Matchweek 24 of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season featured a dominant home win for St. Louis CITY2, a hat trick from Houston Dynamo 2 forward Ousmane Sylla, and a debut game-winning goal from Huntsville City FC's Tristan Tropeano.
Here's a look at the top-performing player, team, and Rising Star of Matchweek 24:
MLS NEXT Pro Team of Matchweek 24: St. Louis CITY2
The third time's a charm for St. Louis CITY2.
Bobby Murphy's squad claimed a massive home win on Sunday after rolling past North Texas SC 4-0. It marked the first head-to-head victory for CITY2 over NTX this season and first overall since 2022.
Caden Glover opened the scoring after 13 minutes before Mykhi Joyner added a second goal for CITY2 before halftime.
Brendan McSorley's right-footed finish three minutes into the second half extended CITY2's lead to 3-0 before Joyner added his second goal of the night before the final whistle.
CITY2 now have a three-match regulation unbeaten streak under their belts, sitting three points behind NTX for top spot in the Western Conference.
MLS NEXT Pro Player of Matchweek 24: Ousmane Sylla (Houston Dynamo 2)
Osumane Sylla played a key role in Houston Dynamo 2 earning back-to-back victories this week.
Sylla's hat trick helped Dynamo Dos defeat MNUFC2 by a 4-1 scoreline midweek before he logged another 90 minutes in Sunday's 3-1 home triumph over the Young Loons. Sylla's quickfire brace in a three-minute span helped Dynamo Dos flip Wednesday's scoreline to 2-1 in their favor before the Senegalese forward capped his hat trick in style.
With Dynamo Dos leading 3-1, Sylla called his own number in the 86th minute, chipping home from long range to cap his career night.
Sylla didn't get on the scoresheet in Sunday's home victory, but he did register his 18th appearance of the campaign.
Back-to-back wins have Dynamo Dos sitting eighth in the West and well in the hunt for a playoff spot.
MLS NEXT Pro Rising Star of Matchweek 24: Tristan Tropeano (Huntsville City FC)
Huntsville City FC can thank Tristan Tropeano from helping extend their winning streak to three matches on Sunday night.
Tropeano made his MLS NEXT Pro debut on Sunday and delivered the winning goal in a 3-2 road victory over TFC II. The young forward came off the bench and bundled home the winning tally with eight minutes to play.
Tropeano, who had only been on the Huntsville City FC bench once prior this season, boosted his stock for the remainder of the campaign.
With six matches to play, Huntsville City FC aren't eliminated from playoff contention, but will need to continue picking up points any way possible. Tropeano's recent impact could see him called on more frequently over the final stretch of matches.
