Decision Day in the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro season was packed with drama, and the top performers this matchweek sealed their clubs' fate heading into the postseason.
FC Cincinnati 2 emerged as the big winner from Decision Day, earning all six points from two matches in the final matchweek of the season. A win on Wednesday and a massive 4-1 Decision Day result on the road over Orlando City B allowed Tyrone Marshall's squad to lock up a playoff spot after being on the outside looking in for several weeks.
In Wednesday's match, 16-year-old academy player Ademar Chavez scored his first two goals of his MLS NEXT Pro career. He helped FCC2 to a huge win over Eastern Conference top dog Red Bulls II and also locked up Rising Star of Matchweek 30.
For North Texas SC, striker Sam Sarver emerged as a hero in earning Player of Matchweek 30. Sarver's hat trick allowed North Texas to come from behind over LAFC2 and punch a ticket to the playoffs.
Let’s take a closer look at this week’s winners:
MLS NEXT Pro Team of Matchweek 30: FC Cincinnati 2
FC Cincinnati 2 faced a pivotal Matchweek 30 as one of the clubs vying for the final playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.
FCC2 passed the test with flying colors, earning a huge 2-1 win over New York Red Bulls II on Wednesday. On Decision Day, Tyrone Marshall's side didn't let up one bit in a 4-1 road win over Orlando City B.
Sixteen-year-old Ademar Chavez did the heavy lifting on Wednesday, scoring two goals in a come-from-behind win over Red Bulls II. On Decision Day, Stefan Chirila continued his excellent form from last matchweek with a goal and an assist. Kenji Mboma Dem followed suit with two goals.
FCC2 earned the seventh-place spot with the two wins. A total of six goals scored in the past two matches makes the club a formidable opponent heading into the playoffs.
MLS NEXT Pro Player of Matchweek 30: Sam Sarver, North Texas SC
Sam Sarver has had a 2025 season to remember. He finishes the regular season second in the MLS NEXT Pro Golden Boot race with 19 goals, with his final three paramount to the defending MLS NEXT Pro Cup champ's bid to defend their title.
LAFC2 led North Texas 2-0 in the second half, putting hopes for a playoff berth in doubt for North Texas fans. A 69th-minute goal from Diego Garcia sparked some momentum, and Sarver took it from there. Sarver scored a go-ahead goal in the 72nd minute, then struck in the 81st and 86th minutes.
Sarver's first goal, a forceful finish toward the back post from a tight angle on the right side, put the 22-year-old in the record books as the top single-season scorer in North Texas SC history.
The win allowed NTSC to grab the sixth spot in the Western Conference. Sarver entering the playoffs off a strong performance will surely give the top four clubs pause in choosing North Texas as a first-round opponent.
MLS NEXT Rising Star of Matchweek 30: Ademar Chavez
Ademar Chavez made his name known on Wednesday, scoring two all-important goals to allow FC Cincinnati 2 to win 2-1 over New York Red Bulls II and earning the MLS NEXT Pro Matchweek 30 Rising Star award.
The 16-year-old scored on either side of halftime, striking in the first minute of first-half stoppage time with a one-touch finish at the back post to cancel out an opening goal from Red Bulls II's Andy Rojas. In the 49th minute, Chavez made a dribble feint to lose a couple of defenders and finished into the bottom left corner.
Chavez finishes the regular season playing 609 minutes, building an outstanding foundation for his future. He moves forward as FCC2 have earned the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference and prepare for the playoffs.
