FC Cincinnati 2 became the talk of the league this week with a huge 5-0 win over Toronto FC II, earning their first Team of the Matchweek selection of the season.
Notching a brace in a Western Conference heavyweight clash made a statement for Earthquakes II midfielder Gabriel Bracken Serra, who takes Player of Matchweek 9 honors.
On the academy side, Red Bull New York Academy midfielder Dennis Nelich, a winger, saved the day in RBNY II's 2-1 win over regional rival Philadelphia Union II, earning Matchweek 9's MLS NEXT Rising Star of the Matchweek.
Read more about Matchweek 9's winners below.
Led by a brace from star striker Stefan Chirila, FC Cincinnati 2 stunned visiting TFC II with a dominant 5-0 win.
Also special, Mathías Vásquez, Michael Sullivan, and Dilan Hurtado each opened their Cincinnati accounts as they added to the statement-maker.
After a four-game winless start to the campaign, FCC2 have come back to win two of their last three and could be coming alive as a force to be reckoned with in the East.
A breakout game for Quakes II midfielder Gabriel Bracken Serra led his side to a bounceback win that keeps them in reach of hosting playoff seeds.
Notching a brace in the first half, Serra set his side up for a comfortable win over California Clasico rivals Ventura County FC, earning his first-ever Player of the Matchweek honor.
Gabriel Bracken Serra signed with Quakes II ahead of the 2026 season and comes from a collegiate background, decorating his resume with numerous conference accolades at the University of San Fansisco before completing his NCAA journey at the University of North Carolina.
Scoring the game-winner in a true Eastern Conference six-pointer, Nelich was RBNY II's hero in Matchweek 9.
Nelich, slotting home a cross from first-teamer Dennis Gjengaar, broke a 1-1 deadlock in the 72nd minute, and RBNY II held on to the momentum to close out their fourth win in a row.
Scoring in back-to-back games, Nelich is emerging as a name to know in MLS NEXT Pro's academy scene.
