Columbus Crew 2 became the first MLS NEXT Pro team to clinch the No. 1 seed in their conference after downing Chicago Fire II by a 3-1 scoreline. TFC II ended Inter Miami II’s eight-match unbeaten run by handing the Florida-based club a 4-1 loss on home soil. Houston Dynamo 2 extended their unbeaten run to 10 matches by handing West leaders St Louis CITY2 a 1-0 loss.
Here’s your MLS NEXT Pro week 24 recap by the numbers.
Columbus Crew 2 clinches No. 1 seed in East
Columbus Crew 2 secured the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference after picking up their 15th regular season victory.
Goals from Isaiah Parente, Jacen Russell-Rowe, and Ryan Telfer helped Laurent Courtois’ side earn a 3-1 home win over Chicago Fire II. The result also extended Crew 2’s unbeaten run to five matches in league play, setting them up nicely for final matches against Inter Miami II and FC Cincinnati 2.
Crew 2 should be a tough out for everyone in the Eastern Conference when playoff time rolls around.
TFC II ends Inter Miami II’s eight-match unbeaten run
Inter Miami II’s eight-match unbeaten run came to an end on Saturday after TFC II picked up a dominant 4-1 result in Florida.
Reshaun Walkes scored for the fourth-straight match for Gianni Cimini’s squad while three other players also celebrated goals of their own. It was a great result for TFC II, which now moves six points clear of the red line in the Eastern Conference.
TFC II has three matches remaining in regular season action, starting with a home date against RNY FC on September 11.
Dynamo 2’s unbeaten run extends to 10 with St Louis CITY2 victory
Houston Dynamo 2 extended their unbeaten run to 10 matches with a 1-0 victory over West leaders St Louis CITY2.
Mujeeb Murana’s second-half goal was all Kenny Bundy’s side needed to exact revenge on CITY2 for a 2-0 loss earlier this summer. Andrew Pannenberg made five saves to preserve the home clean sheet, giving Dynamo Dos their ninth home win of the campaign.
Dynamo Dos have clinched a playoff spot already and will face Colorado Rapids 2 and North Texas SC in their final matches of the season.
Real Monarchs tie club-record for goals scored in a single match
Real Monarchs have scored four goals in a single MLS NEXT Pro match twice this season and both have come in victories over Timbers2.
Four different players scored for Jamison Olave’s squad on Saturday to lead Real Monarchs to a 4-2 win at home over Timbers2. Tyrone Mondi’s team-high seventh goal paired with first MLS NEXT Pro goals for Abokye Bikyeombe, Golden Mafwenta, and Bode Hidalgo led the way for a confident home victory.
Real Monarchs are now 5-5-2 at Zions Bank Stadium heading into their final matches of the season.
RNY FC moves to 3-0 against Union II to keep playoff hopes alive
RNY FC completed its regular season sweep of Philadelphia Union II on Sunday, downing Marlon LeBlanc’s side 2-1 at Subaru Park.
The victory came at a crucial time for Bruno Baltazar’s bunch, leapfrogging them over Union II and into third place in the Eastern Conference. It was RNY FC’s third-straight win over Union II in league play this season following back-to-back 3-0 results at home in May and June.
Ed Williams played the hero by scoring in the 93rd minute in Chester, bumping Union II to fourth in the East.
Russell-Rowe, and Kamungo add to goal totals in Golden Boot race
Jacen Russell-Rowe and Bernardo Kamungo have both signed first team MLS contracts this season and both also remain heavily in the Golden Boot race in MLS NEXT Pro.
Russell-Rowe scored his 17th league goal of the season as Columbus Crew 2 downed Chicago Fire II 3-1 to clinch the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. Kamungo netted his 14th goal of the season as North Texas SC eliminated MNUFC2 from playoff contention with a 2-1 road result at Allianz Field.
Both Crew 2 and NTX have two matches left in regular season play before the MLS NEXT PRO Playoffs kickoff.
Sporting KC II scores five goals for first time in 2022
Sporting KC celebrated its largest margin of victory on Monday after putting five goals past Colorado Rapids 2 at home.
Benny Feilhaber’s side rolled to a 5-0 win, the most goals that the Western Conference team has scored this season. Bakary Bagayoko scored a brace while Jack Coan and Jake Davis also celebrated goals of their own in the lopsided victory.
SKC II is eliminated from playoff contention but still could eclipse 30 points with a victory on Decision Day at St Louis CITY2.
Revolution II earn second home clean sheet in past four weeks
Jacob Jackson’s season-ending injury definitely hampered New England Revolution II’s chances for playoffs, but the team is still fighting to get over the red line in the Eastern Conference.
Maxwell Weinstein made two saves on Friday in a 2-0 home win over Orlando City B, Revs II’s second clean sheet since the start of August. It was Revs II’s seventh home win of the season, and one that moved them two points back of the final playoff spot.
Malcolm Fry and Italo both scored goals for Clint Peay’s side, leading the way past already-eliminated Orlando City B.
Revs II next travels to NYCFC II before closing out their schedule at home against Union II.
