The inaugural MLS NEXT Pro weekend featured two penalty shootouts, a free kick GOLAZO and over 6,000 people selling out Hermann Stadium in St. Louis, MO. Here is your weekend recap, by the numbers.
6,012: A sellout crowd in St. Louis
St. Louis, MO, has long been considered the soccer capital of the United States, and the CITY2 supporters showed up to back that theory on opening night. 6,012 people packed a sold-out (plus some) Hermann Stadium to watch the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro match between CITY2 and RNY FC. The home side prevailed, defeating RNY FC 2-0 courtesy of goals from Wan Kuzain and Vitor Dias.
23: Goals galore
There were 23 goals across nine matches, including four from the Tacoma Defiance, who sit atop MLSNEXTPro.com’s power rankings. Of the 23 strikes, only one came from outside the box on a set piece; our featured goal of the week.
1: MLS NEXT Pro Golazo
Houston Dynamo 2’s Marcelo Palomino lined up from distance and found the top corner of the net from this dead ball free-kick. The 20-year-old Houston, TX native said it was “an unreal effort from everyone tonight!” in a tweet he posted on Twitter. The youngster’s goal even made it to SportsCenter's social media.
5: The number of players that netted a brace this inaugural weekend
Orlando City B forward Jack Lynn scored twice to lead his side to a 2-0 win over Chicago Fire II. Just up the road, Inter Mami CF II’s Emerson Roriguez notched a double in their 2-0 win over Columbus Crew 2. Across the Gulf Of Mexico and 650 miles or so inland, 16-year-old Tarik Scott scored a late 11-minute brace to bring North Texas SC victory over MNUFC2, winning 3-1. Lastly, Revs II midfielder Damian Rivera scored a brace to secure his side at least one point after their match against NYCFC II ended 2-2. However, with MLS NEXT Pro, draws head straight to shootouts for a chance at a second point, which Revs II secured in a 4-3 win from the spot. Finally, Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez, scored his 2 goals for Tacoma defiance in their 4-0 victory over Real Monarchs.
16: The age of North Texas SC's Two Goal Scorer Tarik Scott
Speaking of Scott, FC Dallas affiliate, North Texas SC, brought on 16-year-old Tarik Scott in the 73rd minute of their match against MNUFC2. The FC Dallas academy product netted an 11-minute brace in the 79th and 90th minute to secure all three points for his side in his North Texas SC debut. Scott is the youngest goalscorer in MLS NEXT Pro so far this season.
Here’s the dagger from Scott in the 90th minute.
1,609: The days since RNY FC last played
RNY FC returned to the pitch after a four-year absence. The Rochester Rhinos, a famed franchise formerly competing in the USL, went into hiatus in 2017. Now, in 2022, soccer is back in northern New York.
With English Premier League forward Jamie Vardy leading as a co-owner, could the only independent side in MLS NEXT Pro become the most surprising?
2,407 and 200: The longest and shortest amount of miles traveled
Somebody give the players some streaming service recommendations, or a good book at least, because WFC2 traveled 2,407 miles to take on Houston Dynamo 2 at Aveva Stadium Saturday evening. WFC2 fell 1-0, but at least it was a worthy strike to lose to, with our goal of the week winner Marcelo Palomino sending a free kick home into the top left corner of the net.
Meanwhile, Revs II would be lucky to get through a single episode as they only had to head around the corner, 200 miles, to Belson Stadium to take on NYFCF2. A short trip, but a good one, as they claimed two points on the evening thanks to a 2-2 draw and a 4-3 win in the ensuing penalty shoot-out.
20.08: The average of age of players at MLS NEXT Pro rosters
With an average age of 20.08 years across the league, MLS NEXT Pro has proven to be the place for teenage talent across the world to compete. The youngest goal scorer opening weekend was North Texas SC’s 16-year-old Tarik Scott while the oldest was his teammate, 24-year-old Derk Waldeck. Talk about playing your kids.
