Curiosity beyond the classroom. Leadership on the pitch. A perspective shaped by the world.
MEET MATTHEW ↘
MATTHEW ZILINSKAS / PLAYER PROFILE| Height | 6′4″ |
|---|---|
| Weight | 180 lbs |
| Reported top speed | 21.2 mph 34.1 km/h |
| Position | Center back |
| Preferred foot | Right |
| Club / Number | Solar Academy U19 / #15 |
Measurements supplied in Matthew’s athletic resume and Europe CV. Speed is resume-reported.
Watch the 21.2 mph run ↗First by points per game in the available ECNL Boys U18/19 Texas standings snapshot: 9 wins, 2 losses, 27 points and 2.45 points per game.
Standings snapshot: October 27, 2026. Checked November 2. Results since the snapshot may change the table. View latest standings ↗
| Date | Opponent | Result / Status | Matthew’s footage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 05, 2026 | vs. RISE SC | W 4–2 | ▶ Watch clips |
| Sep 06, 2026 | vs. Albion Hurricanes FC | L 1–2 | ▶ Watch clips |
| Sep 12, 2026 | at SAFC | L 1–3 | Flu |
| Sep 13, 2026 | at San Antonio City SC | W 5–0 | Flu |
| Sep 20, 2026 | at Dallas Texans Academy | W 6–1 | ▶ Watch clips |
| Sep 26, 2026 | vs. Real Colorado Academy | W 2–1 | ▶ Watch clips |
| Sep 27, 2026 | vs. Colorado Storm | W 3–0 | ▶ Watch clips |
| Oct 17, 2026 | at FC Westlake | W 5–1 | ▶ Watch clips |
| Oct 18, 2026 | at HTX | W 3–1 | ▶ Watch clips |
| Oct 24, 2026 | vs. Lonestar ATX Red | W 3–0 | ▶ Watch clips |
| Oct 25, 2026 | vs. Lonestar ATX Royal | W 8–0 | — |
| Oct 31, 2026 | vs. SOLAR SC | W 4–0 | — |
| Nov 07, 2026 | vs. DKSC | Scheduled | — |
| Nov 08, 2026 | vs. Sting | Scheduled | — |
| Nov 14, 2026 | at Tulsa SC | Scheduled | — |
| Nov 15, 2026 | at OK Energy FC Academy B2008/09 | Scheduled | — |
| Dec 04, 2026 | Opponent TBA ECNL SC · Greer, SC | Scheduled | — |
| Dec 05, 2026 | Opponent TBA ECNL SC · Greer, SC | Scheduled | — |
| Dec 06, 2026 | Opponent TBA ECNL SC · Greer, SC | Scheduled | — |
| Dec 11, 2026 | Opponent TBA ECNL Super Cup | Scheduled | — |
| Dec 12, 2026 | Opponent TBA ECNL Super Cup | Scheduled | — |
| Dec 13, 2026 | Opponent TBA ECNL Super Cup | Scheduled | — |
| May 01, 2027 | at FC Dallas Youth White | Scheduled | — |
| May 02, 2027 | at FC Dallas Youth Red | Scheduled | — |
| May 09, 2027 | at Dallas Texans | Scheduled | — |
Scores are shown from Solar Academy’s perspective. Published conference schedule and results from LeagueTables (October 27 snapshot), checked November 2, 2026. Missing results are marked pending. Clips are linked where the opponent and date match Matthew’s YouTube titles. Fixtures may change; confirm with the team. December 4–6: ECNL SC in Greer, SC. December 11–13: ECNL Super Cup. December event dates supplied by Matthew’s family; opponents and kickoff times TBA.
In its evaluation of Solar against HTX, Prep Soccer highlighted Matthew’s aerial presence, mobility, defensive instincts, and confident distribution — alongside his contribution to Solar’s second goal.
See Matthew’s plays from the match behind the Prep Soccer evaluation.
Prep Soccer · Solar vs. HTX · Evaluation available at https://prepsoccer.com/2026/10/ecnl-tx-u19-solar-academy-on-top-against-htx/ Select the image to read it full size.
Matthew brings together the commitments of a student, the mindset of an athlete, and the curiosity of a traveler. His story connects academic achievement, competitive soccer, and experience across borders.
Ranked 17 of 396 after junior year (top 4.3%), Matthew completed AP Calculus as a junior. National Honor Society, Academic All-State recognition, and a SAGE designation in mathematics reflect his academic focus.
NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETYA 6′4″, right-footed center back for Solar Academy U19 ECNL, Matthew brings DFB-Nachwuchsliga (German Soccer’s Top League) experience from SC Borea Dresden. His game combines aerial strength, recovery speed, vocal organization, and progressive passing.
DEFENDER / CLASS OF 2027A mobile auto-detailing business founder and Boys Team Charity treasurer, Matthew pairs initiative with service. His interests span business, finance, technology, travel, music, and visual art.
COMMUNITY & CURIOSITY
ON THE PITCH / #15Advanced coursework. A business of his own. A year learning to live in another language. Soccer is a big part of Matthew’s life — and there’s much more to the story.
Explore the student behind the player ↗
At Rockwall-Heath High School, Matthew’s schedule includes dual-credit macroeconomics, federal government, and English composition through Collin College; UT OnRamps Geoscience; and Statistics & Business Decision Making.
During 2025–2026, Matthew completed a U.S. online high school curriculum through University of Texas High School while living and training in Germany. His resume reports a 4.2 weighted GPA for that program and German proficiency at B2 level.
From 2023–2025, Matthew founded and ran a mobile auto-detailing business: developing service tiers, setting prices, scheduling clients, tracking expenses, and reinvesting profits. His academic interests include business and entrepreneurship.
Rockwall-Heath and FC Dallas ECNL feature in Matthew’s soccer journey, connecting his student experience with competitive development in Texas.
At 16, Matthew moved to Germany, balancing U.S. coursework with German-language instruction and academy training. He managed daily life independently and competed with SC Borea Dresden U19 during 2025–2026.
His international soccer experience also includes Gothia Cup trips in 2022 and 2023, Denmark and Sweden, Levante UD in Valencia, Spain, and prospect academy experiences in Germany and Austria. Each setting adds a new perspective to the same pursuit: learning, adapting, and improving.
Browse 30 photos from matchday and Solar Academy media day.
Golf is one of Matthew’s favorite ways to spend time outdoors. He loves traveling, too. With his family, he has visited France, Monaco, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Costa Rica, and many other locations. Soccer has also taken him to Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Spain, and Austria, and living in Dresden gave him the chance to get to know a place beyond a short visit.
Matthew has achieved Grand Champion status in Rocket League, where reading the play and working with teammates matter as much as quick reactions.
Matthew loves playing games with family and friends, including Catan, 5 Crowns, Poker, and other games. He brings a silly, playful sense of humor to game time and enjoys making the people around him laugh.
Follow the games, the work, and the moments in between — straight from Matthew.
FOLLOW @MATTHEWZ_SOCCER ↗Selected recent posts below. Open Matthew’s Instagram profile for his newest updates.
As Boys Team Charity treasurer, Matthew supports chapter financial administration and community projects. His volunteer experience includes Feed My Starving Children, Buckner Charities, Patriot PAWS, church youth programs, Vacation Bible School, and the YMCA swim team.