A busy MLS NEXT Pro schedule rages on!
Matchweek 12 wrapped on Tuesday, and it's time to crown the best performers with their honors.
Chicago Fire FC II put up a 5-0 scoreline over Columbus Crew 2, earning their second Team of the Matchweek honor of the season.
Staying in the East, Glory Nzingo earned his first Player of the Matchweek honor after scoring a brace that ensured victory for Carolina Core FC in a road trip to Inter Miami II.
Out West, Vancouver Whitecaps Academy winger Rayan Elloumi supplied two assists in a crucial road win for Whitecaps FC 2, claiming his first ever Rising Star of the Matchweek recognition.
Read more about Matchweek 12's winners below:
MLS NEXT Pro Team of Matchweek 12: Chicago Fire FC II
A 5-0 scoreline to exact some revenge on Crew 2 sent a statement in the East.
In a rematch of last year's Eastern Conference Semifinal, Fire II put up a dominant performance to keep themselves in the 2025 Eastern Conference playoff picture.
Naturally, the lopsided scoreline leaves plenty of talking points. Among them was the performance of 17-year-old Fire Academy Goalkeeper Patrick Los, who led the way for Fire II's first clean sheet since March. Another highlight were the five different names that were on the scoresheet for Fire II, showcasing the team's well-balanced attack.
Sunday's win adds to a four-game unbeaten streak for Chicago Fire II, who look determined to host playoff games again in 2025.
MLS NEXT Pro Player of Matchweek 12: Glory Nzingo
It doesn’t get any more crucial than supplying the brace in a 2-1 win.
That’s what Glory Nzingo did on Sunday as Carolina Core topped Inter Miami II.
Nzingo, a 20-year-old midfielder on loan from English Championship side Swansea City, struck in the fourth and 75th minutes to secure CCFC’s first win since April.
Sunday’s two-goal outing brings his season tally to four, tied for the team lead.
The win brings CCFC closer to the playoff cut line in the Eastern Conference. They sit 13th, while being only three points behind the cut line in the crowd of contenders.
The Honor adds to Nzingo’s growing list of 2025 accolades. He also took the Goal of the Matchweek honor in Matchweek 6.
MLS NEXT Rising Star of Matchweek 12: Rayan Elloumi
If the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Golden Boot race is decided by two goals or less, we’ll be sure to look back to Whitecaps Academy winger Rayan Elloumi’s huge Matchweek 12 performance.
Elloumi assisted scoring leader Nelson Pierre twice in a nervy 3-2 road win over MNUFC2.
Of course, the 17-year-old’s contributions went a long way towards the win, it also gave his teammate some cushion in the Golden Boot ranks.
Elloumi has racked up 225 minutes with WFC2 and scored his first goal of the season in their 5-0 win over the Tacoma Defiance on May 14.
