MLS Next U15: Houston Dynamo vs. Austin FC

The club soccer season is underway and teams from around the country are competing in their respective leagues in the first of several months of traveling and playing.   We, at Prep Soccer Texas, will follow as many matches and players as possible, paying close attention to everything that happens in the MLS Next, ECNL National and Regional Leagues and Girls Academy League, as well as showcases and tournaments, giving the talented players from the Lone Star State the exposure they deserve.   On Saturday, September, we were at the Houston Sports Park, where the Houston Dynamo and the Austin FC U15 teams battled in the Frontier Division.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2024/09/mls-next-u15-houston-dynamo-vs-austin-fc-photos/">MLS Next: Houston Dynamo U15 vs. Austin FC U15 - Photos</a></li> </ul>   It was an even match, with a lot of back and forth, which ended in a 1-1 tie. Forward [player_tooltip player_id='211230' first='Oscar' last='Olsen'] scored for the Dynamo in the second, but [player_tooltip player_id='210662' first='Xavier' last='Brown'] leveled the score for Austin a few minutes later. The Dynamo continue undefeated in fifth place with seven points (two wins, one tie), while Austin are eighth with two points (two ties).   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match</h2>    Oscar, the son of Dynamo's MLS team head coach, Ben Olsen, was the offensive target for his team. Playing as a striker, he offered many offensive options with his well-rounded game. Olsen would at times drop deeper to get on the ball and engage in combination plays, but also worked well closer to the penalty box with his back to the goal. His movement off the ball was excellent as he made some dangerous runs attacking the space between the center back and the outside back, getting into good spots. He scored the team's goal in a beautiful play, in which he got the ball into the penalty box, turned into a defender and finished with power and precision. Olsen also was very active at putting pressure on opposing defenders when they had the ball.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/IMG_7607.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-232455" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Houston Dynamo U15 vs. Austin FC U15</figcaption></figure>    Munoz was very active on the left side of the Dynamo's attack and created some problems for Austin's backline. Very aggressive and skilled on the ball, he went at defenders and was able to beat them off the dribble fairly often, displaying an interesting repertoire and strong decision-making. He started the play that resulted in Olsen's goal, driving the ball forward on the left and feeding him inside the penalty box. Munoz also spent some time playing more centrally, as an attacking midfielder, and showed great quality in operating in tighter space, combining with his teammates and finding nice passes around the penalty box.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/IMG_7636.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-232461" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Houston Dynamo U15 vs. Austin FC U15</figcaption></figure>    Originally an attacking player, Fitzsimons stood out playing right back for the Dynamo, displaying some versatility and an interesting ability to adapt. He played with great intensity, running up and down the field during the entire match and being very active on both sides of the ball. Fitzsimons held his own defensively by using his body to block space and win duels and was very hard to beat in 1v1 situations. His offensive background showed every time he went forward, as he timed his overlaps well and at times came inside to facilitate plays with his vision and passing. Fitzsimons almost scored the game-winning goal for the Dynamo, but his header off of a corner kick hit the crossbar.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/IMG_7640.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-232462" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Houston Dynamo U15 vs. Austin FC U15</figcaption></figure>    Brown was very important for Austin because of his versatility and his production. A high-energy player, he started the match playing as an invested right winger and was very dangerous there, using his dribbling and ball control to beat defenders in 1v1 situations and making strong and intelligent runs behind the backline to get passes. He scored the team's goal in the match by coming inside the penalty box to finish a play that developed on the left and striking a powerful and well-placed shot into the back of the net. Brown played part of the second half at left back and was very efficient there as well. He not only used his offensive quality to contribute to the team's attack, but was also very solid defensively, getting the better of more physical players.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/IMG_7631.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-232460" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Houston Dynamo U15 vs. Austin FC U15</figcaption></figure>    The most creative player in Austin's midfield trio, Mendez was very active for them when in possession. His vision was truly impressive as he often connected intelligent one-time passes that freed teammates up and helped his team break pressure. Mendez was also very intelligent with his movement, at times dropping deeper to get on the ball and hit diagonal passes to connect with the team's wingers. Also very precise in set pieces, the midfielder made some nice runs with the ball, going from the middle to wide positions. He also helped his team cover ground defensively, occupying the space in the center of the field.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/IMG_7547.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-232439" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Houston Dynamo U15 vs. Austin FC U15</figcaption></figure>    A new face with Austin FC, having arrived from ECNL's Utah Avalanche, Arnold slotted nicely in the team's backline, giving them defensive solidness and quality on the ball. He defended the penalty box extremely well, handling crosses efficiently, cutting passing lanes with intelligence and being resilient in 1v1 duels. The center back was also very active in the team's buildup, getting on the ball a lot. Arnold connected long passes out of the back and also did a good job of making the extra effort to keep possession, not forcing plays or attempting high-risk passes, instead being patient and finding more efficient solutions.

The club soccer season is underway and teams from around the country are competing in their respective leagues in the first of several months of traveling and playing.