Matchday 12 of MLS NEXT Pro action rolled forward on Friday with six clubs in action across both conferences.
Philadelphia Union II earned their second-straight home win after shutting out visiting ATL UTD 2 by a 1-0 scoreline. CJ Fodrey’s first goal of the season propelled Austin FC II past Whitecaps FC 2 1-0 at Parmer Field.
Real Monarchs outlasted LA Galaxy II 5-4 in a shootout after the two Western Conference clubs were tied 3-3 through 90 minutes.
Let's take a look back on Matchday 12 action from Friday.
Philadelphia Union II (1) - ATL UTD 2 (0)
Philadelphia Union II earned back-to-back home wins for the first time in 2023 after edging ATL UTD 2 by a 1-0 scoreline at Subaru Park.
Christopher Olney’s second-half goal was all Marlon LeBlanc’s squad needed to remain in eighth place in the Eastern Conference table.
Nelson Pierre and Karim Tmimi traded offensive chances in the opening stages of the match, but neither could propel their teams in front. David Vazquez was also repelled for Union II later in the second half while Anton Sorenson was also denied by Vincente Reyes.
Olney delivered the breakthrough goal for Union II in the 57th minute, getting on the end of Pierre’s cross before tapping home at the back post.
David Mejia and Jackson Conway had ATL UTD 2’s best looks later in the half, but Brooks Thompson was up to the task. Thompson finished with a three-save clean sheet as Union II moved two points behind ATL UTD 2 in the East standings.
Union II remains at home next week for Crown Legacy FC’s trip to Subaru Park on Wednesday. ATL UTD 2 visits Columbus Crew 2 on Thursday.
Austin FC II (1) - Whitecaps FC 2 (0)
Austin FC II’s two-match homestand to begin its June schedule concluded on Friday with Brett Uttley’s squad claiming a second-consecutive victory at Parmer Field.
CJ Fodrey’s 75th minute header proved to be the difference in a 1-0 home triumph over Whitecaps FC 2. The 19-year-old winger flicked Cheick Toure’s set-piece cross into the back of the net for his first goal of 2023.
Fodrey was denied by Thomas Hasal in the 35th minute before missing his follow-up chance from point-blank range. David Rodriguez was also repelled as Austin FC II had the better of the first-half offensive opportunities.
Hasal’s aggressive tackle on Christo Vela in the 67th minute led to the goalkeeper’s ejection from the match, forcing Whitecaps FC 2 to play the final minutes down to 10-men.
Jay Herdman and Giovanni Aguilar had the best looks for Ricardo Clark’s men, but Damian Las made two key saves of his three in total on the night. It was Austin FC II’s second clean sheet in the past two weeks.
Austin FC II leapfrogged Whitecaps FC 2 in the West table following the victory, moving to 25 points on the season. ATX II will next visit St. Louis CITY2 on Wednesday, June 14 while Whitecaps FC 2 hosts Real Monarchs on Thursday, June 15.
Real Monarchs (3) - LA Galaxy II (3) - Real Monarchs win 5-4 in shootout
Real Monarchs claimed their first shootout win of 2023, outlasting LA Galaxy II 5-4 on spotkicks after a 3-3 regulation score at Zions Bank Stadium.
16-year-old Fernando Delgado denied Elijah Amadin in the seventh round of the shootout, sealing two points for Jamison Olave’s squad.
Real Monarchs started off on the front foot with Ilijah Paul stepping up and scoring from the penalty spot after seven minutes. Gilberto Garcia was bundled down in the box by Matteo Carbone, allowing Paul to score his first goal of the season and give Jamison Olave’s squad a 1-0 advantage.
LA Galaxy II hit back though in quick fashion, using Aaron Bibout’s eighth goal of 2023 to tie things up at 1-1. Bibout’s right-footed finish from close range came in the 14th minute, tying him with Colorado Rapids 2 midfielder Yosuke Hanya atop the MLS NEXT Pro Golden Boot rankings.
Amferny Arias propelled Real Monarchs back in front 2-1 in the 49th minute, heading home Moses Nyeman’s cross for his first goal of the season.
However, Galaxy II would fight back and turn things in their favor later in the half.
Alex Alcala’s left-footed strike in the 68th minute tied the match at 2-2 before Elijah Amadin’s header off an Alcala cross boosted Galaxy II in front 3-2 with six minutes to play.
Paul’s second goal of the match in the 93rd minute forced a shootout after the 20-year-old celebrated his first MLS NEXT Pro brace.
Nyeman was denied in the first round while Gennaro Nigro missed his effort for Real Monarchs in the second round. However, LA Galaxy failed to take advantage as Axel Essengue missed in the fifth round.
Dillon Griffin and Terron Williams successfully scored from their efforts before Delgado denied Amadin to seal Monarchs shootout victory.
Real Monarchs visit Whitecaps FC 2 on June 15 while LA Galaxy II also hits the road on Matchday 13 with a visit to Colorado Rapids 2 on June 25.
