Dynamo U19 score seven in preparation for MLS Next playoffs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The MLS Next Cup playoffs are set to take place from June 14-22, in Nashville, Tennessee, and the teams that qualified to compete for the title are finalizing their preparations for the most important moment of their seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Sunday, June 8, the [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] U19 team faced crosstown opponents [program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers'] in a friendly match at the Houston Sports Park and produced a strong 7-0 victory in their last match before the trip to Tennessee. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2025/06/mls-next-u19-houston-dynamo-vs-houston-rangers-photos/">MLS Next U19: [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] vs. [program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers'] - Photos</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conrolling possession the entire time, the Dynamo first got on the board in the eighth minute, when forward Fadel Kone found the back of the net with a left-footed shot. In the 26th minute, Rafael Inojosa found midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='288461' first='Lalo' last='Estrada'] with an excellent pass in the middle of the backline, and he sent it home. Estrada scored another one seven minutes later, sending a beautiful free kick shot into the upper corner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Midfielder Faraji Ramani got an assist in the 17th minute of the second half, when he got the ball near the end line after a quick combination play and crossed it for forward [player_tooltip player_id='149383' first='Kian' last='Walsh'] to score. In the next play, winger [player_tooltip player_id='148223' first='Myles' last='Gardner'] took advantage of a passing mistake from the Rangers' goalkeeper to get another one. The Dynamo got their sixth goal in the 22nd minute, when Estrada sent a perfect cross into the box, and forward [player_tooltip player_id='90004' first='Javier' last='Caro'] headed it home. Another substitute, forward [player_tooltip player_id='280126' first='Sebastiao' last='Nzita'], scored the team's seventh and last goal, getting the ball on the left from midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='210655' first='Matthew' last='Arana'], cutting it inside and finishing with a low shot that went in right next to the post.</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_player":["288461"],"_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-68461d043f961"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The wide midfielder had a huge impact on the Dynamo's offensive production, scoring twice and assisting in another two of his team's seven goals. Playing on the right side, he connected very well with outside back [player_tooltip player_id='227214' first='Adam' last='Abdouh'], and the two made of their side the main source of attacking plays for the team. Estrada did a great job of switching the way he attacked the opposing backline, staying wide on some occasions and coming inside in other moments. He made an excellent run to get in behind the backline in his first goal and took the free kick with great precision to score the second. Estrada moved to right back at the start of the second half and didn't get to the final third as often as before, but was very reliable defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":288622,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/06/2J4A0052.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-288622" /></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":"Faraji Ramani","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_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-68461d043fa12"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ramani's high-energy game in midfield played a big role in the Dynamo's dominant performance. He covered a lot of ground defensively and was very firm and efficient with his defensive actions, getting countless stops throughout the match and helping the Dynamo largely dominate possession. The midfielder did a good job of picking the right moments to step up and press higher, winning the ball in dangerous spots in the attacking half on some occasions. He also did very well in possession, moving the ball intelligently and getting an assist with a great cross to Walsh after a good combination play down the left.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":288630,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/06/2J4A0070.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-288630" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["148223"],"_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-68461d043fa64"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Playing on the left side of the Dynamo's attack, Gardner was a constant threat with his high work rate and explosiveness on the ball. In the first half, he was a little bit isolated out wide, but still managed to create chances with strong runs and smart dribbling around the box. In the second half, he got more support from midfield and engaged in good combination plays. Garder was very aggressive with his press and was rewarded by scoring the team's fifth goal after winning possession just outside the Rangers' box. He ended the match playing left back and displayed good energy and ability to play defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":288638,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/06/2J4A0090.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-288638" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["149383"],"_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-68461d043faae"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The forward came in after the halftime break and did a good job of getting involved in the Dynamo's offensive plays in the second half. Walsh played as a center forward, but moved very constantly and efficiently in the final third, always offering a passing option to his teammates. He also displayed good ability to operate in tight spaces around the penalty box, shielding the ball to keep possession and connecting quick, intelligent passes. He made a great run to score the team's fourth goal, attacking the near post and beating a Rangers defender for the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":288640,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/06/2J4A0100.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-288640" /></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='319287' first='Azael' last='Ochoa']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_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":"Paetow","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers']","_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-68461d043fb37"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In a match in which the Rangers had a hard time keeping the ball and connecting consecutive passes, Ochoa was one of the few bright spots. A defensive midfielder, he did a good job of moving around his own penalty box to find pockets of space to get on the ball and connected passes at a high rate, both short and long ones. He was also involved in the team's best goalscoring opportunity in the match, picking up the rebound and firing a powerful shot, which forced the Dynamo goalkeeper into an excellent save. He worked hard and remained commited on defense, but couldn't do much against multiple attackers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":288625,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/06/2J4A0059.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-288625" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->