TFC II’s unbeaten run extended to nine matches after an impressive 2-1 road victory over RNY FC on Friday. FC Cincinnati 2 fought back to edge rivals Columbus Crew 2 in a penalty shootout, while Sporting KC II snapped a four-match winless run by downing Timbers2 at home. MNUFC2 claimed the result of the weekend after defeating Tacoma Defiance on Monday 2-1 at home.
Here’s your MLS NEXT Pro week 21 recap by the numbers.
TFC II’s unbeaten run extends to nine with victory over RNY FC
Toronto FC II’s climb up the Eastern Conference table continued Friday with Gianni Cimini’s squad downing RNY FC 2-1 at Monroe Community College.
Goals from Nakye Greenidge-Duncan and Rashaun Walkes helped TFC II jump up to second place in the East, leapfrogging both RNY FC and NYCFC II in the process. TFC II has taken points in both of its head-to-head meetings to date with RNY FC, setting the stage for a final showdown on September 11 in Canada.
TFC II has now conceded only four goals during its nine-match unbeaten streak, continuing to impress on both sides of the field.
Harris, Parente register first MLS NEXT Pro braces of career
The in-state showdown between FC Cincinnati 2 and Columbus Crew 2 not only finished with six combined goals and a dramatic shootout, but also a pair of first-time braces for two players.
Calvin Harris scored twice for FCC2 while Isaiah Parente also celebrated his first multi-goal performance for Crew 2 in a 3-3 result. FCC2 edged Crew 2 by a 4-2 shootout scoreline, claiming an important two points at home against the Eastern Conference leaders.
Harris and Parente came into Sunday’s match with only one combined goal between them this campaign, but answered the call and walked away with added confidence for the final stretch of the regular season.
MNUFC2 snaps Tacoma Defiance’s five-match winning streak
Tacoma Defiance’s five-match winning run came to an end on Monday with MNUFC2 earning an impressive home victory over the Western Conference leaders.
Aziel Jackson’s second-half equalizer paired with Sagir Arce’s stoppage-time winner helped the hosts down the Defiance 2-1 at home. It was a bounce-back victory for MNUFC2, which lost 3-2 to Tacoma back on July 17.
Monday’s victory propelled MNUFC2 into sixth place in the West, tied with both Whitecaps FC 2 and Quakes II on 31 points each.
Orlando City B posts first clean sheet since May
Orlando City B earned its most impressive win of 2022 on Friday, using a brace from Jack Lynn to down NYCFC II 2-0 away from home.
Not only did Martin Perelman’s squad knock off one of the top-four sides in the Eastern Conference, but they pitched their first shutout since May 21, using a seven-save performance from goalkeeper Javier Otero.
Lynn has remained one of the deadliest finishers in MLS NEXT Pro this season, taking his goal tally to 15. However, strong defensive performances will be important for Orlando City B to end the regular season on a high note.
Rapids 2 win third-straight shootout result, move to 4-1 in spot kicks in 2022
Colorado Rapids 2 were forced into spot kicks for the third-consecutive league match on Sunday but ended up on the winning side of things to move to 4-1 in shootouts overall.
A 5-4 result over Houston Dynamo 2 helped Rapids 2 extend their unbeaten run to four matches and move to 24 points this season. Robinson Aguirre scored his first MLS NEXT Pro goal for Rapids 2, while 20-year-old Abraham Rodriguez posted three saves in the result.
These two teams will meet one final team in regular season play on September 11.
Revs II ends seven-match winless run, post first clean sheet since May 27
For the first time since June 11, New England Revolution II celebrated three points on Sunday with Clint Peay’s squad edging Chicago Fire FC II at home.
Pierre Cayet’s second-half goal was all Revs II needed to earn a 1-0 victory in Foxborough, snapping a seven-match winless run and giving the hosts a first shutout in the past 10 tries. Not only did Revs II earn an eighth league win of the season, but they also exacted revenge on Chicago Fire II after a 4-3 defeat back on June 26.
Revs II have five matches remaining this season, starting with back-to-back road trips to Philadelphia Union II and RNY FC.
North Texas SC’s Bernard Kamungo stays hot with third-straight goalscoring appearance
North Texas SC extended its unbeaten run to three matches with Bernard Kamungo staying alive in the Golden Boot race.
Kamungo scored for the third-straight match in his side’s 4-0 home win over Real Monarchs on Friday, giving him four goals in his past three appearances. The 20-year-old now has 13 goals in 19 appearances for Pa-Modou Kah’s squad, leading the league in minutes played (1,737).
North Texas SC sits fourth in the Western Conference following Friday’s victory, seven points clear of fifth-place Quakes II.
Sporting KC II registers first home shutout to snap losing run
Sporting KC II snapped its four-match losing streak on Sunday against Timbers2, while also posting its first shutout at home.
A 2-0 victory at Mercy Victory Field handed Benny Feilhaber’s squad their eighth league win of the season and only a third on home turf. Bakary Bagayoko and Josh Coan both scored goals for SKC II, which completed the season sweep of Timbers2 in the process.
