MLS Next Cup Playoffs: Preview - FC Dallas U17

<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'] U17</h2>   <p>The team from the [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] academy ranked second in the Frontier Division in league play, getting 38 points, with 12 wins, two losses and two ties. Qualified for the playoffs as the second-best team in the Conference, the team from North Texas will face New Jersey's Players Development Academy (PDA) in the Round of 32 in Nashville.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='90923' first='Josue' last='Fuentes'] and Alan Ortega are the goalkeepers in the [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] team. Wyatt Easterly, Ninor Olu, Christian Hernandez and [player_tooltip player_id='226594' first='Gavin' last='Vo'], who can also play as a left back or in midfield, are the options in central defense. The outside back spots are taken by [player_tooltip player_id='16627' first='Pietro' last='Moreira'] and [player_tooltip player_id='286814' first='Luke' last='Martey'], on the right, and Bruno Luna, on the left. [player_tooltip player_id='226591' first='Ougir' last='Vega Velazquez'], [player_tooltip player_id='90918' first='Matthew' last='Razo'], [player_tooltip player_id='88587' first='Kevin' last='Rodriguez'] and Gio Alvarez occupy the central midfield. In attack, Austin Chukwu, [player_tooltip player_id='88509' first='Pierre' last='Mazzawi'] and Pietro Orlandelli appear on the wings, with [player_tooltip player_id='167846' first='Caleb' last='Wegman'], [player_tooltip player_id='88507' first='Tadesse' last='Hart'] and Jaxon Meesen playing the striker role.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Key Players</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Fuentes is the starting goalkeeper for the [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] team. A Honduran Youth international, he has very solid technical skills and is an excellent shot-stopper, who very rarely spills balls or gives up rebounds in his saves. Another of Fuentes' strengths is controlling the penalty box in the air, as he navigates it very smoothly and is very firm and confident when getting off the ground and going for the ball. The goalkeeper is also very comfortable with the ball at his feet, taking his time in possession and showing quality to connect passes out of the back.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/04/2J4A0296.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-286198" /></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">A center back with interesting physical skills, Olu moved up from [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']' U16 team to their U17 side during the season. A lefty, he can also play as an outside, bringing some flexibility to the team. Olu is excellent at keeping opponents under pressure, staying close to them at all times, and his long legs make him very hard to beat in space or when defending in wide spots. The center back is comfortable on the ball as well, connecting good passes out of the back and even pushing the ball forward with runs through the middle of the field.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/IMG_8261.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-264400" /></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">A technical and intelligent player, Luna is the starting left back for [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']. His solid skill set makes him appear very well on both sides of the ball, contributing to the team's playing system in different ways. A team that heavily relies on crosses to create chances and score goals, Dallas have in Luna an expert in that skill, as he's capable of sending accurate balls into the box even if he doesn't get to the end line to do it. Offensively, he thrives by making the right choices with the ball, using his intelligent first touch to beat defenders and create space, and often finding teammates in great spots with diagonal, direct passes. Luna also holds his own defensively, playing hard and winning duels at a high rate.</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=Zn0MpQ6Re9E </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">[program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']' utility player Vo is a key player for them with his ability to step into different roles and deliver high-level performances. Capable of playing in midfield and on the backline, either as a center or a left back, he seamlessly transitions from one position to the other during matches thanks to his high soccer IQ. Despite not being super physical, Vo is extremely solid defensively, reading plays very well and stepping up to intercept passes. The midfielder also has tremendous quality in his left foot and passes the ball with great efficiency, breaking lines and finding teammates in good spots with long balls.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">A towering center forward, Wegman is the focal point of [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']' offense. He's absolutely dominant in the air and scores goals in bunches with his head, but, more than his height, it's his intelligent positioning inside the box that allows him to consistently get on the end of crosses and finish chances. An excellent finisher, he scores in first-time shots very often and what stands out the most about his game is how efficient he is, consistently being impactful and deciding matches for his team. Wegman also contributes to the team's playmaking, occupying multiple defenders and working very well with his back to the goal as he connects with his teammates in the final third.</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/DGuPu0UuiJJ/ </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.