MLS Next U16: Defenses prevail as Austin FC and Dynamo tie 0-0

<!-- 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, November 7, [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC'] and the [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] met in the U16 age group at Parmer Field in Austin. Despite remarkable efforts from both sides, defenses prevailed, and the match ended in a 0-0 tie.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC'] U16 vs. [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] U16 - <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2026/11/mls-next-u16-austin-fc-vs-houston-dynamo-photos/">Photos</a></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/DfkNV2YlDsR/?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/DfkNV2YlDsR/?img_index=1 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- 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":["377963"],"_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-6aefe7ea41d1f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Vega had an excellent performance on both sides of the ball and was one of the most influential players on the field. The left back was matched up with the Dynamo's talented winger [player_tooltip player_id='295569' first='Kenzynton' last='Pierre'] and had some interesting battles with him, winning the vast majority of them. Vega showed quality when he stayed back to support the team's buildup with his passing, but more often than not he would stay wide and push forward, serving as an outlet for them. The outside back made excellent plays out wide in the attacking half but enjoyed some freedom on offense and didn't hold his position, coming inside to combine with his teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":418525,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/11/2J4A1474.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-418525" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["377971"],"_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-6aefe7ea41d5b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pacheco was Austin's most advanced midfielder, and he embraced the responsibility of leading the team's playmaking. He did a good job of consistently getting involved when his team had the ball and finding space to operate between the lines. Pacheco made some good runs through the center and helped set up some plays on the left, especially when combining with Vega. He also showed good confidence to attempt shots from outside the box when he had some space on the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":418527,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/11/2J4A1481.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-418527" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["377975"],"_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-6aefe7ea41d7f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lopez had a solid shift at defensive midfielder and helped Austin earn a clean sheet against a talented Dynamo offense. He sat in front of the team's backline and was very active defensively, covering a lot of ground and being firm and timely on the tackle. Lopez was very important when supporting his team's buildup and moved the ball very well every time he had it, showing confidence to attempt passes and the intelligence to pick the right options. His positioning off the ball was always very good, as he consistently slid into the right spots to keep the team's defensive system well-balanced when one of his teammates pushed forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":418533,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/11/2J4A1541.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-418533" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["383420"],"_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-6aefe7ea41d9e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">West was Austin's most dangerous attacking player in the match and possibly the one who got the closest to scoring. He played on the right side of the team's attack and had an excellent start to the game, consistently finding space to make plays behind the Dynamo backline. West was also very strong off the dribble, being very aggressive when on the ball and showing nice moves to beat defenders. He had some good shots on target that made the Dynamo goalkeeper work.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":418524,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/11/2J4A1469.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-418524" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["380291"],"_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-6aefea7bd75e9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hiwiller came off the bench after the halftime break and helped the Dynamo have a much better performance in the second half of the match. He played as a center midfielder and significantly improved the team's game on the ball, combining well with [player_tooltip player_id='295582' first='Emilio' last='Maldonado']. Hiwiller demonstrated excellent vision and moved the ball quickly, consistently finding the wide players in good spots. He also brought good energy and worked hard to make stops in the center of the field. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":418535,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/11/2J4A1553.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-418535" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["295561"],"_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-6aefea7bd7654"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gonzalez had a fair amount of work in the game and did a good job of ending it with a clean sheet. Austin attempted several shots on goal, and the goalkeeper handled them very efficiently, not giving up any rebounds. Gonzalez made a pair of big saves in the second half, stopping an Austin player 1v1 in one play and making back-to-back saves in another. He communicated very efficiently with the defenders and did well when using his feet to move the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":418511,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/11/2J4A1444.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-418511" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["317494"],"_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-6aefea7bd76e0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Even though the Dynamo couldn't find a goal to win the match, Munson was one of their best players on the field. The center forward moved well and consistently in the final third and always looked to give his teammates an option up top. Munson made good diagonal runs to get in behind the outside backs and nearly scored after getting to the end of a cross and forcing Austin's goalkeeper into a good save. He also worked very hard until the final whistle, pressing defenders non-stop and fighting for every long ball that went into the final third.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":418547,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/11/2J4A1621.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-418547" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["294252"],"_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-6aefea7bd7747"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Morris had a solid shift at right back and was one of the standouts in the Dynamo backline. He had a lot going on, with Austin consistently targeting his zone in some periods of the match, but handled it well, winning his duels and showing firmness in his defensive actions. Morris also did well when he came inside to help defend the box, clearing some crosses in the air and on the ground. He supported the team's buildup by staying back most of the time when the Dynamo had the ball, but showed quality to combine with his teammates when he ventured into the attacking half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":418534,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/11/2J4A1550.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-418534" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->