MLS Next U15: Austin FC come back to beat FC Dallas on the road

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026-2027 MLS Next season continues to progress, and until June, the top boys' teams in the country will go against each other week in, week out, fighting for victories on the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Soccer Texas continues to follow the league in the Lone Star State, providing the best coverage in the region, with match recaps, performance recaps, photo galleries, and social media posts that highlight the hard work and impressive talent of local players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Saturday, October 24, [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC'] U15 visited [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] and returned home with a 2-1 win after starting behind.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dallas scored their goal right at the start, in the third minute, with forward [player_tooltip player_id='380184' first='Brayden' last='Ray'], who brought the ball inside from the right and fired a beautiful left-footed shot into the upper corner. Austin tied the game right before the halftime break, with defender [player_tooltip player_id='379879' first='Max' last='Leon'] converting a penalty kick drawn by forward Liam Smith. The game-winning goal was scored in the 74th minute, when forward Rayan Chibane sent a long ball forward in a quick transition play and forward [player_tooltip player_id='381725' first='Alexander' last='Kilpatrick'] overcame Dallas' backline in a foot race and converted a low driven shot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Game</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["416775"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6adfd6a6712a8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stokes was a defensive stud for Austin and helped his team secure a big road win over a strong rival. He started the match playing as a right-sided center back and was very solid in the backline, making stops inside and around the penalty box. Stokes moved to defensive midfielder during the second half and was instrumental in helping Austin deal with Dallas' late pressure, using his big frame to shield the backline and win duels in the air. He also took good care of the ball, playing good passes out of the back and managing to keep possession when in midfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["379879"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6adfd6a67130f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Leon spent most of the match playing next to Stokes in central defense and also had a standout defensive performance. The left-sided center back had a handful of interesting duels with Dallas forward [player_tooltip player_id='380184' first='Brayden' last='Ray'] and did a good job of limiting him with his great positioning and strong defensive actions. Leon was also very clean on the ball, quickly moving it out of the back after winning possession and supporting the team's buildup. His penalty-kick shot was excellent, as he sent [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']' goalkeeper the wrong way and scored with a firm shot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["335586"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6adfd6a671365"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Smith was very active on the wings and did a good job of keeping [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']' backline under constant pressure. Very quick and direct, he spent time on both wings and consistently got to the end line. Smith had his best moments on the right, where he was taken down inside the box in the play that led to Austin's equalizer. The winger was also very committed defensively and provided nice support to the team's outside backs by dropping back and helping them work off the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["381746"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6adfd71e180ea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Clark featured in central midfield and had a clean and productive game for [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']. He worked hard off the ball and, despite not being very physical, was very efficient defensively, using his smart positioning and quickness to dispossess opponents. Clark did very well on the ball, too, linking up plays with quick, first-time passes and easily breaking pressure. He also moved very well off the ball, constantly drifting to the right side of the backline to be an option during the team's buildup. Clark also did very well with his set-piece deliveries, generating good opportunities for his team in dead-ball situations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["380184"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6adfd71e1812b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ray played only the first half of the match, but was still easily [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']' most dangerous attacking player. Quick and athletic, he was a handful for [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC']'s backline and often required multiple defenders to be stopped. A former [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC'] player, Ray scored a beautiful left-footed goal against his former club. The center forward also made an impact with his movement, drifting wide and dropping to get involved in the team's attacking efforts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->