5 Texas Goalkeepers Set to Shine at MLS Next Flex

<p>The MLS Next League is coming to Texas in just a few days as one of its premier events, MLS Next Flex, is set to take place at [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']' facility, Toyota Soccer Center, from April 23-28.</p>   <p>The final qualification tournament for the MLS Next Cup playoffs, the event will feature 304 teams from all over the country. In each of the four divisions (U15, U16, U17, U19), teams were split into groups of four, with the winners of each pool earning a spot in the playoffs.</p>   <p>The state of Texas will be strongly represented, with 19 teams from the Lone Star State being in the mix for the playoff berths in Frisco - [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC'], [program_tooltip program_id='283624' first='Capital' last='City SC'], [program_tooltip program_id='283639' first='Dallas' last='Hornets'], [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'], [program_tooltip program_id='283654' first='Global' last='Football Innovation Academy'] (GFI), [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] and [program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers'] all qualified teams for Flex and will be on the field during the six days of action.</p>   <p>Prep Soccer Texas will be in Frisco during the tournament, following the teams from the state and providing daily coverage on the site and social media. As we prepare for some exciting days of soccer in North Texas, let's take a look at some prospects from the Lone Star State who could be poised for excellent showings in the event. We begin with the goalkeepers:</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Elizondo-Lopez plays for the [program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers'] U15 team that has NEFC, RSL Arizona and SSA Swarm as their opponents in Group C. He's not as tall or long as many would expect for an elite goalkeeper, but he is extremely agile and technical and just as capable of performing big-time saves between the posts. Another of Elinzondo-Lopez's strengths in goal is the high level of safety and consistency of his game, as he rarely gives up rebounds when catching shots and claiming crosses. The goalkeeper also has good quality with his feet and distributes the ball very well out of the back.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0167_0f5adf.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-353535" /></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Gonzalez is one of the goalkeepers in the squad of the [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] team that will play D.C. United, TFA and Vardar SC in Pool T in the U16 Division. He missed some time this season due to an injury, but he is back in action and quickly returning to his best form. Gonzalez has a background in futsal, which gives him an impressive ability to make stops 1v1 and superior reflexes between the posts. He's very athletic, too, and uses his power to get to difficult shots in the corners and to make reflex saves in short-range shots.</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/DS3WYEOEWHj/ </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Reyes and his [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC'] teammates will face Strikers FC, Tampa Bay United and Connecticut United FC in Group C of the U16 Division in Frisco. He's been splitting time in goal with Dante Olvera, and the two give Austin a strong combination to work with between the posts. Reyes combines good size and length with impressive reflexes and technical skills, typically performing at a very high level and making very few errors. He's also a modern goalkeeper, who uses his feet well and is very comfortable on the ball, not forcing long passes and doing a good job with his distribution.</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/DXE-8zvCEd3/?img_index=10 </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Jordan is one of the goalkeepers in the [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] U19 team that will try to qualify against the San Jose Earthquakes, Weston FC and FB Bolts in Group N. His height is the first thing that stands out in his game, and he uses it very well in basically everything he does, from getting to shots in the corners to claiming crosses. Jordan is very agile, too, and his great reaction speed takes him a long way between the posts. He distributes the ball well out of the back and communicates well with his teammates, keeping the backline constantly organized.</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/reel/DWr719dibun/ </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Martinez and the [program_tooltip program_id='283639' first='Dallas' last='Hornets'] will have LA Galaxy, Minnesota United and FC Delco as their opponents in a tough Group M in the U19 Division. His excellent reflexes and solid technique allow him to make impressive saves between the posts, but when it comes to getting to the ball at very difficult spots and reacting to close-range shots. Martinez also delivers with his feet, showing calm and confidence on the ball and having solid accuracy with his long passes. The goalkeeper wears the team's captain's armband and is one of their vocal leaders.</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=X3Gd09QEyaM </div></figure>   <p></p>

The MLS Next League is coming to Texas in just a few days as one of its premier events, MLS Next Flex, is set to take place at FC Dallas ' facility, Toyota Soccer Center, from April 23-28.