MLS Next U14: Houston Dynamo and FC Dallas tie 2-2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The MLS Next League returned to action after its winter break, and teams from all over the country fight to get wins and qualify for MLS Next Flex.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Saturday, February 28, Prep Soccer Texas attended the Texas Derby between the [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] and [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] in the 14 age group in Houston. It was an intense battle, which saw the rivals tie 2-2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] U14 vs. [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] U14 - <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2026/03/mls-next-u14-houston-dynamo-vs-fc-dallas-photos/">Photos</a></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/DVY5vMdDsPM/?img_index=1","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"instagram","responsive":true} --> <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/DVY5vMdDsPM/?img_index=1 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playing at home, the Dynamo opened their account in the 12th minute of the first half, when midfielder Ryu Roberts made a great play down the left and played forward Lucas Moscon de Oliveira behind the backline. The forward sent the ball into the back of the net with a well-placed right-footed shot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dallas tied right at the start of the second half, in the fourth minute, when forward [player_tooltip player_id='334099' first='Kimani' last='Bruno'] beat a defender on the edge of the penalty box and fired a low shot right next to the post. The visiting team jumped ahead in the 17th minute, with defender Jeronimo Atehortua, who stepped into the penalty box, getting on the end of a cross and scoring with an excellent first-time left-footed shot into the upper corner. In the 29th minute, Oliveira found fellow forward [player_tooltip player_id='295641' first='Aariz' last='Syed'] with a pass behind the backline, and he hit the upper corner, leveling the score.</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":["319589"],"_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-69a5cf8c865b0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Oliveira was the Dynamo's most impactful offensive player in the match, getting directly involved in both of the team's goals. He showed calm and composure to score the first goal with a well-placed shot after a run behind the backline and impressive vision to find Syez with an accurate pass in the second goal. Oliveira spent most of the match at the center forward role and was a constant threat to [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'], making strong runs behind the backline and working well with his back to the goal. He also played some right winger for them in the first half, making runs and creating chances for his teammates, while also tracking back to help on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":351435,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0210.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-351435" /></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":"Frederico Knupfer","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2030","_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_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] Academy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-69a5cf8c866ee"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Knupfer had a solid performance at the defensive midfielder role, providing some stability to the team and solidness to their defensive system. His ability to cover ground was of great value for the Dynamo, which were on the front foot for most of the match and could count on him to win duels and stop transition plays when needed. Knupfer also played well on the ball, moving it quickly and efficiently and having a high success rate with his passing. The midfielder stepped into the final third on a couple of occasions and almost scored after picking up a rebound just outside the box and firing a shot that went a few inches wide.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":351444,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0236.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-351444" /></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":"Ryu Roberts","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2030","_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_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] Academy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-69a5cf8c8686f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Playing on the left side of the Dynamo's midfield, Ryu was involved in many of their attacking plays. The creative playmaker's game was a little bit inconsistent, but when he managed to use his dribbling to beat opponents, good things happened. Ryu was excellent in the Dynamo's first goal, beating an opponent out wide and feeding Oliveira with a timely through ball, and he helped create other chances for the team. He had a couple of shots blocked in dangerous spots and was very accurate with his deliveries in set pieces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":351456,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0262.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-351456" /></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":"Jeronimo Atehortua","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2030","_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":"101","_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_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-69a5cf8c86969"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Atehortua came in right after the halftime break and helped [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] raise their level, contributing to their much stronger performance in the second half. Playing as a left back, he added a lot offensively, using his dribbling ability and passing vision to make plays out wide. Atehortua was excellent when scoring his team's second goal, doing a great job of following on the play as it developed on the right and adjusting his body shape perfectly to fire a perfect shot. He was targeted defensively as the Dynamo constantly attacked his side, but he played hard and held his own.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":351459,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0269.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-351459" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["334099"],"_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-69a5cf8c86a48"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']' center forward, Bruno didn't get much on the ball in the first half, but made a big impact in the second half. He scored in the first real chance he had, showing quality to create space by dribbling a defender and serious accuracy in his shot. After that, the striker got more involved in the game, dropping to get on the ball and connecting with his teammates in the center of the field. Bruno also did well at attacking the space vacated when the Dynamo pushed forward in the second half, threatening their backline with strong runs on and off the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":351463,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0279.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-351463" /></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":"Stephen Shevkunov","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2030","_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_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-69a5cf8c86b32"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Shevkunov played the entire first half and part of the second and was very good between the posts for [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']. There was nothing he could have done to stop the Dynamo's first goal, and he came up big with some good saves, showing solid technical skills and superior positioning. The most impressive of them was getting to a shot that was about to go into his left upper corner at the start of the second half. Shevkunov also did well with his punts and long passes, showing nice precision to find the forwards in the attacking half and start quick transition plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":351437,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0219.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-351437" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->