Matchweek 14 of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season was headlined by a dominant home victory by Real Monarchs, a first MLS NEXT Pro goal for Inter Miami II's Yuval Cohen, and a second-straight multi-goal performance from NYCFC II's Taylor Calheira.
Here's a look at the top-performing player, team, and Rising Star of Matchweek 14:
MLS NEXT Pro Team of Matchweek 14: Real Monarchs
For the first time in 2024, Real Monarchs have registered back-to-back victories.
A 5-1 beatdown of Sporting KC II last Wednesday helped Monarchs earn MLS NEXT Pro Team of the Matchweek honors. Ilijah Paul scored twice in the result while Beni Redzic and Sebastian Joffre also celebrated goals of their own. A Demarre Montoute own goal capped a dominant performance from Monarchs and ended a miserable result for SKC II.
10 days after handing Austin FC II a 4-0 defeat, Real Monarchs kept their foot on the gas to continue their surge up the Western Conference standings.
A midweek trip to Tacoma Defiance is next on the cards for Real Monarchs before they return home on June 30 to face North Texas SC.
Positive results over both teams would give Monarchs added confidence heading into July's schedule.
MLS NEXT Pro Player of Matchweek 14: Taylor Calheira (NYCFC II)
NYCFC II continued their winning ways during Matchweek 14's slate, riding the impressive run of form of Taylor Calheira.
Calheira scored twice in NYCFC II's 3-1 road victory over TFC II on Wednesday. Calheira now has four goals scored in back-to-back appearances, giving him seven in total for the season.
The 22-year-old boosted NYCFC II in front 1-0 after 43 minutes, finishing off a pass from Piero Elias into the bottom-left corner.
After scoring the breakthrough goal, Calheira doubled NYCFC II's lead only five minutes into the second half. Ronald Arevalo played distributor on Calheira's second goal, watching as the young attacker capped off a fast break.
NYCFC II would eventually add a third goal to cap the final score at 3-1.
Calheira won five duels, scored on both of his shots on target, and completed three dribble attempts, earning Man of the Match honors in process.
MLS NEXT Pro Rising Star of Matchweek 14: Yuval Cohen (Inter Miami II)
Yuval Cohen became the latest to carve his name into the MLS NEXT Pro goalscoring charts this season.
Cohen helped Inter Miami II earn one point in a 4-3 shootout loss to Columbus Crew 2 on Thursday. The 18-year-old came off the bench in the second half before equalizing 1-1 in the 73rd minute.
His long-range strike landed into the top-right corner, giving Inter Miami II a share of the spoils on home turf. Cohen was lively in his cameo off the bench, registering two shots, winning two duels, and completing three passes.
He now has six appearances on the season, a statistic that will certainly grow as we head into the summer schedule.
Inter Miami II visits TFC II on Wednesday, seeking a first regulation road win since May 26.
