Matchweek 8 of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season featured a statement road win by North Texas SC, a Man of the Match performance from New England Revolution II attacker Alex Monis, and a winning goal from 17-year-old Mykhi Joyner for St. Louis CITY2.
Here's a look at the top-performing player, team, and rising star of Matchweek 8.
MLS NEXT Pro Team of Matchweek 8: North Texas SC
And then there was one.
North Texas SC remained the only unbeaten MLS NEXT Pro side after defeating Sporting KC II 2-0 on Sunday night at Rock Chalk Park. John Gall's squad received a brace from Malachi Molina to earn three points on the road, moving up to third place in the Western Conference.
Molina broke the deadlock in the 29th minute with a composed right-footed finish into the bottom-left corner before doubling NTX's lead in the 69th minute with his second tally of the match.
22-year-old Michael Collodi made two saves to preserve the road clean sheet as NTX moved to 3-4-0 on the campaign.
NTX will close a two-match roadtrip on Sunday, May 12 at The Town FC.
MLS NEXT Pro Player of Matchweek 8: Alex Monis (New England Revolution II)
Saturday marked a memorable day for New England Revolution II attacker Alex Monis as the 21-year-old got one over on his former club.
Monis scored twice on Saturday as Revs II defeated Chicago Fire II by a 3-2 scoreline at Gillette Stadium. A former Fire II player, Monis scored in the 39th and 54th minutes respectively as Fire II jumped up to fourth place in the East standings.
After propelling Revs II in front 1-0, Monis' long-range strike nine minutes into the second half would extend the hosts lead.
Despite seeing a two-goal lead slip away, Revs II used a 95th minute penalty-kick winner from Marcos Dias to claim a 3-2 victory.
Monis now has three goals and two assists in MLS NEXT Pro play this season.
MLS NEXT Rising Star of Matchweek 8: Mykhi Joyner (St. Louis CITY2)
St. Louis CITY2's extended their current unbeaten run to six matches on Saturday thanks to Mykhi Joyner's late-game heroics against MNUFC2.
The 17-year-old midfielder delivered the winning goal on Friday as Bobby Murphy's squad claimed a 2-1 win. Joyner's left-footed missile into the top-left corner would prove to be the difference as the two Western Conference clubs traded goals earlier in the match.
After excelling in the St. Louis CITY SC academy, Joyner has spent parts of the last two seasons with CITY2 in MLS NEXT Pro.
Now with back-to-back goalscoring performances under his belt, Joyner will be seeking to extend that streak in Matchweek 9 when CITY2 hosts defending MLS NEXT Pro champions, Austin FC II.
