MLS Next U19: Dynamo dominate at home and beat FC Dallas 3-0

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</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>Texas rivals [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] and [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] faced off in the U19 age group on Saturday at Houston Sports Park and we were in attendance. The Dynamo made their home-field advantage count and triumphed 3-0.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] U19 vs. [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] U19 - <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2026/10/mls-next-u19-houston-dynamo-vs-fc-dallas-photos-2/">Photos</a></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/DezQKetjvw9/?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/DezQKetjvw9/?img_index=1 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite dominating the first half, the Dynamo only turned their control into an advantage in the 43rd minute, when midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='332674' first='Matthew' last='Shannon'] found [player_tooltip player_id='210663' first='Maddox' last='Choate'] behind the backline with a first-time pass, and the forward capitalized on it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shannon was important for the Dynamo again in the 59th minute, when he picked up the rebound of a free-kick shot by forward [player_tooltip player_id='280126' first='Sebastiao' last='Nzita'] and doubled the home team's lead. Nzita scored Houston's third goal in the 70th after getting an assist from Choate.</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":["280126"],"_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-6ad916f58439d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Involved in all three Dynamo goals in the match, Nzita was consistently dangerous on the left side of the attack. Combining great pace, excellent work rate, quality on the ball and an aggressive mindset, he was always an option when the home team moved the ball into the final third, making plays out wide and bringing it inside. Nzita attempted several shots during the match and was very calm inside the box to convert one of them and score the third goal. The forward made a big impact in set pieces, too, generating the rebound that resulted in the second goal from a free-kick shot from outside the box and providing excellent service from corner kicks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":415742,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0180_04dda2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-415742" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["210663"],"_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-6ad916f584432"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Choate combined very well with Nzita up top and was just as impactful, ending the match with a goal and an assist. The center forward was excellent with his movement, getting involved in plays in different areas of the field and combining well with his teammates in each of them. Choate was consistently dangerous with his ability to exploit the space behind the backline, getting both his goal and his assist in plays like that. The forward also showed impressive calm inside the box, scoring off a shot from a difficult angle and demonstrating excellent vision and selflessness to assist Nzita.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["332674"],"_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-6ad916f584483"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Shannon was very active and productive in the center of the field and was heavily involved in most of what the Dynamo did on both sides of the ball. He covered a lot of ground defensively and was extremely engaged in possession, looking for the ball to facilitate plays and allow his team to keep moving it. Shannon also made an impact in the final third, most notably setting Choate up to score the first goal with a nice first-time pass in behind after a quick combination play. He also did very well at following up on Nzita's free-kick shot to get to the rebound and score the Dynamo's second goal in the match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":415736,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0158.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-415736" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["337487"],"_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-6ad916f5844d4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">White and fellow center back [player_tooltip player_id='211229' first='Dami' last='Samuel'] both had solid performances and helped the Dynamo deliver the clean sheet that made their victory easier. He played as a left-sided center back and was very effective defensively, winning physical duels and making stops with well-timed defensive actions. White was also important in the team's buildup, moving the ball patiently before getting it upfield. He made some runs on the ball out of the back and initiated the play that led to the Dynamo's first goal in the match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":415732,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0144_e9cfcb.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-415732" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["415781"],"_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-6ad916f584534"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Harper featured at left back for the Dynamo and also offered significant contributions to their strong defensive display. He was matched up against some of [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']' most talented players and did a good job of shutting them down by making the most of his excellent positioning and playing with great determination. Harper also did well in possession, making himself available for the center backs and efficiently supporting the team's buildup. He also showed some quality to make plays when he stepped into the attacking half, passing the ball well and moving intelligently.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":415734,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0151.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-415734" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["148001"],"_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-6ad916f584594"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Eason was [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']' best alternative to challenge the Dynamo's defensive system in a match in which the visitors didn't manage to generate many chances. He spent time in three positions in attack and tried to use his pace to chase long balls and to make plays out wide, managing to fire shots on goal, deliver crosses into the box and draw fouls in the final third. In a game in which he didn't get much service up top, Eason did the best he could to use his skills to make things happen up top.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":415751,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0207.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-415751" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["376179"],"_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-6ad916f5845eb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In a game in which [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] had difficulties building out of the back and insisted on playing long, Dias tried to organize their game in midfield. He moved everywhere on the field to try to get on the ball, and when he managed to do it, he helped his team move it in a more intentional and efficient way. Dias also appeared well in the final third, attempting shots on goal and making plays on the wings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":415730,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0137_6b7e64.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-415730" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->