The MLSNEXTPro.com editorial team, several league personnel, announcers, and clubs voted on the top performers across the league during April to declare a Team, Coach, Goalkeeper, Rising Star, and Player of the Month.
The voting process entailed performances taken from MLS NEXT Pro league matches from April 1 to April 30.
Here are the winners:
MLS NEXT Pro Team of the Month: Chattanooga FC
Chattanooga FC has been named the Team of the Month for April after delivering a sensational month of results in their debut MLS NEXT Pro campaign.
A 6-2 romp over Inter Miami II kicked off the month for CFC on April 13 as Jalen James, Alex McGrath, and Ethan Koren all celebrated goals in the victory. James registered his first hat trick in MLS NEXT Pro while McGrath added a brace of his own in the process. The result also helped CFC earn Team of the Matchweek honors.
CFC continued through the month with a 1-0 road win over Huntsville City FC before closing out the month with a 2-0 home triumph over fellow debutants, Carolina Core FC. McGrath delivered the winner against Huntsville City FC on April 20 before Jesus Ibarra and Milo Garvanian scored goals in Matchweek 7 action this past weekend.
Despite suffering a setback against ATL UTD 2 on April 24, CFC has jumped to the top of the Eastern Conference with 15 points earned and only one regulation defeat through seven matches. Their 15 goals scored are tied for the most in the East while their six goals conceded are the fewest in the conference and tied for the third-fewest in MLS NEXT Pro to date.
"You don't play for awards, but you want to do the work and do the best that you can," CFC head coach Rod Underwood said. "For me, personally, none of this happens without God. I'm trying to be faithful and to do my best work for our team. We're happy as a club to have this recognition in our first year and this early in the season, and hopefully we get a lot more.
"We're just improving game by game," Underwood added. "We try to be better every day. We want to work hard and make sure that we push in the right way and fashion. We always want to make sure we play together. One of our core principles is being unified on and off the field and making connections with each other on and off the field. We want that unity to galvanize our group and continue to move us forward."
McGrath has led the way with four goals so far this season while James, Ibarra, and Taylor Gray have also been influential this spring.
MLS NEXT Pro Player of the Month: Kamron Habibullah - Sporting KC II
Sporting KC II forward Kamron Habibullah is the MLS NEXT Pro Player of the Month for April after continuing his rapid start to life in Benny Feilhaber's squad.
Habibullah netted seven goals in four league appearances last month, leading SKC II to three regulation wins and a shootout loss to West-leading Ventura County FC. The 20-year-old forward celebrated only three goals during the 2023 campaign with Whitecaps FC 2, but since has taken his game to a new level with SKC II.
"I'm really happy for Kam, he earned this recognition for his performances this past month," SKC II head coach Benny Feilhaber said about Habibullah. "He’s been an integral part of our group and has adjusted very quickly to our team and playing style. I’m excited to continue to coach him and see his development grow with our group the rest of the year."
His seven goals are the second-most in MLS NEXT Pro to date while Habibullah registered hat tricks against both Colorado Rapids 2 and MNUFC2. He also found the back of the net once in a 4-0 shutout win over Houston Dynamo 2. Habibullah's impact helped him earn MLS NEXT Pro Player of the Matchweek honors twice to date.
A Canadian youth national team player, Habibullah has fit right into SKC II's plans this spring and the Western Conference club is certainly reaping the rewards of his production.
MLS NEXT Pro Coach of the Month: Benny Feilhaber - Sporting KC II
March didn't end on a particularly memorable note for Sporting KC II, but April certainly was a month to remember.
Benny Feilhaber earned MLS NEXT Pro Coach of the Month honors after leading his team to a 3-1-0 record in four league matches. SKC II scored 14 goals in victories over Colorado Rapids 2, Houston Dynamo 2, and MNUFC2. Although they fell 10-9 in a shootout to Ventura County FC on April 20, Feilhaber's men pushed the West leaders to the brink and still walked away with one point from their trip to California.
"This recognition must be shared with our entire staff," Feilhaber said when asked about Coach of the Month honor. "We have a small group that gets a lot accomplished and it’s a real testimony to the work that each staff member does in order to find this level of success.
"I’m very pleased with the direction our team has been going in," he added. "It feels like we’ve improved each and every game. The players are bought in and continue to work together and there’s a very good vibe amongst our players and staff."
Feilhaber has gotten immediate production from attackers Kamron Habibullah and Roberto Avila this spring, as the duo has combined for 10 goals so far. SKC II's 18 goals in total this season are the most scored in MLS NEXT Pro to date, showing that Feilhaber's system has been much more effective in 2024.
With a four-match unbeaten run under their belts, SKC II will resume a three-match homestand on Matchweek 8 against North Texas SC.
MLS NEXT Pro Goalkeeper of the Month: Brady Scott - Ventura County FC
Ventura County FC goalkeeper Brady Scott is the MLS NEXT Pro Goalkeeper of the Month for April after helping his club remain top of the Western Conference.
Scott, 24, made the move to VCFC this past offseason and has been their starter this spring. He helped VCFC earn seven points out of a possible 12 in April, playing key roles in shootout wins over Sporting KC II and Austin FC II.
The former U.S. youth national team goalkeeper made seven saves in four appearances last month, helping VCFC stay as one of the toughest sides to defeat in regulation.
"I think it's great for Brady," Ventura County FC head coach Matt Taylor said about Scott's honor. "He has put together some really good performances and is a great asset to his team, both on and off the field with his leadership and the way he has mentored the younger players has really helped the team at this point."
After spending the last two seasons with Columbus Crew 2, Scott has found a new home with VCFC and will be eager in helping them continue onward this season.
MLS NEXT Pro Rising Star of the Month: Eddy Davis - Philadelphia Union II
Make it back-to-back monthly honors for 17-year-old Eddy Davis.
Davis was named MLS NEXT Pro Rising Star of the Month for April after contributing two goals in four appearances for Philadelphia Union II. Davis scored two goals during March's schedule and proceeded to follow that up with two additional goals this past month.
“Eddy's dedication both on and off the field is paying off," Union II head coach Marlon LeBlanc said. "He’s part of a young group, and we’re confident that he's only scratching the surface of his potential.
"This recognition reflects the work of our entire staff," he added. "We have a small group that gets a lot accomplished and it’s a real testimony to the work that each staff member does in order to find this level of success. I’m very pleased with the direction our team has been going in. It feels like we’ve improved each and every game. The players are bought in and continue to work together and there’s a very good vibe amongst our players and staff."
The young forward scored once in Union II's 5-0 romp over ATL UTD 2 on April 15 before also scoring the tying goal in an eventual 4-2 shootout victory over New York Red Bulls II on April 21. Davis has logged 262 minutes of playing time over the past month as Union II earned seven points out of a possible 12 in four matches.
He's also earned MLS NEXT Pro Rising Star of the Matchweek on two occasions this year and very well could be in the mix again by season's end.
With plenty of young talent alongside him, Davis has certainly shined for Union II so far this season.
