MLS NEXT Pro's Matchday 13 brought 11 Sunday games, to finish off a busy matchday including several midweek matches. The standings in either conference continued to take shape, with plenty of memorable goals and interesting matchups.
Let's take a look back on MLS NEXT Pro Matchday 13.
Crown Legacy FC (1) - New York Red Bulls II (1) (CLFC wins shootout 6-5)
Sunday kicked off with a certified thriller. Crown Legacy FC can thank Vinicius Mello for a game-saving goal deep into the game's 10-minute stoppage time. The strike, which was scored in the one-hundredth minute of action on a sweltering 90-degree day in Matthews, NC, punished Red Bulls II for conceding a man advantage in the thrilling conclusion.
The late equalizer set the stage for a 6-5 shootout that ended in favor of the home side and undid a 70th-minute penalty conversion from Red Bulls II's Ibrahim Kasule.
It also firmed up the grip of the Eastern Conference lead for CLFC, which ended the day leading by four points.
FC Cincinnati 2 (2) - New England Revolution II (1)
FCC2 maintained its formidable home form with a bounce-back win over Revs II. They were the beneficiary of an own goal, and Gerardo Valenzuela didn't waste the gift of momentum and sealed the win with his third goal of the season.
Revs II went down swinging, though. A stoppage-time goal from Jordan Adebayo-Smith was a positive sign, even if too late for a realistic shot at a comeback.
Philadelphia Union II (2) - Chicago Fire FC II (5)
Fire II continued their positive form and made the most of hosting both of their contests in MLS NEXT Pro Matchday 13.
Sunday saw a convincing 5-2 win over 2022 Eastern Conference Playoff contender Philadelphia Union II, and individual performances headlined the showing.
Both Sergio Oregel and Victor Bezerra notched braces to capitalize on Alex Monis' opener.
Their efforts combined to make goals from Union II's Luciano Sanchez and Boubacar Diallo non-factors in the impressive outing.
Huntsville City FC (2) - Inter Miami II (0)
HCFC is on a three-game winning streak (the longest in the expansion side's history) and maintained their positive form at Joe Davis Stadium.
Shaun Josah and Jonathan Bolanos go down as the heroes in front of another impressive crowd in the blossoming soccer city.
MNUFC2 (2) - Whitecaps FC 2 (0)
Two goals in a six-minute span allowed MNUFC2 to take all three points and hold Whitecaps FC 2 to a shutout. Emmanuel Iwe opened scoring in the 71st minute with a quick run forward and a powerful finish from just outside the box. Kameron Lacey converted a penalty kick to double the lead in the 77th minute.
MNUFC2 put forth an excellent attacking effort, recording 13 shots on goal and 23 total shots. Whitecaps FC 2 goalkeeper Thomas Hasal had 11 saves despite the loss.
MNUFC2 emerged from a three-game losing streak with the win. Whitecaps FC 2 were shut out for the second time in the past three games.
NYCFC II (2) - Columbus Crew 2 (3)
Columbus Crew 2 continues to move up the Eastern Conference table, this time grabbing three points on the road over NYCFC II. Gibran Rayo scored an 82nd-minute winner to hand Crew 2 the win.
NYCFC II foward Matthew Myers stepped up in the second half, scoring twice to make it 2-2. Myers' goals equaled Crew 2's Noah Fuson's two goals. Fuson scored in the 11th and 16th minutes to give Crew 2 an early advantage.
Crew 2 rise to second-place in the Eastern Conference, having picked up eight points in the previous three matches. NYCFC II fall to two losses in a row after a loss to Revs II previously.
TFC II (0) - Atlanta United 2 (0) (TFC II wins shootout 4-3)
TFC II Jordan Faria scored the winning spot kick and goalkeeper Luka Gavran made a crucial shootout save to allow the Canadian side to take two points from a strong defensive showing at York Lions Stadium.
TFC II is beginning to find its form, taking seven points from the past four games. ATL UTD 2 falls to a second shootout loss in a row.
Los Angeles Football Club 2 (0) - Sporting Kansas City II (2)
Sporting Kansas City II continues to pick up points, with two first-half goals allowing Benny Feilhaber's side to move into seventh-place in the Western Conference following Matchday 13.
Joshua Coan converted a penalty kick in the 17th minute to give SKC II an early lead. Ethan Bryant finished off a cross from Nati Clarke in the 37th minute to double the lead.
SKC II has picked up seven points from its last five games, while LAFC2 fell to a third-straight defeat.
Colorado Rapids 2 (1) - Tacoma Defiance (2)
Colorado Rapids 2's MLS NEXT Pro-record unbeaten streak ended at 12 matches, with Tacoma Defiance providing the answer to Rapids 2's prolific form. Defiance scored twice early in the match, with Stuart Hawkins striking in the ninth minute and Raul Miglietti adding another in the 17th minute.
Rapids 2 attempted to make an improbable comeback, with Blake Malone's 78th-minute goal cutting the lead in half. Defiance defended well and took their chances, winning the match having taken only two shots.
Defiance continued an unbeaten streak to three matches with the win. Rapids 2 remains on top of the Western Conference.
Austin FC II (4) - Timbers2 (0)
Sebastien Pineau led an excellent effort by Austin FC II to take three points at home in a 4-0 win over Timbers2 Sunday night. Pineau scored twice, while David Rodriguez also starred with a goal and an assist.
Austin FC II is on a roll, with four straight wins, and all of them shutouts.
Real Monarchs (1) - St Louis CITY2 (4)
St Louis CITY2 scored three goals in the first half and continued to dominate as it picked up all three points in an away match against Real Monarchs. Four different scorers took control for CITY2, with AJ Palazzolo scoring in the first minute of the game.
CITY2's Dida Armstrong and Sergio Rivas each came away with a goal and an assist. Wan Kuzain scored in the 42nd minute to put CITY2 ahead 3-0.
With the win, CITY2 emerged from a two-match losing streak. The club remains embroiled in a tight midtable battle in the Western Conference. Real Monarchs fell to a second straight defeat.
