Matchday 11 in MLS NEXT Pro kicked off on Friday with Austin FC II ending their recent losing streak by shutting out Real Monarchs 3-0 at Parmer Field. Whitecaps FC 2 and Sporting KC II also squared off in Western Conference action at Swangard Stadium.
Let's take a look back on Matchday 11 action on Friday.
Austin FC II (3) - Real Monarchs (0)
Austin FC snapped their three-match losing streak on Friday night by using a brace from David Rodríguez and an insurance goal from Valentin Noël to defeat visiting Real Monarchs 3-0.
Both teams traded efforts in the opening minutes as Terron Williams and Rodriguez were denied early opportunities. However, Rodríguez delivered the breakthrough goal in the 38th minute, propelling Brett Uttley’s squad.
Rodriguez’s left-footed shot after a failed clearance by the Monarchs defense nestled into the bottom-right corner giving Austin FC II a 1-0 advantage.
Austin FC didn’t need long in the second half to double their lead as Rodríguez called his own number for the second time. This time, Rodríguez forced an error from the Monarchs backline before picking up a loose ball and slotting home his second goal of the night.
Noël iced the shutout victory in the 81st minute, receiving a pass from Christo Vela inside of the Monarchs box before slotting home his fifth goal of the season.
Damian Las registered two saves to earn his fourth clean sheet of 2023 and his first since May 7.
Austin FC II remains home on Matchday 12 hosting Whitecaps FC 2 on June 9 while Real Monarchs hosts LA Galaxy II on the same night.
Whitecaps FC 2 (1) - Sporting KC II (1) Whitecaps FC 2 wins 5-4 in shootout
Whitecaps FC 2 rebounded from a Matchday 10 shootout loss by edging Sporting KC II 5-4 in spot kicks at Swangard Stadium.
Levonte Johnson continued an impressive season by scoring his fifth goal of 2023 while goalkeeper Thomas Hasal registered two shootout saves to preserve the victory.
SKC II was forced into a major hole as leading-scorer Pau Vidal was substituted off with an apparent injury in the 14th minute.
Kamron Habibullah came closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half but SKC II goalkeeper Ethan Bandre denied the Whitecaps FC 2 forward in the 20th minute.
Ricardo Clark’s side kept their pressure on after halftime and it eventually led to an opening goal. Jean-Claude Ngando’s cross in the 58th minute was volleyed home by Johnson for his fifth goal of the league season.
However, SKC II equalized just 14 minutes later as Ethan Bryant slotted home from the penalty spot after Alenis Vargas was hauled down in the box by Mihail Gherasimencov.
Both teams tried to fight for a winning goal, but had to settle for a shootout after 90 minutes.
Ozzie Cisneros and Vargas were both denied by Hasal, who made similar saves by diving to his right on both attempts. Despite Gloire Amanda striking the crossbar in the third round, Whitecaps FC 2 successfully scored the rest of the way to claim an important two points at home.
Whitecaps FC 2 hit the road on Matchday 12 against Austin FC II while SKC II heads into a bye week.
