MLS Next U19: Defenders score and the Dynamo top FC Dallas

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, May 3, we were at the Houston Sports Park, where the [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] U19 team defeated [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] 2-1 in a match that had all three goals scored within the last 15 minutes.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2025/05/mls-next-u19-houston-dynamo-vs-fc-dallas-photos/">Photos: [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] U19 vs. [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] U19 </a></li> </ul>   Playing at home, the Dynamo controlled most of the actions in the first and were more present in their opponents' half. The home team managed to get a pair of nice shots on target, one with each of forwards [player_tooltip player_id='90004' first='Javier' last='Caro'] and Fadel Kone, but Dallas' goalkeeper Nicolas Montoya saved both.   Dallas seemed more offensively active at the start of the second half, but their task became significantly more complicated after forward [player_tooltip player_id='86671' first='Ian' last='Witis-Hughes'] was shown a red card in the 16th minute. The Dynamo pushed forward, trying to take advantage of the situation and had two of their defenders score. Center back Jayden Puna was the first, heading a free kick cross from midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='288461' first='Lalo' last='Estrada'] into the back of the net in the 33rd minute. Eight minutes later, right back [player_tooltip player_id='227214' first='Adam' last='Abdouh'] picked up a rebound inside the box and fired a well-placed shot in the lower corner to double his team's lead. Dallas got one back in stoppage time with forward Nyle Waugh, but didn't have enough time to go for more.   With the victory, the Dynamo got to 19 points (six wins, six losses, one tie) in the MLS Next League Central South Division, continuing in third place. [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] have 24 points (seven wins, two losses, three ties), and rank second.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match</h2>    The Angola Youth international had an excellent performance and played a major role in the Dynamo's victory. Playing as a right-sided center back, Puna did well in the physical duels with [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']' forwards and also displayed good mobility to defend in space and make key interventions. The defender was very confident and efficient on the ball, connecting excellent long passes out of the back and venturing into the attacking half to support his team's creation when the Dynamo were up a man. Puna also scored the team's first goal in a critical moment of the match by winning an aerial duel after a free kick and sending a well-placed header into the corner.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/05/2J4A0040_107142.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-286622" /></figure>    Playing as a wide midfielder on the right, Estrada was among the Dynamo's most efficient offensive weapons during the match. He combined very well with right back [player_tooltip player_id='227214' first='Adam' last='Abdouh'], as the two switched positions and looked for each other very often to create an advantage out wide for their team. Estrada attacked on the wing, sending dangerous crosses into the box, but also came inside, firing nice shots from outside the box. The midfielder assisted in the team's first goal with an excellent cross out of a free kick and was also very active defensively, making several tackles and helping control his zone.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/05/2J4A0029.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-286618" /></figure>    Abdouh was very active offensively and consistently appeared in good spots in the final third. With Estrada and him displaying great chemistry, the Dynamo insisted in playing through the right and managed to create many chances from there. The outside back did a good job of overlapping and getting to the end line to cross the ball, but also came inside on some occasions, having his teammate appear out wide. In one of those plays, Abdouh scored the Dynamo's second goal in the match. He picked up a rebound of a cross into the box and sent the ball into the back of the net with a well-placed shot from a different position, as there were several players standing between him and the goal.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/05/2J4A0014_898537.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-286611" /></figure>    Bruegmann was the Dynamo's most creative player in midfield and most of the team's offensive plays went through him while he was on the field. He displayed great quality and intelligence to distribute the ball, connecting many first-time passes and making great decisions when in possession. Bruegmann also appeared well in the final third to finish chances and had a couple of dangerous shots, besides finding teammates in good spots inside the box. He also displayed great determination and intensity on defense, coming up with many tackles and doing a great job of keeping opponents under pressure in the center of the field.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/05/2J4A0020_75ac1f.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-286614" /></figure>    Nguema anchored the Dynamo's midfield and was an important defensive pillar for the home team in a match in which they had the ball for most of the time. He used his physical tools to control the center of the field and was very efficient at shutting down [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']' attempts to build centrally. Nguema also worked well in possession, not keeping the ball for too long and finding good passes, even when under pressure. The midfielder had an important tactical role for the team too, dropping back to keep the Dynamo well-balanced when the center backs and outside backs pushed forward to support their offense.     Dozier had an active and efficient shift in central midfield for [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'], playing a central role in their buildup efforts. He displayed great chemistry with fellow midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='33382' first='Isaac' last='Romero'] as the two took turns dropping between the center backs and playing between the lines when their team tried to build out of the back. Dozier found good passes with his skilled left foot and also kept her errors very low. He also did well defensively, covering ground in the center of the field and making strong plays to win the ball.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/05/2J4A0010_f50335.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-286609" /></figure>    Montoya was very solid in goal for [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] and helped his team sustain the Dynamo's pressure for most of the match. He may not have made any highlight reel kind of save, but was consistently demanded and responded well, displaying confidence and reliability between the posts. Montoya was flawless when dealing with crosses and also made some nice saves in shots from inside and just outside the box. He couldn't have done any better to avoid any of the Dynamo's goals, as the first one was scored with a header from very close range and the second one was a shot that went in right next to the post.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/05/2J4A0093.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-286635" /></figure>    Waugh came in just a few minutes before his team went down a player, and he lacked company to make things happen up top. The forward played with great intensity in the final third, doing a good job of working with his back to the goal and keeping the ball in the attacking half, while also pressing the Dynamo's defenders. He scored the team's goal after he made a great run off the ball through the middle and displayed calm in front of the goal to send the ball into the back of the net with a soft shot. He also fired a good shot from outside the box a few minutes earlier, but put too much power into it, sending the ball over the goal.

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