The MLSNEXTPro.com editorial team, several league personnel, announcers, and clubs voted on the top performers across the league during month of June to declare a Team, Coach, Goalkeeper, Rising Star and Player of the Month.
The voting process entailed performances taken from MLS NEXT Pro league matches from June 2 - July 2.
Here are the winners:
MLS NEXT Pro Team of the Month: Crown Legacy FC
Crown Legacy FC has been named MLS NEXT Pro Team of the Month for their exceptional performance in June. Despite a loss in their first match in June against Columbus Crew 2, they quickly bounced back and went undefeated in their next four games. CLFC ended the month on a high note with a come-from-behind away win against TFC II on Matchday 15.
Crown Legacy FC's formidable offense has been a key factor in their success. They have netted an impressive 34 goals, including ten in the month of June, placing them second in the league for highest goal tally.
CLFC’s defense is equally deserving of recognition for their consistent ability to stifle opposing offenses. Leading the defensive line is their standout goalkeeper Isaac Walker, who recently earned the distinction as a selectee of the Goalie Wars event during the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge. With nine starts this year, Walker has notched two clean sheets, made 28 saves, and has earned one shootout victory.
Crown Legacy also boasts the highest goal differential and the second-lowest goals against total in the Eastern Conference, solidifying their reputation as one of the most formidable defenses in MLS NEXT Pro.
MLS NEXT Pro Player of the Month: Nick Firmino – Atlanta United 2
Atlanta United 2’s Nick Firmino has earned the MLS NEXT Pro Player of the Month for June after an extraordinary month that solidified his status as an MVP frontrunner.
After making his first-team debut and scoring a late equalizer in Atlanta United's 2-2 draw against New York City FC on June 21, Firmino continued to showcase his talent the very same week scoring a brace in a 4-2 comeback victory over NYCFC II during MLS NEXT Pro play.
His stellar performance against NYCFC II earned him the Player of the Matchday honor for Matchday 14, making him the first player to receive this recognition twice in the 2023 season after earning it on Matchday 11.
Firmino is the current the MLS NEXT Pro Golden Boot leader with 10 goals, with five of those goals coming in June, and adding three assists this season.
Atlanta United 2 Head Coach Steve Cooke had this to say about Nick Firmino:
“We are all absolutely delighted for Nick, not only for his performances in June, but his outstanding contributions throughout the season so far. Nick has shown high quality, great leadership, and with the help of his teammates, is enjoying an excellent season so far.”
MLS NEXT Pro Coach of the Month: Benny Feilhaber – Sporting KC II
Sporting KC II Head Coach Benny Feilhaber has been named the MLS NEXT Pro Coach of the Month for June. The former USMNT stalwart and Sporting KC legend has led SKC II to a five-game unbeaten streak, securing two wins and two shootout victories over the past 30 days. SKC II's exceptional performance extends back to May, with just one loss in their last nine matches in regulation. This remarkable run has propelled SKC II to fifth place in the Western Conference standings.
The highlight of their impressive run came in Matchday 15 with an impressive 7-1 victory over Whitecaps FC 2. This not only set a new record for the most goals scored in an MLS NEXT Pro game in 2023, but also established an all-time league record with seven different goal scorers in a single match.
SKC II head coach Benny Feilhaber had this to say about his team’s performance during the month of June:
“The team has been on a nice upward trajectory since the beginning of the month with more cohesiveness in how we want to play and a better understanding of our style of play. I’m excited for the second half of the season to see how the players continue to improve and make a push to climb up the table.”
Feilhaber became the fourth head coach in Sporting KC II history joining ahead of the 2022 MLS NEXT Pro season. During his first year in charge, SKC II went on to have a 9-12-3 record, but 2023 has been a different story.
“It's about winning. I tell these guys every day, whether it be second-team guys or first-team guys coming down. That was one of the best things I saw today, the unity of the group. We didn't get that last year in terms of the unity between first-team guys, second-team guys and both wanting to win.”
With over half of the season completed, Feilhaber and his squad are poised to continue their success and secure their first-ever postseason berth in MLS NEXT Pro.
MLS NEXT Pro Goalkeeper of the Month: Damian Las – Austin FC II
Austin FC II’s Damian Las has been named Goalkeeper of the Month for June thanks to his outstanding play between the posts. Las kept five clean sheets during June, and made two crucial saves in his side’s shootout victory over Real Monarchs during Matchday 15. Even more impressive, Las only allowed one goal during the entire month, a month where he played six matches and 540 minutes.
Las has played a vital role in Austin FC II's defensive success this season conceding only 10 goals, keeping a total of eight clean sheets and an exceptional save percentage of 80.4%.
The 21-year-old’s remarkable performances have been instrumental in propelling Austin FC II to second place in the Western Conference.
Las's contribution to Austin FC II's achievements this season has been exceptional, earning him the well-deserved title of Mid-Season Goalkeeper of the Year and earning an invitation to the Goalie Wars event during the 2023 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge.
MLS NEXT Rising Star of the Month: Luciano Sanchez – Philadelphia Union II
18-year-old Philadelphia Union Academy forward, Luciano Sanchez, has been recognized as the MLS NEXT Rising Star for the month of June for his play with Union II.
His exceptional performance against NYCFC II during Matchday 15 sealed his well-deserved recognition.
Coming off the bench in the second half, Sanchez made an instant impact on the field. During a counter attack during the 84th minute, Union II midfielder Boubacar Diallo delivered a pinpoint pass to Sanchez, who evaded his defender and struck the ball past the NYCFC II keeper, securing the victory and the three points for Union II.
Sanchez joined the Philadelphia Union academy in 2022, tallying four goals in nine appearances for the Union U17s.
In the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro season, Sanchez has made his mark, featuring in thirteen matches, with three of them as a starter. In just over 350 minutes of playtime, Sanchez has been a game-changer, contributing three goals and an assist.
Impressively, all three of his goals were scored within the past month, fueling Philadelphia Union II's surge in June where they amassed three victories as they strive to secure a spot in the MLS NEXT Pro playoffs.
