MLS Next U19: Forwards shine, and Austin FC beat Nashville

<!-- 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>On Saturday, October 10, we were in Austin, where [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC'] hosted [program_tooltip program_id='283704' first='Nashville' last='SC'] for a U19 match at St. David's Performance Center. With goals scored by three different players, the home team prevailed 3-1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC'] U19 vs. [program_tooltip program_id='283704' first='Nashville' last='SC'] U19 - <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2026/10/mls-next-u19-austin-fc-vs-nashville-sc-photos/">Photos</a></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/Deeojq-DjOM/?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/Deeojq-DjOM/?img_index=1 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Austin scored their first goal in the match in the 22nd minute, when [player_tooltip player_id='414007' first='Nicolas' last='Rojas'] combined with fellow forward [player_tooltip player_id='350769' first='Kevin' last='Houar'] and fired a low driven shot from outside the box into the lower corner. The lead doubled in the final minute of the first half, after defender [player_tooltip player_id='355014' first='Vona' last='Dievbiere'] cleared the ball upfield, Houar got to it, dribbled past Nashville's goalkeeper and finished into an open net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nashville got one back in the 69th minute after Austin's goalkeeper [player_tooltip player_id='413989' first='Liam' last='Flynn'] couldn't hold a corner-kick cross and defender Salem Chandler was there to tap the ball in. Five minutes later, Austin sealed their victory - defender [player_tooltip player_id='210648' first='Clayton' last='Glynn'] sent a low cross from the right side of the box, and forward [player_tooltip player_id='349082' first='Rocco' last='Viana'] got to it on the back post to score.</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":["350769"],"_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-6accfae5715ff"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With a goal and an assist, Houar was pivotal in Austin's home win. He played on the left side of the team's attack and was consistently dangerous in transition, staying wide and being very direct when he got on the ball. Houar did a great job of fighting for what initially appeared to be a dead ball and showed calm in front of the goal to make it past the goalkeeper and score. The winger also did well when he came inside to combine with his teammates, assisting Rojas in his goal and firing a good shot from just outside the box. He also showed good discipline on defense, tracking back to help until he left the game, despite clearly being tired.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":414533,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0117.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-414533" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["414007"],"_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-6accfae571631"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rojas played opposite to Houar on the right and was also very active in the attacking half for Austin. He combined well with right back [player_tooltip player_id='377979' first='Abdiel' last='Alvarez'] when he pushed forward, coming inside to give him room to operate out wide. Rojas also made that kind of movement when he scored Austin's first goal, coming inside from the right to combine with Houar and fire a low driven shot that went in right next to the post. He used his pace to make plays out wide and also provided solid defensive support.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":414541,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0138.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-414541" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["210665"],"_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-6accfae57166f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Diaz worked a lot in the center of the field for Austin and produced well on both sides of the ball throughout the entire match. He helped the team control the central area with his high-energy defensive game and managed to stop several Nashville plays while also forcing opponents back. Diaz was very involved in Austin's buildup and moved extremely well off the ball, consistently finding ways to be an option for his center backs. The midfielder also showed great quality to deliver long passes, starting many transition plays for Austin during the second half, when Nashville pushed forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":414548,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0156_9b1b8c.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-414548" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["355014"],"_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-6accfae571651"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dievbiere had a solid shift in central defense and helped keep Austin scoreless until he was subbed off during the second half. The physical center back defended the penalty box and showed great understanding of when to step up to press opponents higher, using his athleticism to win the ball. Dievbiere was clean and reliable in possession, too, connecting the vast majority of his passes and stepping into the attacking half to support the offense. He ended up getting an assist in Austin's second goal as a ball he cleared out of the back found Houar in a great spot to score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":414510,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0059.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-414510" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["349082"],"_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-6accfae57168c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Viana came off the bench during the second half and didn't need much time to score, finding the back of the net in a moment in which Nashville were more energized and started to push for an equalizer. The striker showed great positioning inside the box and didn't waste the only chance he had in the match. Viana also contributed by fighting for long balls in the attacking half and helping Austin keep possession and avoid Nashville's attempts. He did a good job when defending set pieces and pressing opponents, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":414543,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0141.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-414543" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["414497"],"_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-6accfae5716a8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stephan was Nashville's most dangerous offensive player and was involved in the team's best attacking plays in the match. He played as an inverted winger on the right and used his pace and technical skills to make plays and create problems for Austin's backline. Stephan was very smooth off the dribble and managed to beat opponents 1v1 out wide. He was also dangerous when he brought the ball inside from the wing, firing a couple of good shots with his left foot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":414526,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0097_d6cefc.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-414526" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["414498"],"_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-6accfae5716c3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cerqueira was Nashville's most active midfield player, getting on the ball very often for them. He showed good quality in possession and helped his team circulate the ball and set up plays with his intelligent passing. Cerqueira moved into the attack during the second half and operated closer to the goal but didn't have any good chances to score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":414516,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0075_abecea.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-414516" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->