Crown Legacy FC remains unstoppable as we shift into the second month of the season.
Their latest win, 2-0 vs. Atlanta United 2, extended their early-season winning streak to five matches out of the gate, and they earned an additional flower with their second Team of the Matchweek selection of the new year.
North Texas SC also got a big win in Matchweek 5, besting Sporting KC II on the road. Winger Nathaniel James led the way with a brace and earns Player of the Matchweek for his standout performance.
On the Academy side, Los Angeles FC Academy's Jacob Machuca sparked LAFC 2's comeback over Whitecaps FC 2, earning his first MLS NEXT Rising Star honor of the year.
Read more about Matchweek 5's winners below:
What's better than beating a regional rival twice in a row?
The reigning MLS NEXT Pro Team of the Month started their April strong with a 2-0 win over Atlanta United 2, beating them twice in as many weeks while coach Kevin Sawchak shuffled the lineup.
In Matchweek 5, CLFC blitzed ATL UTD 2 out of the gate and found Hugo Mbongue at the mouth of the goal to take the lead in the first minute. Charlotte first-team newcomer centerback Henry Kessler joined Crown Legacy for some rehab minutes and headed home the dagger in the 55th minute.
18-year-old Charlotte Academy goalkeeper Graham Syrett was good for his first clean sheet behind a sturdy defensive effort that only forced him into two saves.
At all levels in the Charlotte FC organization, the good times continue to roll.
Finishing is the most coveted skill in the sport, and North Texas SC winger Nathaniel James was clinical as his side topped Sporting KC II 4-1 on the road on Saturday.
One of NTSC's headlining newcomers, the 21-year-old Trinidadian enjoyed a breakout performance with a first-half brace that sparked a comfortable road win to snap a two-game losing skid.
James joined NTSC ahead of the 2026 campaign from USL League One side Portland Hearts of Pine, where he was good for 3g/3a in 2025, taking the league's Goal of the Year award. On the international stage, he's earned 23 senior caps for Trinidad & Tobago, racking up six goals.
It's been a great couple of weeks for LAFC Academy winger Jacob Machuca.
Last week, he took Goal of Matchweek 3 honors, and in Matchweek 5, he grabbed his first Rising Star selection.
Sparking a second-half comeback as LAFC2 trailed Whitecaps FC 2 last weekend, Machuca's goal in the 56th minute evened things up and set up a dramatic finish where his side stole a 3-2 win.
Getting three starts in a row and scoring in back-to-back games, Machuca is enjoying an early-season breakout.
