Statement wins get bigger and bigger in the race toward Decision Day 2026.
New York City FC II’s 3-0 dominant matinee win over fellow Eastern Conference playoff hopeful Orlando City B earns their first Team of the Matchweek selection of 2026.
The inevitable Stas Korzeniowski was back in action for Philadelphia Union II, notching a brace in a 2-1 win over FC Cincinnati 2 for his first Player of the Matchweek nod of 2026.
Toronto FC Academy midfielder Tristan Blyth also notched a brace in Matchweek 23. His double in TFC II's 4-2 win at Chicago Fire II makes him the MLS NEXT Rising Star of the Matchweek.
Read more about Matchweek 23's winners below:
At the heart of it all was star midfielder Maximo Carrizo, who notched goals in the 13th and 51st minutes to put the game out of reach, bringing his season tally to 3g/1a while he splits his time between the New York City FC first-team setup and NYCFC II.
Carrizo followed Kevin Pierre’s opener in the 10th minute, setting the pigeons up for a comfortable win in which they outshot OCB 18-6, only allowing three shots on goal.
The dominant win puts NYCFC II in the driver’s seat of the Eastern Conference's playoff play-in round position and still very much in reaching distance for a host seed if they can put together a rally in the home stretch.
When in need, dial up Stas.
The 23-year-old striker's brace was vital in Union II's 2-1 win over FC Cincinnati 2, ending a four-game winless run.
Causing chaos in the FCC2 box, Korzeniowski powered in his first goal of the afternoon on a quick turn with little space to work with. Then in the second half, with the win on the line, he made good use of space as he scorched the net again to seal the win.
Korzeniowski signed a first-team contract with Philadelphia in January and has split his time between MLS and MLS NEXT Pro this season. With Union II, he's been incredibly efficient with 7g/1a in under 500 minutes.
Toronto FC Academy midfielder Tristan Blyth's breakout season continues.
In Matchweek 23, his brace got TFC II going in a wild 4-2 win at Chicago Fire II.
Bltyh, 17, notched TFC II's first two goals, bringing his season tally to 3g/1a across 691 minutes in MLS NEXT Pro.
