MLS Next Cup Texas Team Preview: GFI Academy U19

<p id="block-620b6a9e-c4d4-4a8f-9b44-6bbee92730fa">The culminating event of the 2025-2026 MLS Next season is coming up shortly, as the MLS Next Cup is set to take place at the Regional Athletics Complex in Salt Lake City, Utah from May 23-31.</p>   <p id="block-483e7add-75e1-4b05-a213-86ca6370602a">The playoffs will reunite the best teams from the regular season, with 32 sides that qualified either via the MLS Next Flex event or league play in the Homegrown Division competing in a single elimination format in Utah.</p>   <p id="block-d2161841-3dc6-41f6-9bcc-28f383300632">Fifteen teams from the state of Texas will be in contention for the titles after achieving significant results in their seasons. We're now previewing each of them:</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">GFI Academy U19</h2>   <p><strong>How did they qualify?</strong> GFI Academy earned their spot in the playoffs through the MLS Next League. The team from the Houston area ended at the top of the standings in the Frontier Division, earning six wins (5-2 over Tulsa Greenwood SC, 8-1 over [program_tooltip program_id='321473' first='AC' last='River'], 2-1 over [program_tooltip program_id='283624' first='Capital' last='City SC'], 2-0 over IDEA Toros, 4-0 over [program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers'] and 3-2 over Albion Colorado SC) and one loss (2-1 against [program_tooltip program_id='283639' first='Dallas' last='Hornets']). </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/DX45-eHkSIh/?img_index=1 </div></figure>   <p><strong>What is their squad like?</strong> Max Rodriguez and Emilio Castellanos are the two goalkeepers on the roster. Andrs Karst, Alfredo Aviles and Atticus Solis take on the outside backs spots while Antonio Basile, Daniel Celis and Pablo Martinez are the center backs. Among GFI Academy's midfield options are Sebastian Faudoa, Amaggai Agbu, Carlos Martinez, Lucas Lopes and Josue Martinez. In the attack, they have [player_tooltip player_id='275229' first='Rocco' last='Alvarado'], [player_tooltip player_id='376898' first='Emilio' last='Balderas-Berg'], Agustin Zuniga, Ali Ibrahim and Enrique Tirado-Lopez.</p>   <p><strong>Who do they play in the first round of the playoffs?</strong> Washington's Seattle Sounders, on May 24, at 5:00 PM MT.</p>   <p><strong>Players to Watch</strong></p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Basile is a center back for GFI Academy. He typically plays on the right and stands out for his ability to defend the penalty box. Basile is very physical and takes advantage of it to dominate in the air while also showing impeccable timing for his tackles and to step up and block shots. A vocal leader from the backline, he plays an important role for the team in possession, too, showing calm and composure to distribute the ball out of hte back. </p>   <p><strong><a href="https://sportsrecruits.com/athlete/antonio_basile?video=6277678">Highlights</a></strong></p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Karst plays at a right back for GFI Academy, doing well in a back four or as a wide midfielder when his team uses a back three. A track and field student-athlete, he has the energy to run for days and is very active on the right flank for them. Karst has great pace to make runs behind the backline when going forward and solid resources to make plays and deliver accurate crosses into the box. He works hard off the ball and does a good job of keeping opponents under pressure when they step into their zone.</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=eXkBfRy_WAI </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Balderas-Berg is a talented offensive player with GFI Academy. He can play on the wings or as an attacking midfielder, always using his dribbling skills and passing vision to create chances. Balderas-Berg is very good at progressing the ball on the field, be it by making strong runs through the center or facing opponents 1v1 out wide to take the ball to the end line. A lefty, he's also a very good finisher and a constant threat in set pieces, either attempting shots on target or providing excellent service to his teammates.</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=gPd6nX6qK1g </div></figure>

The culminating event of the 2025-2026 MLS Next season is coming up shortly, as the MLS Next Cup is set to take place at the Regional Athletics Complex in Salt Lake City, Utah from May 23-31.