In a week of tight scorelines all across MLS NEXT Pro, Atlanta United 2's dominant 3-0 performance stood above the rest for their first Team of the Matchweek selection.
In one of those tight scorelines, Houston Dynamo 2's 1-0 win over Real Monarchs, Pedro Cruz won the 'keeper's duel and added another masterpiece performance to his résumé. Getting this week's Player of the Matchweek honor is another milestone in the year he has been building out of the gate.
In the Academy scene, this week's MLS NEXT Rising Star of the Matchweek goes to Sportking KC Academy midfielder Kashan Hines, who stepped up for the dramatic game-winner for SKC II on Sunday.
Read more about this week's winners below:
With their first Team of the Matchweek selection, Atlanta United 2 snapped a three-game winless run in dominant fashion.
Posting a 3-0 scoreline at Chicago Fire II on Saturday, Arif Kovac set the tone early by opening the scoring in the fourth minute. From there, Ignacio Suarez-Couri became the star of the show, assisting Cameron Dunbar and Adrian Gill to build insurance as ATL UTD fought to close out the bounceback win.
A strong defensive effort only allowed four shots on goal, and only forced Goalkeeper Jonathan Ransom into two saves, making for a comfortable cruise to the finish line.
Cruz's seven-save clean sheet at Real Monarchs on Sunday for a 1-0 win was as good as a hat trick.
The reigning Goalkeeper of the Month and Goalie Wars champion has been on a new level this year, not allowing a single goal from open play through five starts for Dynamo Dos.
It wasn't for a lack of being tested on Sunday. Real Monarchs blasted 20 shots his way, and the Brazilian had a perfect performance in all of his save situations to keep his side unbeaten on the year.
Instant impact is the name of the game for any Academy player breaking into MLS NEXT Pro, and that's what Hines about as Matchweek 7 came to a close on Sunday.
Deep into stoppage time after fighting to get level with Whitecaps FC2, Hines delivered the game-winner for SKC II at the death.
The 17-year-old made his eighth appearance of the season, delivering his first goal when his side needed it most, and announced himself as a force to be reckoned with in MLS NEXT Pro's Academy player scene.
