Matchweek 23 of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season featured a statement road win for Carolina Core FC, a multi-goal performance from North Texas SC's Pedrinho, and a first pair of MLS NEXT Pro goals for Philadelphia Union II's Kellan LeBlanc.
Here's a look at the top-performing player, team, and Rising Star of Matchweek 23:
MLS NEXT Pro Team of Matchweek 23: Carolina Core FC
What better way to snap a three-match losing streak then to score a 92nd minute winning goal against the No. 1 ranked team in your conference!
Carolina Core FC did just that on Friday after using a stoppage time winner from Jacob Evans to defeat FC Cincinnati 2 by a 1-0 scoreline. The result gave Carolina Core FC a first road win since July 7 and a first overall victory since July 17.
After it looked like the two teams would be heading into a shootout, Evans headed home Derek Cuevas' cross into the back of the net to give his team all three points. It marked CCFC's most impressive result this year and one that moves them to 25 points this season.
Goalkeeper Alex Sutton registered a three-save clean sheet while centerback Daniel Chica anchored the backline against one of the league's more impressive attacking units.
CCFC next returns home for a five-match homestand, starting with Saturday's date with New England Revolution II.
MLS NEXT Pro Player of Matchweek 23: Pedrinho (North Texas SC)
21-year-old Pedrinho has been quite the signing for North Texas SC this season.
The versatile attacker scored twice on Saturday night to lead NTX past rivals Houston Dynamo 2 by a 4-1 scoreline at Choctaw Stadium. Pedrinho earned Man of the Match honors from the club and MLS NEXT Pro Player of Matchweek 23 honors in the process.
After Tarik Scott boosted the hosts in front after nine minute, Pedrinho made sure to carve his name on the score sheet. His smooth right-footed strike in the 49th minute extended NTX's lead to 2-0 and gave the hosts some breathing room.
Despite Dynamo Dos pulling one goal back in the 66th minute, Pedrinho called his number again three minutes later, this time finishing Scott's pass off for his second goal of the night. NTX would add a fourth and final goal in second-half stoppage time to truly pad their result on home soil.
Pedrinho now has eight goals in 2024, which leads the North Texas SC squad.
With NTX unbeaten in their last four matches, things are looking good for the Western Conference leaders.
MLS NEXT Pro Rising Star of Matchweek 23: Kellan LeBlanc (Philadelphia Union II)
Sunday will go down as a memorable day for Kellan LeBlanc.
The young attacker scored his first two MLS NEXT Pro goals in his first start for Philadelphia Union II. Despite the Eastern Conference club falling 4-2 to TFC II, LeBlanc will feel confident in his own abilities heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
After TFC II raced out to a 2-0 lead, LeBlanc carried Union II back into the contest after halftime. His first goal came from a clever left-footed finish in the box before LeBlanc tied the match eight minutes later with a top-shelf finish off of a Markus Anderson assist.
TFC II would eventually walk away with all three points, but Union II now know the goalscoring abilities of LeBlanc as they head into their final six matches of the season.
He completed 89% of his passes, drew two fouls, and registered four shots in total.
Union II will seek a bounce-back result on August 26 vs. Columbus Crew 2.
