The second week of MLS NEXT Pro action kicks off this Saturday with a total of nine games taking place over the course of the weekend. If you missed out on opening week, we’ll get you caught up while previewing what’s ahead this weekend.
WFC2 kicked off their season with a narrow 1-0 loss against Houston Dynamo 2 at AVEVA Stadium in Houston, Texas. Nick Dasovic’s side featured eight Whitecaps FC BMO Academy grads in the starting 11 and after falling behind in the 25th minute, Whitecaps FC 2 came close to evening the score on a couple of occasions. The Pacific Division team will need more intensity and accuracy to get their first MLS NEXT Pro victory in Utah.
The Real Monarchs featured the youngest opening weekend roster in MLS NEXT Pro last weekend with an average age of 18.7 years old. A lack of experience might explain why the Monarchs fell to Tacoma by 4 goals last weekend but they will be looking to bounce back at home this Saturday. Keep an eye out for midfielder Christian Nydegger who almost got on the scoresheet against Tacoma and led the offense by recording two of the three shots on target.
Sixteen-year-old Tarik Scott came off the bench to score 2 goals in 11 minutes to hand North Texas SC its inaugural MLS NEXT Pro win last Saturday. They’ll look to make it two wins in a row against the Defiance who is coming off a 4-0 win over the Real Monarchs.
North Texas SC goalkeeper and one of MLS NEXT Pro Players to Watch Antonio Carrera will have his work cut for him against a Tacoma offense that led the way in terms of total goals during the opening weekend. Defiance fielded a lineup of mostly young players on loan from Seattle Sounders FC and will look to continue to dominate against North Texas SC.
Toronto FC II will be making its MLS NEXT Pro debut by visiting FC Cincinnati 2 at the NKU Soccer Stadium in Highland Heights, Kentucky. TFC II Head Coach Gianni Cimini has spent the past 10 years working with the Toronto FC Academy as the Head Coach for the U-12, U-16, and U-17 age groups so he will be familiar with a lot of his roster since they have spent years working together. Ahead of Saturday’s game, Cimini spoke highly of former St. John’s University and Toronto Football Club 31st overall pick in the 2022 MLS Superdraft Goalkeeper Luka Gavran who will be commanding the backline.
FC Cincinnati 2 will be looking to bounce back after their opening week loss at the hands of Philadelphia Union II. While FCC2 had more possession and completed more passes through 90 minutes, it was unable to climb back after Union II got on the scoreboard in the 4th minute and then again in the 58th. While Head Coach Tyrone Marshall is focused on “creating that little culture” that is needed to win games, he will also be sure to emphasize more attacking play in the opponent's half as they only had 2 total shots and only 1 on target in the entire game.
This matchup has been selected for Game of the Week and an extended preview can be found here.
It was a South American duo that propelled the Union II attack last week as they cruised to a 2-0 victory against FC Cincinnati 2. Head Coach Marlon LeBlanc went with a mixture of experience and youth during the Union II’s first game inserting 5 members of the Union's MLS squad along 4 Union II signees and 2 Academy prospects. Keep an eye on the Philadelphia Union II high press to continue to yield dividends against Inter Miami II.
A second half brace from Emerson Rodriguez catapulted Inter Miami II over Columbus Crew 2 at DRV PNK Stadium last Saturday. Inter Miami II lined up with a mix of players on loan from Inter Miami CF in MLS, MLS NEXT Pro players, and one Academy player for his first ever MLS NEXT Pro match. If Inter Miami II is able to replicate their quick transition attack against a more organized Philadelphia Union II backline, it will be an entertaining game you won’t want to miss.
The only independent club in MLS NEXT Pro made history last week as Rochester New York FC visited St Louis CITY2 to play the first ever game in league history in front of a sold-out crowd of 6,012. Even though RNY FC lost their opening game, Head Coach Bruno Baltazar will have plenty to be excited for as his team led the game in possession (57.1%), duels won (55) and tackles won (12). With more time for training, Baltazar should be able to turn around this team quickly in an effort to get its first win.
New England Revolution II opened their inaugural MLS NEXT Pro season with a 2-2 draw against New York City FC II. Revs II earned an extra point after winning the first ever shootout victory in MLS NEXT Pro history by the score of 4-3. Homegrown midfielder Damian Rivera scored a pair of goals during his 79 minutes of action for Revs II and five New England Revolution II players made their professional debuts. Revs II will look to shore up their defense as they let up 16 total shots and 10 on target against NYCFC II.
In a game that saw 12 shots taken from the penalty spot, two in regulation and 10 in the shootout, NYCFC II fell in the first ever MLS NEXT Pro shootout. This shootout loss doesn’t tell the whole story as NYC II outplayed Revs II for the majority of the game and led 2-1 until the 70th minute when a costly mistake in the back evened the game at two goals apiece. NYCFC II will need to be consistent over the entirety of the match in their quest for their first MLS NEXT Pro win.
Orlando City B Head Coach Martín Perelman featured a lineup with six Academy players during their inaugural week 2-0 win over Chicago Fire II. One of the Homegrown signings, captain Wilfredo Rivera connected twice with 2022 MLS SuperDraft selection Jack Lynn to give OCB its first MLS NEXT Pro win. Orlando City B struggled to get past the Chicago Fire II high press during the first half but goalkeeper Javier Otero made several key saves during the game (nine total) to keep a clean sheet for OCB.
Both teams head into their Week 2 matchup searching for a win. Columbus Crew 2 gave a valiant fight during their game against Inter Miami CF II but ran out of steam during the second half. The keys to a Crew 2 victory in Week 2 will be accuracy in front of goal - Crew 2 had eight total shots but none on target - and better defensive transitions when losing the ball.
A 37th minute Justin Reynolds red card turned the tide in the opponent's favor during Chicago Fire II’s opening match and while they weren’t able to bring home a victory they had plenty to be proud of. Chicago Fire II had a total of 17 shots with 9 on target even while being down to 10 men. They were also able to keep close to 50% of possession and if it weren’t for spectacular showing by OCB’s goalkeeper Javier Otero, Chicago Fire II could have made it a closer game.
The last game of Week 2 features a game of opening week winners. Quakes II defeated the Timbers2 defense during their first ever MLS NEXT pro game and walked away with a 2-0 victory. Houston Dynamo 2, on the other hand, relied on an early contender for goal of the year from Marcelo Palomino to earn a 1-0 win.
While the 20-year-old Palomino stole the show for the Dynamo Dos, it must be highlighted that Palomino was also one of four homegrown players that started in the starting eleven with Brooklyn Raines, Juan Castilla and Xavier Valdez all starting as well.
Quakes II relied on second half goals by midfielders Nathan Scott and Eduardo Blancas to get the 3 points over Timbers2. Earthquakes II head coach Alex Covelo surely walked away happy knowing his team beat a Timbers2 that featured six first-team players and were able to keep the majority of possession while keeping a pass accuracy of close to 90%.
