MLS NEXT Pro announced its Best XI for its inaugural season earlier today, which features Houston Dynamo 2 captain Talen Maples.
The defender led the team to 10 clean sheets this season and Dynamo 2 finished tied for the fewest goals conceded in the league with 22. The Dynamo 2 defense was particularly dominant at home where they allowed four goals in 12 matches. Overall, the team only conceded two goals in their final five matches and they closed the year with a 2-0 victory at home against North Texas SC on Sunday.
Offensively, the 23-year-old scored three goals this season, including the go-ahead goal in Houston’s 3-2 triumph over North Texas SC at Toyota Stadium on April 23.
Maples signed an MLS NEXT Pro professional contract with Dynamo 2 on February 19 and joined the first team on a short-term loan for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in April.
Dynamo 2 travels to Seattle this weekend to face Tacoma Defiance at Starfire Sports Complex at 9:30 p.m. CDT on Sunday, Sept. 25.
