MLS Next Flex: Texas U17 Saturday Standouts

The top boys soccer clubs from all over the country and Canada are currently in Texas, as the city of Frisco is hosting the 2026 MLS Next Flex tournament from Thursday to Tuesday.   The final qualification tournament for the MLS Next Cup playoffs, the event features 304 teams in its four divisions (U15, U16, U17, U19). On Tuesday, 76 of them will have earned spots for the playoffs.   Prep Soccer Texas is following the action on-site in Frisco and on Saturday our focus was on the U17 Division, as we watched several matches in the age group during the day.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2026/04/mls-next-flex-saturday-photos-u17/">MLS Next Flex: Saturday U17 Photos</a></li> </ul>   <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/DXmXugMDrzi/?img_index=1 </div></figure>   During the day, we got to watch six teams from the Lone Star State in action, with five wins and just one loss. These were the Texas players who delivered strong performances in each of those matches:    Padilla Canales was one of the top players in the [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] team that tied Miami Futbol Academy Rush 2-2 before winning in PKs in Group T. The box-to-box midfielder scored the team's second goal in the match and also converted his penalty kick in the shootout. The left-footed Padilla Canales was involved in most of his team's attacking plays, moving very well in the center of the field and helping progress the ball with his excellent vision and accurate passing. He also worked hard off the ball, playing defense with great energy and doing a good job of winning the ball in the center of the field.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0016.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-356269" /></figure>    Guerra led GFI Academy in one of the most surprising results of the day, a 3-1 win over Inter Miami in Group Q. The attacking midfielder orchestrated most of his team's offensive plays, getting into great spots in the attacking half and distributing the ball intelligently. Guerra added to it by consistently getting into the box to finish chances. In the second half, when his team was down a player for most of the time, he showed great defensive commitment and helped initiate some counterattacks with long passes, including the one that led to GFI Academy's third goal.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0055_35e420.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-356281" /></figure>    De La Cruz was instrumental in [program_tooltip program_id='283624' first='Capital' last='City SC']'s 3-1 victory over Bethesda SC in Group J. The right wingers assisted in the first goal, took the corner kick that led to the second and scored the third in a very active and impactful performance. De La Cruz was consistently dangerous in the first half, repeatedly beating his defender off the dribble and making strong runs off the ball in behind the backline. The left-footed winger took his production to another level in the final 45 minutes, assisting midfielder Marcelo Perez with an inch-perfect cross on the back post and scoring the goal that sealed Capital City's victory with a calm and composed shot while facing Bethesda's goalkeeper 1v1.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0119.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-356300" /></figure>    Choate had a big impact in the [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo']'s 3-1 win over Springfied SYC in Group A. The forward registered a goal and an assist in the final 45 minutes, making big plays in a critical moment of the match. Choate played as a striker and got himself into a good spot to score in the first half, but saw his shot be stopped by Springfield's goalkeeper with a kick save. He started dropping a little bit deeper in the second half, looking to get more involved in their playmaking, and did a good job with runs and combination plays. He released the ball in the perfect moment to assist [player_tooltip player_id='211224' first='Keegan' last='Ahrens'] in the second goal and scored the third with a good finish inside the box.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0194_2aa68a.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-356313" /></figure>    Lopez notched a goal and an assist in [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC']'s 4-2 triumph over Albion SC Merced in Group O. The midfielder had a very complete and efficient performance in the center of the field, getting involved in a lot of what his team did. Lopez delivered good intensity on both sides of the ball and was very important with his ability to dictate the rhythm of plays with his distribution, while also appearing in different spots in the attacking half. His goal was among the most beautiful of the day, as he dribbled at least three defenders in a strong run through the center before sending the ball into the back of the net with a well-placed left-footed shot.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0206_e13712.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-356315" /></figure>    Vargas was [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']' most active player in their 2-0 loss to Sacramento Republic FC in Group F. Despite not managing to score, his team was on the front foot for most of the time, and the attacking midfielder was involved in most of the best attacking plays. Vargas was very direct on the ball and always looked to quickly move it upfield to try to hit Sacramento's backline while it was disorganized. He managed to get into the penalty box on a few occasions by making runs from the left side of the attack, but his teammates couldn't capitalize on the chances he created.

The top boys soccer clubs from all over the country and Canada are currently in Texas, as the city of Frisco is hosting the 2026 MLS Next Flex tournament from Thursday to Tuesday.