A battle of independent teams always has a little something extra to it.
Led by hat trick hero Alex Krehl, Chattanooga FC were up to the task in Matchweek 26. Putting a dominant 5-2 win over Carolina Core FC, the Boys in Blue won the better of the season series en route to their third Team of the Matchweek selection this season.
Up north, it was the Johnny Selemani show as he powered Whitecaps FC 2 in back-to-back wins in a busy double-fixture week, earning his first Player of the Matchweek nod.
The academy kids continue to take center stage for Philadelphia Union II. Union Academy striker Theo Reed's brace was vital in a 3-2 win over FC Cincinnati 2, making him the MLS NEXT Rising Star of the Matchweek.
Read more about Matchweek 26's winners below:
Good times continue to roll in the Scenic City.
In addition to inching closer to a playoff clinch, Chattanooga fans are also watching the Golden Boot race, where Krehl gave himself a boost with his first career hat trick on Saturday.
"I'm over the moon right now," Krehl said post-game. "I've been playing men's football for five or six years now and this is the first hat-trick I've ever scored. It's a really big accomplishment for me, but I'm more happy that we walk away with three points to put us in a better position in the league."
Supported with additional goals from Tate Robertson and Isaiah Jones, the Boys in Blue were dominant as they outshot CCFC 20-10.
It's all adding up to a special season in Chattanooga as they look like a lock to be hosting playoff games at Finley Stadium this fall.
Matchweek 26 follows CFC taking Team of the Matchweek in Matchweek 14 and Matchweek 21.
Selemani showed out with a 3g/1a week that helped power Whitecaps FC 2 in a pair of gaudy wins.
The 18-year-old Canadian winger started the week with a sizzle reel-caliber goal and assist in WFC 2's 4-1 win over Los Angeles FC 2 on Wednesday.
Then, on a tight turnaround on Sunday, he fired in two more golazos to help build a dominant 5-1 win over Sporting KC II, giving himself a real opportunity to take Goal of the Matchweek honors as well.
Selemani is a Whitecaps FC BMO Academy product who turned pro with WFC 2 last year. Shortly after, he earned his first MLS call-up. Matchweek 26 marked his first goal contributions of the season since returning from injury last month.
Internationally, he's represented Canada at the U-15 and U-17 levels, including making appearances in the 2025 U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
Another week, another win built on a clutch performance from the Union Academy.
Reed, 17, bagged a brace that led to a much-needed road win to keep Union II's playoff hopes alive. Making the most of some good fortune, he pressured the FCC2 back line into two errors and was clinical with both finishes.
Bringing his season tally up to four goals, Reed's big performance made it 21 out of Union II's 33 goals scored by academy products. He follows teammate Lennon Harrington, who took Rising Star honors in Matchweek 4.
