MLS Next U19: Real Salt Lake beat Houston Dynamo on the road

<p>The 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.</p>   <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>   <p>On Saturday, October 3, we were in attendance for the encounter between the [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] and Real Salt Lake's U19 teams at Houston Sports Park. Despite playing on the road, RSL showed more firepower and produced a 3-1 victory.</p>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] U19 vs. Real Salt Lake U19 - <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2026/10/mls-next-u19-houston-dynamo-vs-real-salt-lake-photos-2/">Photos</a></strong></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/DeHhVn5DiEe/?img_index=1 </div></figure>   <p>Real Salt Lake scored the first goal of the first half with midfielder Isaac Murphy, who picked off the rebound of a cross on the edge of the box and fired a shot that deflected off a Dynamo defender and went into the back of the net in the 30th minute.</p>   <p>The visiting side doubled its lead in the 53rd minute, when forward Nicholas Silva had to finish twice to score. Nine minutes later, the Dynamo got one back with forward [player_tooltip player_id='148174' first='Tristan' last='Cottle'], who received a pass behind the backline from midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='332674' first='Matthew' last='Shannon'], dribbled past RSL's goalkeeper and finished into an open net. Salt Lake's victory was sealed in the 73rd minute, when forward Rylan Hashimoto got the ball inside the box and scored with a low driven shot.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Real Salt Lake's captain Murphy was a key piece in their playing system, dictating the team's pace from the center midfielder spot. He not only distributed the ball intelligently and efficiently but also did a great job with his off-the-ball movement, consistently being a passing option for his teammates and helping them break the Dynamo's press. Murphy also did solid defensive work alongside fellow midfielder Javier Martinez, as the two were very effective at covering ground and winning duels in the center of the field. He appeared in the final third on some occasions and in one of them scored the team's first goal with a shot that deflected off a Dynamo defender.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0109.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-413270" /></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Hashimoto played as an inverted winger on the right and was very active for RSL in the final third. He used his pace and dribbling skills to make plays out wide, but also came inside and was very involved in their playmaking. Hashimoto dropped to get on the ball and combined well with outside back Hunter Peralta to attack the left side of the Dynamo's backline. He scored his team's third goal in a play in which he timed his run well to stay onside and showed calm to finish, sending the ball into the lower coner with a well-placed right-footed shot.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0105.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-413269" /></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Silva played more to the left side of RSL's attack and was a constant threat to the Dynamo's backline. He was excellent at finding room to operate in the attacking half by stepping into the half-space between the wing and the center of the field and showed solid technical skills to make things happen. Silva circulated all around the final third and was very quick and dynamic when in possession. He scored RSL's second goal after picking up the rebound of his own finish and sending the ball into the back of the net.</p>    <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/DeIQcSzEZTt/?img_index=1 </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Emmenegger played on the right side of RSL's back three, and except for the Dynamo goal, when he was beaten by Cottle in a foot race in space, he was very difficult to get by. The center dominated the penalty box, blocking what could have been dangerous shots and intercepting passes. Emmenegger also stood out for his positioning and appeared in great spots to cover his teammates, making key tackles. His game on the ball was also effective, as he did a good job in possession, playing long passes out of the back.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0098.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-413267" /></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Cottle scored the Dynamo's only goal in the match and was their most consistently dangerous attacking option. He played as a left winger, but operated mostly inside, combining well with his teammates when they had the ball. Cottle used his pace to make runs out wide, and in one of them, scored the Dynamo's goal in a play in which he also showed calm and composure to beat RSL's keeper. He also showed good effort and determination to play defense, pressing opposing center backs when they had the ball and dropping back to support his teammates.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0092.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-413263" /></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Shannon played different roles for the Dynamo during the match and had a steady performance, being one of the team's most consistent players. He started the match in center midfield, where he used his intensity to compete and distributed the ball efficiently. One of his passes led to the team's first goal as he intelligently found Cottle behind the RSL backline right after the team won possession. Shannon moved to a more advanced role on the right during the second half and did good things there, too, getting the ball to the end line and sending some crosses into the box. </p>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0009.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-413239" /></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Gardner spent time on both wingback spots for the Dynamo and showed great effort to make plays. He spent the first half on the left and couldn't find much space to make runs out wide, but after moving to his natural right side during the second half, he was more productive. It wasn't Gardner's most brilliant technical performance, but he never gave up and used his pace and physicality to beat opponents 1v1 and managed to get the ball to the end line. He also showed good dedication and commitment to play defense, working hard off the ball.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0079.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-413260" /></figure>

The 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.