MLS Next U17: Dallas Hornets score big 4-1 road win over Rangers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All eyes in the MLS Next League this week are in Bradenton, Florida, where the MLS academies compete against teams from around the world in the Generation Adidas Cup. League matches, however, continue to take place in the country, delivering exciting matchups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PrepSoccer Texas continues to offer unparalleled coverage of the teams from the Lone Star State that compete in the Homegrown Division, bringing weekly content that includes match and player reports, Photo Galleries and social media posts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Saturday, March 28, two top Texas programs, the [program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers'] and the [program_tooltip program_id='283639' first='Dallas' last='Hornets'], clashed in the U17 age group at Hickory Slough Sportsplex, in Pearland. The Hornets started behind, but were ruthless in the second half, scoring four goals to win 4-1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers'] U17 vs. [program_tooltip program_id='283639' first='Dallas' last='Hornets'] U17 - <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2026/04/mls-next-u17-houston-rangers-vs-dallas-hornets-photos/">Photos</a></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/DWonUERDsDK/?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/DWonUERDsDK/?img_index=1 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rangers scored first, in the eighth minute, when [player_tooltip player_id='338110' first='Jeremiah' last='Frederich'] assisted fellow midfielder Matteo Geranton, who entered the box on the right side and fired a cross shot into the back of the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hornets' comeback started early in the second half, as midfielder Dayton Tran made a good play down the right and crossed to midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='335288' first='Julian' last='Cardoso'], who scored with a first-time shot in the second minute of the second half. Seven minutes later, Tran noticed the Rangers' goalkeeper out of the goal during a transition play and sent the ball over the top from a long distance to put his team ahead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the 30th minute, forward Jaden Ortiz made a play on the left and crossed to midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='338133' first='Joshua' last='Munoz'], who connected a first-time shot into the upper corner. The visiting Hornets got their fourth and last goal in the last play of the match, after forward Andre Gamez sent the ball back into the box after a corner kick and defender Ethan Rivas fired a low shot.</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":["335288"],"_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-69cd7ee491cc2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An attacking midfielder, Cardoso had a central role in the Hornets' offense. He was their main playmaker and did a good job of creating chances for his teammates, making strong runs through the middle and having great efficiency with his passing. The Hornets had a lot of space to hit on the counter after they took the lead at the start of the second half, and Cardoso explored it extremely well, progressing the ball quickly into the final third, picking the best passing options and releasing at the right time. The midfielder also scored the first goal in his team's comeback, performing a nice combination play with Dayton Tran and finishing it with an excellent shot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":354066,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0389.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-354066" /></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":"Dayton Tran","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_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":"IUniversity Prep","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='283639' first='Dallas' last='Hornets']","_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-69cd7ee491dd1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The midfielder made an immediate impact off the bench and was pivotal in the Hornets' comeback, being directly involved in the team's first two goals. Tran was very good at exploring the space and setting Cardoso up to score their equalizer, and demonstrated excellent vision to spot the Rangers' goalkeeper out of his spot and confidence to attempt a shot from a very long distance. He showed versatility, moving to the left back spot after a teammate got injured, and holding his own defensively there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":354097,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0472.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-354097" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["338133"],"_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-69cd7ee491e24"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Munoz played more to the right side of the Hornets' midfield and had an important role in their offense. He showed good vision and quality every time he got on the ball, connecting well with the players around him. Munoz was very active out wide, making good plays on the wing and sending accurate crosses into the box. He scored a beautiful goal by coming into the box to get on the end of a cross and connect a difficult first-time shot into the upper corner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":354064,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0383.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-354064" /></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":"Colter Edwards","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_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":"Decatur","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='283639' first='Dallas' last='Hornets']","_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-69cd7ee491eab"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Edwards formed a strong center back duo with Ethan Rivas, and the two had a great deal of success against the Rangers' offense. The defender was always in the right spots inside the penalty box and repeatedly cleared crosses, both on the ground and in the air. Edwards also thrived in physical duels, using his big frame to outpower opponents, while showing good mobility to cover ground. He was very composed and efficient with his passing in the buildup and even ventured into making runs on the ball on the left flank, showing good quality and vision.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":354086,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0441.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-354086" /></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":"Jaden Ortiz","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"103","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Faith Family Academy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='283639' first='Dallas' last='Hornets']","_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-69cd7ee491f2f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ortiz was an interesting offensive option for the Hornets with his high-energy game. He had the freedom to move in the final third and used it well to make himself available for his teammates, popping up in good spots and working well with his back to the goal. Ortiz used his pace and dribbling skills to make plays out wide and assisted in the third goal after beating an opponent on the left. He was also very engaged defensively, pressing defenders and dropping to help when his team defended in a lower block.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":354079,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0421.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-354079" /></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":"Matteo Geranton","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_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":"The Village School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers']","_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-69cd7ee491fb3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Geranton was the Rangers' standout in a difficult match for the team. He scored their only goal with a nice shot from inside the box and was very active on the right side of their midfield. Geranton would at times stay wide and attempt to beat defenders off the dribble, but would also come inside to combine with his teammates. The midfielder also did well in set pieces and tried to feed forward David Walls with good passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":354094,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0462.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-354094" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->