Orlando City B ended its four-match scoreless streak, knocking off Inter Miami II 6-0 Saturday evening at Osceola Heritage Park while a new overall points leader emerged across the league in Columbus Crew 2. Three standout attackers found the back of the net at least twice, with one scoring the second-ever hat-trick in MLS NEXT Pro, three sides extended their unbeaten streaks as they climb the table, and the fastest goal in MLS NEXT Pro history was scored.
Orlando City B ends 419-minute scoreless streak
OCB went into their contest with Inter Miami II Saturday evening on a four-match skid that saw them scoreless in regulation time of each contest, which wound up amassing 419 minutes. They made up for all four matches and then some in a convincing attacking display, knocking off Inter Miami II 6-0 at Osceola Heritage Park.
Four different scorers found the back of the net, with forward Jack Lynn scoring a hat trick in the process.
Points dropped, points gained: A new no. 1 emerges in the overall standings.
Columbus Crew 2 have overtaken Houston Dynamo 2 as the top-overall team across MLS NEXT Pro standings, tallying 21 points through nine weeks. North Texas SC is right with them at 21 points but finds itself in second with one less win than Crew 2.
Crew 2 knocked off TFC II 4-2 in week nine, improving their win streak to seven straight games and taking the top overall spot in the rankings.
North Texas SC knocked off Real Monarchs 3-0 Friday evening at Zions Bank Stadium, to stay neck-and-neck with Crew 2. Pa Modou-Kah’s side has won three out of their last four matches.
Three multi-goal-scorers, headlined by OCB’s Jack Lynn.
OCB forward Jack Lynn scored the second-ever MLS NEXT Pro hat-trick en route to their 6-0 win over Inter Miami II Saturday evening. Lynn found the back of the net in the 8th, 63rd, and 85th minutes to secure all three points for his side.
RNY FC forward Pedro Dolabella scored a brace to secure the only independent MLS NEXT Pro side’s third straight win. Dolabella notched his brace in the 33rd and 90+2 minutes, his third and fourth goals of the season.
Lastly, Josh Dolling notched a brace for St Louis CITY 2 in their 3-1win over Timbers2. Dolling found the back of the net in the 49th and 62nd minutes, scoring the go-ahead and dagger for his side on the evening.
Five, six, and seven: Tacoma Defiance, MNUFC2, and Crew 2 extend their unbeaten streaks
Crew 2, the new overall leaders across MLS NEXT Pro, extended their unbeaten streak to seven straight games.
Meanwhile, to the north, MNUFC2 is slowly crawling towards the top of the Western Conference while they ride a six-match unbeaten streak.
Minnesota United FC 2 is 3-0-3 since starting the season 0-2, with forward Aziel Jackson leading MLS NEXT Pro in chances created. They drew WFC2 2-2 Saturday evening but came out on top in kicks from the spot thanks to two impressive saves from goalkeeper Fred Emmings.
Six. Straight. Matches: Crew 2 forward Jacen Russell-Rowe extends scoring streak
Crew 2 forward Jacen Russell-Rowe scored for the sixth consecutive game this season in their 4-2 win over TFC II Sunday afternoon. The 19-year-old is the leading scorer on the team and is tied with Tacoma Defiance forward Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez for the golden boot with six goals.
Nine seconds: Crew 2 score the fastest goal in MLS NEXT Pro history
If you weren't paying attention, you might have missed it.
26-year-old wingback Marco Micaletto scored nine seconds into Crew 2’s match vs TFC II Sunday afternoon, finding the back of the net in a near-instant after the match began. The strike is the fastest score in MLS NEXT Pro's record books and will take something even more spectacular to erase.
Six shutouts: Defensive prowess takes over Week 9
Six out of 10 matches during week nine ended with one team securing a shutout, with 18 total goals being scored between the six sides.
Orlando City B secured a 6-0 win over Inter Miami II, with RNY FC, NYCFC II, and North Texas SC securing 3-0 shutouts of their own. Revs II knocked off FCC2 1-0 and Tacoma Defiance took all three points in a 2-0 win over Rapids 2.
