, August 10, we were at St. David's Performance Center, in Austin, where [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC'] and [program_tooltip program_id='283704' first='Nashville' last='SC'] clashed in the U15 division. It was an exciting match that had drama until the final whistle and ended in a 2-2 draw after a last-minute goal scored by a goalkeeper.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC'] U15 vs. [program_tooltip program_id='283704' first='Nashville' last='SC'] U15 - <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2026/10/mls-next-u15-austin-fc-vs-nashville-sc-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/DeZacOZjj_q/?img_index=1 </div></figure>   Austin started the match ahead after midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='381722' first='Raymond' last='Zhang'] won the ball in the attacking half, drove it forward and fired a left-footed shot into the upper corner in the tenth minute. Seven minutes later, Nashville set up a nice transition play and forward [player_tooltip player_id='414353' first='Noah' last='Jimenez'] fired a beautiful shot to tie the game. Jimenez got the visiting side ahead in the last minute of the first half after making a great run behind the backline, dribbling past Austin's goalkeeper [player_tooltip player_id='381729' first='Sebastian' last='Gallegos'] and sending the ball into an open net.   Austin controlled possession in the second half, but only got their second goal in added time. Gallegos went into the box for a corner kick and picked up the rebound to get the ball into the lower corner and level the score for the home side.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Game</h2>    Gallegos was Austin's unlikely hero in the match, scoring an incredible last-minute equalizer into added time off a corner kick. With his team dominating possession, the goalkeeper didn't have much work for most of the match, but was solid when he was called to action - he couldn't have done any better to avoid any of Nashville's goals. He did, however, perform an amazing save in the very last play of the match, getting to a shot in the upper corner and avoiding what would have been a game-winning goal for the visitors. The goalkeeper's ability on the ball was also important for Austin as it allowed them to quickly move the ball out of hte back when Nashville pressed higher.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0381.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-414366" /></figure>    Zhang scored Austin's first goal in the match and had a strong presence in midfield for them, delivering a high level of intensity and quality on the ball. He started the match as an attacking midfielder and did a good job of roaming in the final third to get involved in their offensive plays, using his passing to help create chances. Zhang's intelligence when pressing made Nashville's buildup more difficult, and in one of those plays, he won the ball just outside the box to score. He was pushed to center midfield for the second half and helped Austin dominate possession, moving the ball efficiently.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0347.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-414355" /></figure>    Kemuel started the match at right back and had a solid shift there. He was very good defensively, standing out with his positioning to clear long passes in the air and his ability to shut opponents down 1v1 out wide. Kemuel also demonstrated nice quality when he supported the attack, covering ground very quickly, combining well with his teammates and sending well-weighted crosses into the box. He had a more defensive role in the later portion of the second half, playing on the right side of Austin's back three, and continued to perform well, using his pace and athleticism to challenge opponents and stop Nashville's transition plays.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0321.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-414343" /></figure>    Lester played all 90 minutes in midfield and was very consistent for Austin. The left-footed midfielder did good work in possession, taking good care of the ball and moving it intelligently, often looking to get it to wider players. Lester also covered a lot of ground on defense and, in the second half, with Austin piling up forward in their attempt to tie the game, had a large amount of work to do in that area of the game. He also showed a strong presence in the attacking penalty box in set pieces, getting a couple of nice headers that went a little wide.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0376.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-414364" /></figure>    Jimenez had an excellent shift up top for Nashville and was critical in the result. With Austin dominating possession, he didn't have many chances to score, but capitalized on both of them, showing high-level finishing skills and calm in front of the goal. Jimenez did a good job of chasing long balls, getting to the end of some of them and flicking others towards teammates. He also drifted wide to keep possession and combined well with his teammates when they supported him in the attack.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0358.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-414359" /></figure>    An worked very hard in the center of the field for Nashville and helped his team endure Austin's pressure for most of the match. Playing as a defensive midfielder, he was a workhorse and did a good job shielding the team's backline. An was able to keep opponents under heavy pressure with his strong defensive skills and neutralized some of Austin's most talented players when facing them 1v1. The midfielder also did well in possession, playing simple passes and connecting the vast majority of them.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0382.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-414367" /></figure>

The 2026-2027 MLS Next season is officially underway, and until 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, August 10, we were at St. David's Performance Center, in Austin, where Austin FC and Nashville SC clashed in the U15 division. It was an exciting match that had drama until the final whistle and ended in a 2-2 draw after a last-minute goal scored by a goalkeeper.

Austin FC U15 vs. Nashville SC U15 - Photos

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Austin started the match ahead after midfielder Raymond Zhang Raymond Zhang M State TX won the ball in the attacking half, drove it forward and fired a left-footed shot into the upper corner in the tenth minute. Seven minutes later, Nashville set up a nice transition play and forward Noah Jimenez Noah Jimenez F TN fired a beautiful shot to tie the game. Jimenez got the visiting side ahead in the last minute of the first half after making a great run behind the backline, dribbling past Austin's goalkeeper Sebastian Gallegos Sebastian Gallegos GK State TX and sending the ball into an open net.

Austin controlled possession in the second half, but only got their second goal in added time. Gallegos went into the box for a corner kick and picked up the rebound to get the ball into the lower corner and level the score for the home side.

Players of the Game

Sebastian Gallegos

POS GK

CLASS 2030

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Sebastian Gallegos

State: Texas

Club: Austin FC

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Raymond Zhang

POS M

CLASS 2030

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Raymond Zhang

State: Texas

Club: Austin FC

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Belema Kemuel

TX #16

D #4

POS D

CLASS 2030

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Belema Kemuel

State: Texas

Club: Austin FC

Kemuel started the match at right back and had a solid shift there. He was very good defensively, standing out with his positioning to clear long passes in the air and his ability to shut opponents down 1v1 out wide. Kemuel also demonstrated nice quality when he supported the attack, covering ground very quickly, combining well with his teammates and sending well-weighted crosses into the box. He had a more defensive role in the later portion of the second half, playing on the right side of Austin's back three, and continued to perform well, using his pace and athleticism to challenge opponents and stop Nashville's transition plays.