Matchweek 28 of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season was headlined The Town FC's statement home win over St. Louis CITY2, Alex Freeman's productive performance for Orlando City B, and Colton Swan's second MLS NEXT Pro goal for Colorado Rapids 2.
Here's a look at the top-performing player, team, and Rising Star of Matchweek 28:
MLS NEXT Pro Team of Matchweek 28: The Town FC
Don't look now but The Town FC are hitting their stride at the perfect time of the year.
A 2-0 home victory over St. Louis CITY2 on Sunday saw The Town FC make it back-to-back wins for the first time since July. The result also moved them to fourth place in the Western Conference standings with two matches left to play.
After a goal-less first half, Julian Donnery propelled The Town FC in front 1-0 in the 69th minute. U.S. youth national team midfielder Cruz Medina extended the hosts lead 11 minutes later, icing a statement win over one of the best teams in MLS NEXT Pro.
19-year-old goalkeeper Emi Ochoa needed to make just one save to preserve the clean sheet.
With only one regulation loss in their last seven matches, The Town FC are one of the league's current high-flyers.
MLS NEXT Pro Player of Matchweek 28: Alex Freeman (Orlando City B)
20-year-old Alex Freeman has been at the forefront of Orlando City B's latest surge up the Eastern Conference standings.
Freeman registered two assists on Monday in OCB's 3-0 home win over Chicago Fire II, earning MLS NEXT Pro Player of Matchweek 28 honors. The young full back has registered at least one goal or assist in each of his last six outings for OCB, totaling five goals and four assists over that span.
Freeman's headed pass in the 61st minute allowed Jack Lynn to give OCB a 1-0 advantage on home soil.
After Lynn set up Yutaro Tsukada 10 minutes later for a 2-0 lead, Freeman watched as his pass to Favian Loyola in the 88th minute hit paydirt to close out a 3-0 victory.
A U.S. youth national team player, Freeman has enjoyed his best season yet in MLS NEXT Pro. Now he will focus on helping OCB to a strong end of the regular season before hopefully enjoying a deep playoff run.
MLS NEXT Pro Rising Star of Matchweek 28: Colton Swan (Colorado Rapids 2)
17-year-old Colton Swan has continued to deliver for Colorado Rapids 2.
Swan scored his second-career MLS NEXT Pro goal on Sunday despite Rapids 2's 2-1 road loss to Houston Dynamo 2. The young forward has continued to play a key role this season and earned MLS NEXT Pro Rising Star of Matchweek 28 honors for his latest outing.
With Rapids 2 down 2-0 late, Swan cut the deficit in the 89th minute by drilling a right-footed shot into the bottom-left corner. It marked his third goal contribution over the last eight matches.
Although the visitors couldn't hang on, Swan was one of the livelier performers in the match, drawing a match-high five fouls and creating two offensive chances.
Rapids 2 will miss out on the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs this fall, but do have a rising talent in Swan to watch for the next few years.
