The MLS NEXT Pro editorial team, along with league personnel, announcers, and club representatives, voted to recognize the top performers across the league for the month of April.
Honors were awarded for Team of the Month, Coach of the Month, Goalkeeper of the Month, Rising Star of the Month, and Player of the Month.
Voting was based on performances in MLS NEXT Pro matches played between April 1 and April 27.
Here are the winners:
MLS NEXT Pro Team of the Month: Chattanooga FC
Chattanooga FC has been named MLS NEXT Pro Team of the Month for April following an impressive stretch of performances.
The club earned three victories during the month, including a 4-1 road win over Carolina Core FC, and climbed to the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
Forwards Keegan Ancelin (3 goals, 2 assists) and Daniel Mangarov (2 goals, 2 assists) have played key roles in Chattanooga’s hot start, while midfielder Tate Robertson has also made a strong impact on both sides of the ball after rejoining the club this year.
Defensively, Chattanooga FC has been anchored by captain Farid Sar-Sar and veteran goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic, whose leadership and steady play helped the team secure crucial results throughout April.
When asked what he was most proud of following Chattanooga FC’s strong run in April, head coach Chris Nugent pointed to his team's adaptability.
“I think it's the different types of performances we've put in. They've all been difficult games, but for different reasons,” Nugent said.
“To see how the team has adapted and shown resilience in various moments is really important. It speaks to our identity as a club. We want to be able to find different ways to win and stay competitive regardless of the circumstances. The guys have embraced that with different lineups and players stepping into different roles when needed. That flexibility and continuity have been really pleasing to see.”
MLS NEXT Pro Player of the Month: Osaze De Rosario, Tacoma Defiance
Tacoma Defiance striker Osaze De Rosario has been named MLS NEXT Pro Player of the Month for April after scoring five goals in three games.
“I’d just like to say thank you for the Player of the Month award,” De Rosario said. “I’m super happy and excited to be nominated and selected.”
The 23-year-old forward notched a brace in a matchup against LAFC2, two goals in a 4-1 road victory against SKC II, and another tally in Tacoma’s 4-1 home triumph over St Louis CITY2.
His consistent scoring lifted Tacoma into the top four of the Western Conference and brought his season total to a league-leading eight goals in just five appearances.
De Rosario’s impact has extended beyond MLS NEXT Pro, proving just as influential in Tacoma’s U.S. Open Cup run.
He provided an assist in the opening goal in the Second Round win over Spokane Velocity. He delivered the decisive strike in extra time against Oakland Roots SC in the Third Round.
With Tacoma now the lone MLS NEXT Pro side advancing to the Round of 32, De Rosario’s clutch performances in both competitions have made him one of the league’s most impactful players and a driving force behind Tacoma’s early-season success.
MLS NEXT Pro Coach of the Month: Jeremy Hall, MNUFC2
Jeremy Hall has been named MLS NEXT Pro Coach of the Month for April after leading MNUFC2 to a perfect start to the 2025 season, with all their wins, including two in April, taking place on the road. They are the first team in MLS NEXT Pro to win four consecutive road games to start the season.
MNUFC2 remains the only unbeaten team in the Western Conference and is quickly emerging as one of the early-season surprises.
“I think it's a good club recognition,” Hall told MLSNEXTPro.com. “If I was doing this by myself, I definitely wouldn't be able to do it. And I have some amazing staff that helped me out day to day, the players have been amazing, and so I'm just happy for the club, and hopefully we can continue this thing going.”
MNUFC2 currently sits fifth in the West with 12 points, despite having played three fewer matches than the Western Conference leaders Houston Dynamo 2.
A significant part of their early-season victories has come from a rock-solid defense, led by the goalkeeper rotation of Wessel Speel and Kayne Rizvanovich. The duo has allowed just three goals across more than 360 minutes of action.
Hall is in his fourth season with MNUFC2 and his second campaign as head coach. A former MLS and USL defender, he began his coaching career with Toronto FC’s academy in 2019 and holds a USSF National B License.
MLS NEXT Pro Goalkeeper of the Month: Pedro Cruz, Houston Dynamo 2
Pedro Cruz may be new to MLS NEXT Pro, but the 21-year-old Brazilian is already making a veteran’s impact.
In just his second month with Houston Dynamo 2, Cruz has earned Goalkeeper of the Month honors for April, standing out as a central figure in the club’s rise to the top of the Western Conference standings.
The shot-stopper quickly secured the starting role this season and has anchored a defense that allowed just two goals across three matches in April, including one clean sheet. His efforts in goal helped Houston earn a three-game winning streak over the course of the month.
Before joining Houston this season, Cruz developed with Brazilian side Ska Brasil and Série A club Bahia. He recorded four clean sheets in nine matches with Ska Brasil’s U-20 team before joining Bahia, where he made 23 appearances, won a U-20 state title, and debuted with the first team in a Copa do Nordeste match in March of 2024.
Now in Houston, Cruz continues his rise as one of MLS NEXT Pro’s standout goalkeepers.
MLS NEXT Pro Rising Star of the Month: Colton Swan, Colorado Rapids 2
17-year-old Rapids Academy forward Colton Swan is quickly making his mark in MLS NEXT Pro.
Swan has been named Rising Star of the Month for April after playing a key role in the team’s strong run, contributing to two match-winning moments across five games.
Swan assisted the decisive goal in a 1-0 win over St Louis CITY2, sparking a counterattack that set up Kimani Stewart-Baynes for the game winner. A few matches later, he scored a dramatic late winner in a 3-2 comeback against North Texas SC. This goal was Swan's third goal of the season, tying him for the team lead.
Swan was also named MLS NEXT Pro Rising Star of Matchweek 6, further cementing the Rapids Academy product as one of the top young talents to watch this season.
