Victories and Upsets Unfold: MLS NEXT Weekend Results Across the Nation

This weekend witnessed the clash between FC Dallas and Houston Dynamo across various age groups. In the U-17 category, FC Dallas triumphed over Houston Dynamo with a commanding 6-0 scoreline, courtesy of goals from Marlon Luccin, Joshua Torquato, a brace from Christopher Salazar, and a brace from Jaidyn Contreras, sealing a hefty result for the home team. FC Dallas U-17 now boasts a record of 13 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses. On the other hand, Houston Dynamo edged out FC Dallas 2-1 in the U-15 category. Mark Drygas opened the scoring for the home team, but Lukas Bruegmann equalized shortly after, and Sebastiao Nzita secured the final result in favor of Houston.Houston Dynamo U-15 concluded with a record of 12 wins, 3 draws, and 2 losses.

Chicago Fire dominated their matches against Sporting Kansas City. In the U-17 category, Chicago Fire secured a 4-0 victory over Sporting Kansas City, with goals from Divinci Huitron, Emir Herrera, Antonio Delgado, and Vitaly Hlyut. Chicago Fire U-15 continued to impress, earning a 3-0 win over Sporting KC with goals from Roko Pehar, Leon Smars, and Robert Turdean. Chicago Fire U-15 now holds a record of 14 wins and 1 loss.

Seattle Sounders U-15 achieved one win and one loss in matches against Real Salt Lake and San Jose Earthquakes. In the first game against Real Salt Lake, Seattle suffered a 2-1 defeat against the Utah team, with Javier Martinez and Reignen Magsino finding the net for the visitors and Callum Lyons pulling one back. In the second game against San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle secured a 1-0 victory.Seattle Sounders U-17 fell 0-3 against Real Salt Lake, with goals from Omar Marquez, Grayson Carter, and Chase Duke. However, the following day, the Sounders defeated San Jose Earthquakes 3-0 with braces from Leonardo Florez and a goal from Abad Vargas.

San Jose Earthquakes, in turn, traveled to Canada to face Vancouver Whitecaps. In the U-17 category, the match ended in a draw, with Rayan Elloumi opening the scoring for the hosts and Tomo Allen equalizing for San Jose Earthquakes. Meanwhile, in the U-15 category, Earthquakes secured a 4-0 win, courtesy of a hat-trick from Ike Wang and a goal from Will Ostrander.

Rising Stars of the 2009 Class

Pre-season also commenced for the MLS Next Pro teams. At the start of each year, several academy players join the second teams for training, and this time, four of the best prospects born in 2009 joined their respective teams: Mathis Albert (LA Galaxy II), Adri Mehmeti (New York Red Bulls II), Cavan Sullivan (Philadelphia Union II), and Omar Hassan (Tacoma Defiance). It is expected that these 14-year-old boys will earn their first professional minutes this year.

Cavan Sullivan, who traveled with Philadelphia Union II to Florida, got playing time in friendlies against Florida Premier and Tampa Bay Rowdies. Mathis Albert, for his part, saw minutes of play against the Danish team FC Nordsjælland. Both Adri Mehmeti and Omar Hassan began training sessions with their respective teams in recent weeks.

Mexico Continues It’s Search For Young Dual Nationality Prospects

Mexico continues to hold youth camps and scout for the best Mexican-American prospects. On this occasion, James Arteaga, born in 2007 and a player from the Los Angeles FC Academy, traveled to Toluca to join Mexico U-18. Notably, Matheus Reis, the Mexican-Brazilian player from Fluminense who was part of Brazil U-17 and won the South American U-17 championship last year, was also called up to the Mexico U-18 camp.

On Wednesday the 14th Mexico will face its counterpart from Deportivo Toluca and the concentration will end.