MLS Next U15: Gutierrez unstoppable as the Dynamo beat GFI 5-0

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The MLS Next League season continues to progress across the country, with multiple matches being held every weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This season, we at Prep Soccer Texas have been following the matches involving the teams from the state very closely. On Saturday, April 26, we followed a duel in the U15 age group at the Houston Sports Park, with the [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] beating [program_tooltip program_id='283654' first='Global' last='Football Innovation Academy'] (GFI) 5-0.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2025/04/mls-next-u15-houston-dynamo-vs-gfi-photos/">Photos: [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] U15 vs. GFI U15</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It took the Dynamo 22 minutes to get on the board, which they did after forward [player_tooltip player_id='210663' first='Maddox' last='Choate'] received a pass behind the backline from midfielder Fernando Gutierrez and chipped the goalkeeper to send the ball into the back of the net. At the 38th-minute mark, Gutierrez showed up on the back post to get on the end of a corner kick taken by Deiby Samuel and headed it home, doubling their lead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>GFI had their best opportunity to score in the 14th minute of the second half, when forward [player_tooltip player_id='295675' first='Andrew' last='Park'] saw his left-footed shot hit the post and go out. The two-goal difference continued until the end of the match, when the Dynamo scored three to get a comfortable victory. Gutierrez scored his second in the match at the 40th-minute mark, getting an excellent pass from Ekco Yurong and beating the keeper with a low shot. Then, [player_tooltip player_id='210673' first='Alexander' last='Munoz'] scored twice during stoppage time, first picking up the rebound of a Choate shot and then firing a well-placed shot after an assist by Gutierrez.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the result, the Dynamo got to 22 points (seven wins, one tie) in the MLS Next League Frontier Conference, appearing in first place. GFI rank tenth with nine points (two wins, five losses, three ties).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Fernando Gutierrez","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"102","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-680d5bc973310"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With two goals and two assists, Gutierrez was the most productive player on the field and played a central role in the Dynamo's victory. Playing as an attacking midfielder, he was constantly involved in the team's offense and was always dangerous with his dribbling ability and vision. He didn't limit his presence to the center of the field, appearing on both wings to make plays and combine with his teammates. Gutierrez did a great job of appearing on the back post to score the team's second goal and was very accurate with his passing, getting a pair of assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":285966,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/04/2J4A0071_e5a5c2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-285966" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Matthew Shannon","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"102","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-680d5bc9733af"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Dynamo captain, Shannon was extremely dominant in the center of the field, dismantling most GFI attempts in there. Besides being very active and covering a lot of ground, he always knew the best moment to step up and press opponents, winning the ball on multiple occasions and starting transition plays in a few of them. Shannon also thrived with his positioning, picking up several second balls and helping his team keep possession. The midfielder also stood out with passing, contributing to the Dynamo, and also playing some vertical passes into the final third.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":285954,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/04/2J4A0031_f65b49.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-285954" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["210673"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-680d5bc973403"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Munoz came off the bench during the first half and helped the Dynamo consolidate their victory with two late goals. Playing on the left wing, he had a very active shift and was consistently involved in the team's chance creation. Munoz was very strong in 1v1 plays and also contributed with his passing, coming inside to combine with his teammates. He did a very good job of following up on Choate's shot to score his first goal and was very calm and composed in front of the goal to get the second.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":285977,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/04/2J4A0101.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-285977" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Deiby Samuel","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"103","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-680d5bc9734dc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Samuel was constantly dangerous playing on the right side of the Dynamo's attack. The winger started the match playing with great intensity and was a handful for GFI's defenders with his pace and athleticism. Samuel did a very good job in set pieces, assisting in the team's second goal and providing good service on other occasions, and was always excellent with his decision-making in the final third. The forward displayed impressive defensive commitment too, not only tracking back to help his team without the ball, but working hard to regain possession and making strong defensive plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":285945,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/04/2J4A0009_cb625d.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-285945" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["280321"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-680d5bc973532"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Diaz was very important with his solid all-around game and his ability to play different roles for the Dynamo. He started the match at left winger and was having a good performance there, taking defenders on the dribble and coming into the penalty box to finish chances. When right back Brogan Fitzsimmons got injured in the first half, Diaz moved to his spot and performed arguably even better, appearing well on both sides of the ball. He was very solid defensively, not allowing anything to happen in his zone, and making good runs on the ball and combination plays into the attacking half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":285962,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/04/2J4A0054_702423.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-285962" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Hunter Karst","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"103","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"John Cooper","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='283654' first='Global' last='Football Innovation Academy']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-680d5bc9735d7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">GFI didn't get a goal against the Dynamo, but Karst worked hard for it the entire time. Playing almost by himself up top, he insistently made runs off the ball, giving his teammates passing options, and fought hard for every long ball sent in his direction, keeping the opposing defenders under pressure. Karst was also involved in two of his team's most dangerous plays in the match, firing a nice shot from outside the box and making a good cross from the left, but both were handled by Dynamo goalkeeper Shay Sellers. The forward also had his intensity level high when he didn't have the ball, pressing defenders and dropping back to help on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":285947,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/04/2J4A0011_f68295.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-285947" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='295660' first='Marco' last='Meza']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"100","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='283654' first='Global' last='Football Innovation Academy']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-680d5bc973664"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Even though GFI conceded three goals when Meza was on the field in the second half, it would probably have been worse if it weren't for his performance between the posts. The goalkeeper was consistently demanded and responded well, keeping the Dynamo scoreless for almost 40 minutes. He was very exposed in the final minutes, when GFI basically gave up on defending, and still managed to make a big stop in the play that resulted in their fourth goal, being unlucky to see the ball rebound right at Munoz's feet. Meza also worked well with his feet and connected good passes out of the back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":285978,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/04/2J4A0107_17d612.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-285978" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->