The race to secure playoff positions is on.
In one of the biggest head-to-head clashes of Matchweek 20, Tacoma Defiance topped Real Monarchs 4-2 in a true six-pointer. The big win earns them their first Team of the Matchweek selection of the season.
Similar scenes in Connecticut with expansion side CT United FC working on a playoff bid in their inaugural season. They took down defending MLS NEXT Pro Cup champs Red Bull New York II behind a brace from midfielder Dylan Lacy, who earns the nod for Player of the Matchweek.
The dream season for Columbus Crew Academy striker Jamil Danjaji, who opened his professional account in Crew 2's big win over Philadelphia Union II, earning the MLS NEXT Rising Star of Matchweek nod
Read more about Matchweek 20's winners below.
The Defiance came away with a huge road win in an absolute goalfest.
Conceding in the ninth minute, they regenerated for a dominant response. Midfielder Charlie Gaffney kick-started the comeback in the 35th minute, and striker Mark Bronnik followed with a Goal of the Matchweek-worthy golazo minutes later. He struck again in the 50th minute and played helper for Rafael Jauregui's goal to seal the win moments after.
A late lapse made it 4-2, but Tacoma stayed strong to close it out from there.
With the win, the Defiance sit in ninth place in the Western Conference, only one point out of a playoff position.
CT United's torrid run of form continued through Matchweek 20.
This time, it was midfielder Dylan Lacy taking center stage, scoring timely goals in a huge 2-1 win over new regional rival RBNY II.
He struck first from outside the box in the second minute, and made a perfectly timed run and isolated finish in second-half stoppage time for the thrilling game-winner.
The brace brings his season tally to 4g/1a, tied for third on the team in goal contributions.
Lacy, 21, was originally a Philadelphia Union Academy player before journeying to the RBNY and FC Dallas Academies. He went pro in 2023 with North Texas SC and was part of their MLS NEXT Pro Cup in 2024. He joined CT United ahead of this season after an amateur stint with West Chester United in 2025.
Do the Columbus Crew have their next great striker?
Crew 2 is traditionally the proving ground, and stars like Jacen Russell-Rowe and recent Homegrown signing Chase Adams might have built something of a lineage, and Jamir Danjaji lived up to the moment in his first professional start.
Against one of the toughest defenses in the East, he found a breakthrough in the 32nd minute for his professional account opener that opened the door for a big 2-0 win over Union II. Helping put three more points in the bank, the win kept Crew 2 at the top of the Eastern Conference standings, where they're looking like a lock for a pick-your-opponent benefit.
Danjaji, 16, helped the Columbus Crew U-19s win the Homegrown final at MLS NEXT Cup last month and was named to this summer's MLS NEXT All-Star roster.
