MLSNext U19: Betancourt scores three as Dynamo blow past AC River

The MLS Next League season continues to progress across the country, with multiple matches being held every weekend.   This season, we at Prep Soccer Texas have been following the matches involving the teams from the state very closely. On Saturday, March 15, we were at the Houston Sports Park when the Houston Dynamo U19 team had no trouble defeating San Antonio's AC River 9-0 in an MLS Next Flex Frontier match.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2025/03/mls-next-u19-houston-dynamo-vs-ac-river-photos/">Photos: Houston Dynamo U19 vs. AC River U19</a></li> </ul>   Midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='16579' first='Noah' last='Betancourt'] was on fire and produced a first-half hat-trick to pave the way for the Dynamo's strong victory. He scored the first goal of the match in the first minutes after he picked up a rebound of his shot and a few minutes later, he assisted midfielder Omar Flores in the second goal with a low cross. Midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='288461' first='Lalo' last='Estrada'] scored the team's third goal with a well-placed cross-shot before Betancourt got another two, being assisted by forward [player_tooltip player_id='90004' first='Javier' last='Caro'] on both. Caro also scored before the halftime break, shooting twice to find the back of the net, as the Dynamo went to the break leading 6-0.   AC River were able to challenge the Dynamo in a stronger way in the second half, but it didn't take long for the home team to get another one as midfielder Enrique Correa took a free kick on the side of the penalty box and the ball deflected on the head of a defender before going in. The team's eighth goal also came on a set piece, with defender [player_tooltip player_id='16597' first='Omar' last='Bolanos'] taking a corner kick and the wind pushing the ball into the back of the net for an Olimpico. The Dynamo ended the match with some U15 players on the field and two of them combined in the ninth and last goa, with [player_tooltip player_id='210655' first='Matthew' last='Arana'] making a great play on the left and feeding [player_tooltip player_id='280126' first='Sebastiao' last='Nzita'], who just had to send the ball into the open net.   With the victory, the Dynamo got to 19 points (six wins, four losses, one tie) and continued in sixth place in the MLS Next Flex Frontier conference standings. AC River are at the bottom of the table in 12th place, with two points (nine losses, two ties).   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match</h2>    With three goals and one assist, all registered in the first half, Betancourt was the most impactful player on the field. The midfielder, who recently featured for the Dynamo's 2 team in the MLS Next Pro, played a more advanced role than usual, but still looked extremely comfortable there, pulling the strings in their offense. Betancourt was very dynamic in the attacking half, using her body to win space and playing quick, first-time passes that facilitated the team's playmaking. He displayed a great presence inside the penalty box to finish chances and also had some excellent runs on the ball in the final third, primarily through the right side of the Dynamo's offense, which often created good opportunities for the team.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/2J4A0073_3bef5f.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-282116" /></figure>    Originally an outside back, Flores started the match as a left-sided midfielder and did a great job of helping the team create chances from his side. As a right-footed player who was inverted, he had a tendency to bring the ball inside, opening up space out wide for left back Zach White to overlap. Flores appeared well in the far post to get on the end of a Betancourt cross and score the team's second goal, but also did well when making plays out wide. He was moved to central defense halfway through he second half, when AC River had more of the ball, and helped the Dynamo preserve their clean sheet with strong defensive plays.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/2J4A0095_0d7b16.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-282122" /></figure>    The forward had a very active shift, getting involved in four of the team's goals - he scored one, assisted in two and drew the free kick that resulted in the seventh goal. Caro served as the reference for the Dynamo's offense and connected very well with the players around him, especially Betancourt, who was their most offensive-minded midfielder. He was always very intelligent on and off the ball and explored extremely well the space available, be it by dropping deeper to get on the ball or by drifting wide. Caro ended the match in central midfield and initiated some dangerous transition plays near the end of the match.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/2J4A0103.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-282127" /></figure>    The Mexican Youth International played two different roles across the backline and was very efficient in both, adding to the team's defensive solidness. Bolanos started the match as a right-sided center back and did a very good of stopping AC River's offensive plays, intercepting passes and challenging their forwards. The defender was also a major factor in how the Dynamo vastly controlled the game in the first half as fellow center back [player_tooltip player_id='88489' first='Gavin' last='Wolff'] and he were both excellent with their buildup, not only helping the team keep the ball, but actually initiating offensive plays and getting AC River out of shape. Bolanos played part of the second half as a right back and was very solid with how he controlled his zone. He provided great service in set pieces and was lucky to have the wind help him register an Olimpico.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/2J4A0033_f860c1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-282101" /></figure>    Estrada played only the first half of the match but was highly impactful in the Dynamo's dominant performance. He was used on the right side of their midfield and played with tremendous intensity, contributing both offensively and defensively for the team. Estrada got on the ball a lot very often and did a good job of combining with the players around him, especially right back Faraji Ramani. He didn't stay out wide the entire time, coming inside on some occasions, and in one of those scored the team's third goal by getting on the ball just inside the penalty box and firing an accurate shot that hit the post and went in.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/2J4A0032.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-282100" /></figure>    Gonzalez got on the ball a lot for AC River as he was one of the few players in the team who managed to break the Dynamo's press in the first half. Playing as a defensive midfielder, he was very intelligent with his passing, using several first-time passes to move the ball before an opponent got to him and helping the team keep possession. When he had a little bit of time on the ball, Gonzalez also displayed great vision and accuracy with his long passes, making some nice switches that found teammates open. In the second half, when AC River had a better performance, he stepped on the attacking half more often and made some good plays, including one in which she drew and took a free kick that the Dynamo goalkeeper saved.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/2J4A0100_ebb7c6.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-282125" /></figure>    Moran and fellow center back Vicenzo Quezada had a lot of work to do in the first half, when they were exposed and had to deal with non-stop attacking from the Dynamo. Playing on the left side of AC River's backline, he made some good interventions, especially when clearing crosses from the penalty box, and helped avoid an even worse scoreline. His passing was also solid as the defender didn't waste possession or turn the ball over in dangerous spots despite the opponents' pressure. Moran was moved to midfield in the second half and his presence there helped limit his team's struggles as he worked hard off the ball and made things more difficult to the Dynamo, while also contributing offensively with good passes.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/2J4A0071_ae0a01.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-282115" /></figure>

The MLS Next League season continues to progress across the country, with multiple matches being held every weekend.