One third of the season in the books, and it looks like it's going to be a Western Conference title race for the ages.
Taking the spoils in a dominant 4-1 fashion, Houston Dynamo 2 made a statement in their first swipe at St Louis CITY2 on Saturday. With the win, they stand alone as the only unbeaten in the West. Passing the test in their six-pointer adds another Team of the Matchweek selection to their résumé.
Also in that Western Conference race, Earthquakes II grabbed a big 6-1 win over Whitecaps FC 2, and winger Shane de Flores keeps Player of the Matchweek honors in the Bay Area, following Gabriel Bracken Serra in Matchweek 9.
The Orlando City SC Academy also continues to shine. Goalkeeper Luca Maxim's clean sheet for Orlando City B was enough to bring home the club's third MLS NEXT Rising Star of the Matchweek in 2026.
Read more about Matchweek 10's winners below.
The reigning MLS NEXT Pro Team of the Month lived up to their billing as they handed perennial powerhouse St Louis CITY2 their first loss of the season. Also, the first regular-season loss at Energizer Park since April 9 of last year.
Shaking off a 29th-minute concession, only the third from open play all year, Dynamo Dos responded with four unanswered goals.
16-year-old Homegrown midfielder Mattheo Dimarelli kick-started the comeback with a Goal of the Matchweek entry to draw level at the half. Noah Betancourt gained the lead in the 62nd minute, and additions from JJ Bell and Austin Brummett put the game out of reach.
The hefty win keeps Dynamo Dos unbeaten on the season and moves them to the top of the Western Conference.
The credit could go many ways in Earthquakes II's tectonic 6-1 win over Whitecaps FC2.
But finishing is the most coveted skill in the sport, and de Flores takes the cake with both of his goals being incredibly timely in the big win.
Following the opener from his opposite wing in Zach Bohane, de Flores made it 2-0 in the eighth minute to set the tone for the comfortable win.
WFC2, down 5-0, eventually got on the board in the 70th minute, but any thoughts of a heroic comeback were quickly quashed when de Flores ruthlessly finished his brace six minutes later.
The 22-year-old Stanford grad signed with Quakes II as a free agent ahead of the 2026 campaign and has already contributed three goals through his first eight matches.
A clean sheet against a regional rival is always something to celebrate. Maxim was only forced into three saves in Sunday's 2-0 win over Atlanta United 2, but expertly handled each to make it a perfect win for Orlando City B.
The 18-year-old Academy 'keeper came up clutch in his first pro start, extending OCB's unbeaten streak to four.
Maxim, an Orlando native, recently announced his commitment to Georgia Southern University and will continue his soccer career as an Eagle under experienced head coach Lee Squires.
