Matchweek 18 of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season featured a fourth straight win for Tacoma Defiance, a brace for Colorado Rapids 2 forward Antony Garcia, and a second-consecutive goalscoring performance for ATL UTD 2 full back Dominik Chong-Qui.
Here's a look at the top-performing player, team, and Rising Star of Matchweek 18:
MLS NEXT Pro Team of Matchweek 18: Tacoma Defiance
Tacoma Defiance are hitting their mark at a crucial time of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro regular season.
Herve Diese's men extended their current winning streak to four matches after claiming a 4-1 road result over Whitecaps FC 2 this past weekend. Tacoma has now outscored its opposition 12-4 over that span, registering two clean sheets, and moving to fifth place in the Western Conference standings.
Chris Aquino scored twice on Sunday while Osaze De Rosario and Sebastian Gomez also celebrated goals of their own. Goalkeeper Jacob Castro needed to only make one save in the road win.
With Sunday's victory, the Defiance are only two points out of fourth place heading into an important two-match homestand against LAFC2 and MNUFC2.
MLS NEXT Pro Player of Matchweek 18: Antony Garcia (Colorado Rapids 2)
Antony Garcia stole the show for Colorado Rapids 2 in Sunday's bounce-back victory.
Garcia scored twice in Rapids 2's 2-0 statement win over North Texas SC. The young forward broke the scoring six minutes in the match before icing the result in the 74th minute at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.
The 19-year-old made the move to MLS NEXT Pro last winter and since has become one of the better players for Rapids 2 this season. Garcia now has six goals scored in 17 appearances (11 starts), which is one behind Marlon Vargas for the team lead.
Rapids 2 are 13th in the Western Conference standings, but will hope continued production from Garcia will move them up the table as the regular season schedule pushes forward.
MLS NEXT Pro Rising Star of Matchweek 18: Dominik Chong Qui (ATL UTD 2)
16-year-old left back Dominik Chong-Qui is finding his footing with ATL UTD 2 this summer.
Chong-Qui scored his second MLS NEXT Pro goal this season as ATL UTD 2 defeated Columbus Crew 2 by a 4-3 shootout scoreline. After scoring his first professional goal last week, Chong-Qui found the back of the net again on Sunday.
His goal in the 84th minute boosted ATL UTD 2 in front 2-1 at Fifth Third Bank Stadium before Crew 2 would tie the match four minutes later. The Young Five Stripes would claim two points in the shootout by scoring on four of their five opportunities.
Chong-Qui also won six duels, made seven interceptions, and completed two tackles, delivering a strong two-way performance in the result.
