Historically no stranger to MLS NEXT Pro weekly honors, Chicago Fire FC II take their first Team of the Matchweek selection on the back of a dominant 4-0 performance against Huntsville City FC.
Coming up clutch in both of Real Monarchs Matchweek 12 wins, Homegrown striker Van Parker earns his first Player of the Matchweek honor after scoring three goals in the span of five days.
In the Academy scene, Minnesota United Academy goalkeeper Keane Perkins' clean sheet in MNUFC2's 2-0 win over Colorado Rapids 2 makes him the MLS NEXT Rising Star of the Matchweek.
Read more about Matchweek 12's winners below.
Fire II were absolutely humming in Matchweek 12, posting their biggest win of the season to date.
A dominant 4-0 win was built on Mike Matkovic's side outshooting Huntsville City FC 15-6 and only allowing a single shot on goal.
Prized 16-year-old Homegrown midfielder Robert Turdean started the scoring in the first half, and was quickly followed up with more support from Dean Boltz and Darris Hyte to send Fire II into cruise control. HCFC coughed up a late penalty in second-half stoppage time, and French newcomer Tidiane Diawara showed no mercy when he tacked on the final goal.
A breakout week for Real Salt Lake's 17-year-old Homegrown striker.
Parker, on behalf of Real Monarchs, opened his professional account and let the good times roll across two games in Matchweek 12.
Starting with a brace that proved to be all that was needed in a 2-0 win over Colorado Rapids 2 at home on Wednesday, Parker got the match-winner in a 3-1 win at Whitecaps FC 2 on Sunday.
Signing his first-team deal ahead of the 2026 season, Paker is an RSL Academy product who decorated his resume with MLS NEXT Cup MVP, Golden Boot, and All-Star selections in his breakout season in the youth ranks in 2025. He also made a name for himself on the international stage, representing Canada in the U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
Posting his second clean sheet for MNUFC2, 17-year-old Perkins is putting together a breakout season.
He was called in to three save situations in Sunday's win over the defending Western Conference champs, and successfully fended them off to close May on a high note for the Twosies.
Sunday was Perkins' third start of the season, and he made it back-to-back clean sheets after being perfect in MNUFC2's 1-0 win at Sporting KC II in Matchweek 4.
