MLS Next U16: RSL dominate the Houston Dynamo in a ten-goal game

he 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, October 3, the [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] and [program_tooltip program_id='283725' first='Real' last='Salt Lake'] clashed in the U16 age group at Houston Sports Park. It was an intense, high-scoring game, which had eight goals scored in the second half and ended with RSL prevailing 8-2.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] U16 vs. [program_tooltip program_id='283725' first='Real' last='Salt Lake'] U16 - <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2026/10/mls-next-u16-houston-dynamo-vs-real-salt-lake-photos-2/">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/DePKAUKDuUj/?img_index=1 </div></figure>   [program_tooltip program_id='283725' first='Real' last='Salt Lake'] started to build their impressive victory in the first half - defender Asher McKenna got in behind the backline to score the first goal in the 39th minute and forward Rijkaard Atali picked up the rebound off a corner kick to get another one five minutes later.   Their third goal came in the 46th minute, when defender Alexander Carbajal crossed from the right, and Dynamo defender [player_tooltip player_id='294252' first='Justus' last='Morris'] sent the ball into his own goal as he attempted to clear it. The home team got one back in the 55th minute with forward [player_tooltip player_id='317494' first='Dax' last='Munson'], but Yahya Nawabi hit a beautiful shot from outside the box eight minutes later. The home team cut RSL's lead again in the 68th minute, when forward [player_tooltip player_id='378023' first='Nolawi' last='Teshome'] was taken down inside the box and midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='377949' first='David' last='Herrera'] converted from the spot, but Carbajal picked up the rebound of a free-kick shot and scored five minutes later.   The Dynamo pushed forward and got down a man after defender [player_tooltip player_id='295574' first='Will' last='Moddelmog'] was shown a red card, and RSL capitalized on it, scoring three times in the last 11 minutes, all of them on transition plays - Sloan Earl scored in the 79th and 90th minutes, while Markas Steponavicius found the back of the net in the 86th minute.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match</h2>    Playing as a right wingback, Carbajal was very intense out wide and delivered a strong two-way performance for [program_tooltip program_id='283725' first='Real' last='Salt Lake']. He showed incredible energy running up and down the field and was consistently involved in the team's attacking plays. Carbajal delivered the cross that resulted in the team's third goal and showed excellent presence inside the box to score the fifth, which helped cool the Dynamo down in what was their best moment in the match. The outside back also did good work off the ball, playing solid defense and controlling his zone.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0252.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-413562" /></figure>    Playing as a midfielder, Hammon helped RSL control the center of the field from the start and gain an advantage in a key area of the game. He worked very well alongside fellow midfielder Matthew Lamberti as the two thrived with their distribution and helped dictate the pace of the game. Hammon's passing was always very clean, and he helped set up good attacking plays with long balls from the center of the field. He also did good defensive work, covering ground in front of the team's backline and being very successful when he got into duels.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0219.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-413551" /></figure>    McKenna plays as a left wingback, opposite to Carbajal, and his presence gave RSL the ability to stretch the field with a pair of good options out wide. He was always very efficient on the ball, connecting well with his teammates and consistently being an option for the center backs when they were building out of the back. McKenna was excellent at scoring the goal that opened the door for his team's impressive victory, making a perfectly timed run behind the backline and showing calm inside the box to beat an opponent off the dribble and finish. The wingback was matched up with Dynamo's talented winger [player_tooltip player_id='295569' first='Kenzynton' last='Pierre'] and did a good job of keeping him quiet, showing solid defensive skills.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0176.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-413538" /></figure>    Earl came in during the second half and used his limited time on the field to score twice and help RSL build a comfortable victory. The forward showed great understanding of the game and knew exactly how to take advantage of the Dynamo's offensive approach in the final minutes, being an option for his team to hit on the counter. Earl was excellent with his positioning, remaining onside in most of the transition plays [program_tooltip program_id='283725' first='Real' last='Salt Lake'] produced, and showed calm in front of the goal to convert the chances he had.     In a match in which the Dynamo struggled to create chances by working collectively, Teshome's 1v1 plays on the left were among their best options to get into dangerous spots. He didn't have much success in his attempts during the first half, but came back stronger from the halftime break and led them into their best moment in the match. The winger initiated the play that ended in Munson's goal and drew the penalty kick that resulted in Herrera's goal. Teshome also showed nice defensive commitment, tracking back and helping his team work off the ball.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0262.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-413566" /></figure>    Herrera came off the bench during the second half and gave the Dynamo a boost right before their best moment in the match. The center midfielder did a good job of moving the ball quickly and more aggressively, getting it into the final third fairly often. He also stepped up to take the penalty kick and did a good job from the spot. Herrera showed great determination to change things and was very vocal in the center of the field, changing the team's mood when he was on the field.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0269.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-413569" /></figure>

he 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.