Matchweek 17 of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season was headlined by New York Red Bulls II's dominant win, a strong performance from Red Bulls II attacker Julian Hall, and a first brace of 2024 for St. Louis CITY2 forward Mykhi Joyner.
Here's a look at the top-performing player, team, and Rising Star of Matchweek 17:
MLS NEXT Pro Team of Matchweek 17: New York Red Bulls II
New York Red Bulls II had endured an up-and-down start to their summer schedule but got back in the winning column on Sunday.
A 6-2 romp over ATL UTD 2 marked the most goals scored by the Eastern Conference club this season. 16-year-old Julian Hall registered his first MLS NEXT Pro brace while three players also found the back of the net (Tanner Rosborough, Juan Gutierrez, Rafael Mosquera).
Red Bulls II also forced an own goal in their eventual comeback victory on home soil.
Entering the match, home results haven't fell Red Bulls II's way this season, but after registering six goals for the first time this season, Ibrahim Sekagya's squad will be confident heading into two final matches this month.
A bye week takes place for Red Bulls II during Matchweek 18, before their showdowns with Orlando City B and TFC II.
MLS NEXT Pro Player of Matchweek 17: Julian Hall (New York Red Bulls II)
The New York Red Bulls have seen many talented homegrowns come through the system and 16-year-old Julian Hall just might be the next.
Hall scored twice on Sunday as Red Bulls II rolled to a 6-2 home victory over ATL UTD 2. He entered the match with two combined goals (one in MLS, one in MLS NEXT Pro) this season, but added to that number with a pair of strikes in a dominant win for the club.
Hall's long-range effort in the 45th minute tied the match at 2-2 after visiting ATL UTD 2 gave Red Bulls II some trouble at MSU Soccer Park.
After the hosts eventually grabbed a 5-2 later in the second half, Hall iced the win by drilling Juan Mina's pass into the bottom-right corner. He also registered three shots on target and won three duels in his stellar performance.
MLS NEXT Pro Rising Star of Matchweek 17: Mykhi Joyner (St. Louis CITY2)
The goals continued to come for St. Louis CITY2 attacker Mykhi Joyner, who registered his first brace of 2024 on Saturday.
Joyner scored twice as Bobby Murphy's squad claimed a 4-3 victory over visiting LAFC2. The Man of the Match performance gave Joyner nine goals on the season and his third-straight goalscoring performance of the summer.
CITY2 rallied back from an early deficit to eventually flip the match in their favor. Joyner, 17, scored a pair of penalty kicks in the 47th and 66th minutes respectively to give CITY2 a lead they wouldn't let slip away on home soil.
CITY2 remain top of the Western Conference on 36 points after rebounding from a first loss since May 22.
