MLS Next U16: GFI Academy beat the Houston Dynamo 4-1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026-2027 MLS Next season continues to progress, 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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Saturday, October 24, the [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] faced Global Football Innovation (GFI) Academy in a U16 match at Houston Sports Park. The visitors dominated and secured a big 4-1 road win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] U16 vs. GFI Academy U16 - <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2026/10/mls-next-u16-houston-dynamo-vs-gfi-academy-photos/">Photos</a></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/De9f47ilJDV/?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/De9f47ilJDV/?img_index=1 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>GFI Academy found the back of the net for the first time in the 18th minute, when a long pass sent by defender Sebastian Hartley found forward [player_tooltip player_id='416534' first='Nathan' last='Chicas'] behind the backline, and he brought the ball inside before firing a left-footed shot into the lower corner. The Dynamo leveled the score three minutes later, when forward [player_tooltip player_id='381786' first='Erik' last='Galaviz'] shot twice to score after the hosts won the ball in their attacking half. GFI Academy went to the halftime break ahead thanks to a goal scored by defender [player_tooltip player_id='295656' first='Drew' last='Hoerner'] after a corner kick in the 40th minute.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The third goal only happened in the 68th minute, when midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='416536' first='Felix' last='Rocha'] passed the ball to forward [player_tooltip player_id='416543' first='Ajay' last='Cheema'], who entered the box on the right side and fired a well-placed cross shot. Chicas scored again in the 74th minute, following up on another good play by Rocha and hitting a nice first-time shot from the penalty spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Game</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["416534"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6adf671cdb1f9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Chicas was the main name in GFI Academy's victory, scoring twice and being a constant threat to the Dynamo. He spent time on both wings and did a great job of using his pace to make runs behind the backline, scoring the first goal in one of them and drawing some fouls around the box. Chicas also showed calm in front of the goal and solid finishing skills, scoring the first goal with his preferred left foot and the second with his right. Besides offering nice offensive contributions, he also worked hard off the ball, providing solid defensive support on the flanks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":416243,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0343_eae845.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-416243" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["416536"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6adf671cdb29a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rocha was GFI Academy's main playmaker in the match and did a good job of setting his teammates up in the final third, getting involved in the team's last two goals. He started the match in central midfield and was often on the ball, showing good quality and vision to find passes behind the backline. Rocha moved to the right wing during the second half and continued to be a weapon, combining well with the outside back and bringing the ball inside to his preferred left foot. He also stepped into the box to finish chances, and one of his shots that got blocked found Chicas to score the fourth goal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":416211,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0252_3fe15d.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-416211" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["295656"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6adf85ef84ccd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hoerner led GFI Academy's backline in a solid display and also contributed offensively, scoring their second goal in a key moment of the match. The right-sided center back stood out for his positioning, was very clean on the tackle, and also did well when he had to defend in space. Hoerner was very active in possession, too, helping his team move the ball out of the back and delivering accurate long passes. He was well-positioned in the attacking penalty box after a corner kick and capitalized on it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":416225,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0285_ee77ea.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-416225" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["295646"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6adf671cdb31f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A former Dynamo player, Ambriz had a strong performance in midfield and gave a lot of stability to GFI Academy's game. He was a workhorse for them, covering a lot of ground and stopping many plays through the center of the field. Ambriz also did very well in possession, moving the ball intelligently and resisting pressure with calm and confidence. He was involved in the second goal of his team, taking the corner kick that led to it, and did well in set pieces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":416231,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0309_282aed.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-416231" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["416543"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6adf85ef84cf0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cheema led the line for GFI Academy up top and did a good job of remaining active and intense in the final third. He was very effective when contesting long balls and got a slight deflection that set Chicas up to score the team's first goal. Cheema also demonstrated great mobility in the final third, making runs behind the backline and drifting wide to explore the space. The forward did very well in the play in which he scored, peeling to the right to find space to get on the ball and firing an excellent low driven shot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":416220,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0273_0b9612.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-416220" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["381786"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6adf85ef84d0f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Galaviz spent most of the match playing out of his original position and still managed to have a good performance and score the Dynamo's lone goal in the match. Originally a midfielder, he was used at center forward due to multiple injuries and played the role with great mobility. Galaviz dropped to combine with his teammates and make plays and scored the team's goal in a quick transition play. He moved to the right wing during the second half and tried to make things happen by going at defenders 1v1, having limited success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":416238,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0329_14105f.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-416238" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["381703"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6adf85ef84d2d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Knupfer showed great work rate and intensity in the center of the field for the Dynamo and was one of the team's top players on the field. He covered a lot of ground defensively and was very efficient with his defensive actions. Knupfer also did well on the ball, moving it intelligently and making some runs through the middle or the right wing. He was also very active at stepping up to press high and generating good chances for his team after winning the ball back in the attacking half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":416237,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0326_9eb9ef.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-416237" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->