MLS Next Cup Playoffs: Preview - FC Dallas U16

<p>After over nine months of action, the MLS Next season is about to come to an end soon as the MLS Next Cup Playoffs will take place in Nashville, Tennessee, from June 14-22, determining the league's 2025 champions.</p>   <p>The playoffs will feature 32 teams in the U15, U16, U17 and U19 age groups, reuniting MLS academies and other teams that compete in the league and rewarding those who got the best results during the season.</p>   <p>The state of Texas will be represented in all four age groups, with teams from [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC'], [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'], Global Football Innovation (GFI) Academy and the [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] making the trip to Tennessee to compete for the title.</p>   <p>In the days leading up to the tournament, we're previewing the Texas teams qualified for the MLS Next Cup playoffs:</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] U16</h2>   <p>The team from the academy of MLS side [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] ended league play with 27 points (nine wins, five losses) in league play in the Frontier Conference. Qualified as the second-best team in the division, the team from North Texas will have California's Sacramento Republic FC as their opponents in the Round of 32 of the playoffs in Nashville.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='114875' first='Zach' last='Wells'] and [player_tooltip player_id='148177' first='Saul' last='Rios'] are two great options in goal for the team. [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] have depth at outside back too, with Dominic Salm playing on the right and [player_tooltip player_id='148179' first='Anderson' last='Grimm'] and Zac Mumtim appearing on the left. [player_tooltip player_id='148810' first='Mark' last='Drygas'], Kaleb Panozzo and [player_tooltip player_id='148231' first='Ahmad' last='Odom'] are the main options in central defense. The midfield has Kyle Velazquez, Erick Vargas, [player_tooltip player_id='148187' first='Christian' last='Wygant'] and Sebastian Aragundi playing two-way roles, while [player_tooltip player_id='148000' first='Christopher' last='Cook'] and Pedro Dias are more offensive-minded. [player_tooltip player_id='148001' first='Jordyn' last='Eason'], [player_tooltip player_id='148224' first='Trey' last='Glosson'] and Austin Chukwu are the wide players in the attack, while Albin Angelo Williams and Diego Echevarria are the team's main goal scorers.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Key Players</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">A center back, Drygas is a key piece in [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']' defensive system. Capable of playing on the right or the left in central defense, he's extremely efficient and reliable, doing a great job of shutting down opponents who get into his zone. Drygas is physical enough to dominate the penalty box, but is also very smart with his defensive actions, always making the right choices and very rarely being put into a difficult spot. He also plays a big role in the team's buildup, displaying calm and quality on the ball to connect great passes out of the backline. Drygas has a good presence in the attacking penalty box in set pieces and, every now and then, scores one for [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'].</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/DIZUk8Uo6k_/ </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">A technical and intelligent outside back, Grimm does solid work on the left side of [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']' backline. Standing at 5'10", he has no trouble winning physical battles against most opposing wingers and is also quick enough to chase them and defend in space when needed. Grimm is not the type of outside back that will bomb forward the entire time, instead picking well the moments to support his team's offense with his smart passing and movement off the ball. The left back is an elite crosser, who provides great service and consistently sends the ball to the head of teammates inside the box, both during the run of play and in set pieces.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/05/2J4A0226.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-286682" /></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">A dynamic and versatile player, Wygant brings a lot to the table with his ability to perform different roles with [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] and deliver exactly what the team needs in each of them. Wygant can play anywhere across the midfield, providing intensity and defensive power when deployed more centrally and a strong and dynamic two-way game when appearing out wide. He passes the ball very well and is even better at making runs, even in possession or off the ball. Wygant also gets to deliver the final product in his offensive pushes, as he's very accurate with his crosses and also finishes chances at a high level.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqQO5x6V9rs&t=4s&pp=0gcJCckJAYcqIYzv </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">One of the most talented and creative playmakers in the entire country in his age group, Cook is the main chance-creator for [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']. An attacking midfielder by definition, he circulates everywhere in the field looking to get on the ball, occasionally dropping back to get it from defenders and, at other moments, drifting wide to attack defenders in 1v1 duels. Cook's footwork is some of the best in the country, and it allows him to create moments of pure magic when surrounded by multiple defenders, as he's creative and confident to make it past them, getting the job done more times than not. The midfielder also hits the ball very well in every possible way, being an elite passer, a reliable finisher, and a real threat in set pieces.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/C8Xvy4wvRjp/?img_index=1 </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Williams joined [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] mid-season after living in Europe and didn't make his debut until February, but has been a difference-maker for them in the last few months. A left-footed striker who likes to get involved in offensive plays, he moves extremely well in the final third and consistently offers a passing option to his teammates. Williams operates extremely well inside the box, but also does a great job of making runs behind the backline. He doesn't need much time or space to send the ball into the back of the net and shoots very well with his right foot too. </p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/DHPTfreJ4G1/ </div></figure>

After over nine months of action, the MLS Next season is about to come to an end soon as the MLS Next Cup Playoffs will take place in Nashville, Tennessee, from June 14-22, determining the league's 2025 champions.