MLS NEXT Pro's Decision Day packed an entire matchweek of action into one day, with several teams nicking a playoff spot despite slim odds and others narrowly missing out. A tight battle in the Eastern Conference saw Inter Miami CF II, NYCFC II, Crew 2, and Crown Legacy FC triumphant. At the same time, Houston Dynamo 2 and Whitecaps FC 2 punched their playoff ticket in the Western Conference.
Among the top storylines in a packed Decision Day, these developments stood out as the most notable:
- Chicago Fire FC II's David Poreba captured the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Golden Boot
- Houston Dynamo 2's Diego Gonzalez tied the MLS NEXT Pro single-season record for assists in a season, finishing the 2024 season with10
- North Texas SC scored the second-most goals in a single game in MLS NEXT Pro history in an 8-2 win over MNUFC2 which also tied the record for total goals in an MLS NEXT Pro match.
- St Louis CITY2 set a new MLS NEXT Pro attendance record of 12,022
- FC Cincinnati 2's Gerardo Valenzuela scored his second hat trick of the 2024 season
- TFC II's Julian Altobelli scored in his ninth straight game, setting a club record scoring streak and coming one goal away from Jacen Russell-Rowe's record of 10-straight games with a goal
Let's look at how the dust settled in each conference following Decision Day and how the playoffs shape up with Pick Your Opponent upcoming.
Eastern Conference: FCC2 takes top seed, 3rd through 8th places sort out narrowly
FC Cincinnati 2 emerged as one of the biggest winners of Decision Day, profiting from a result elsewhere and getting its job done in a 3-1 win over Orlando City B. Gerardo Valenzuela's hat trick carries FCC2 into the playoffs with its pick for who it will face.
Orlando City B, one of the strongest sides during the final stretch of the regular season, is ready for the playoffs after finishing fifth in the East.
Chicago Fire FC II's David Poreba takes the Golden Boot
David Poreba helped Chicago Fire FC II earn the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference, finishing the season with 18 goals and winning the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Golden Boot.
Fire II rose above Philadelphia Union II with a 2-1 win with goals from Omari Glasgow and Peter Soudan. While Fire II won't get the chance to pick its opponent, the team is in formidable form heading into the playoffs.
Inter Miami II takes Southeast Division, third seed in East
For the first time in club history, Inter Miami CF II is heading to the postseason.
A goal in the 79th minute helped Inter Miami II defeat Carolina Core FC 1-0 in an away match. Inter Miami II will find itself in a powerful position heading into the playoffs, finishing with 48 points in third in the Western Conference, narrowly beating out some well-performing sides.
Capybaras march on: Crew 2 takes all three points, 7th-place in Eastern Conference
Columbus Crew 2 went into Decision Day needing a win to guarantee a playoff spot, a mission it accomplished with a 3-1 victory over New England Revolution II. Jayden Da scored a brace to lift Crew 2 into the playoffs.
Crew 2 is one of the most successful clubs in MLS NEXT Pro historically, winning the MLS NEXT Pro Cup in 2022 and reaching the final in 2023.
NYCFC II, Crown Legacy FC fall but gear up for playoffs
NYCFC II lost 1-0 at home to Hunstiville City FC, but qualified for the playoffs in the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference. Crown Legacy FC also made the playoffs in eighth-place despite a 4-1 loss to TFC II.
TFC II's Julian Altobelli carries his scoring streak into next season. With a goal Sunday, he has now scored in nine straight matches. He lies one goal and game away from Jacen Russell-Rowe's MLS NEXT Pro record 10-game scoring streak.
Despite a shootout win, Chattanooga FC found itself on the outside looking in on 45 points, tied on points with three other teams. Carolina Core FC also faced similar fate, missing out on a playoff berth after a 1-0 loss to Inter Miami II.
Western Conference: Dynamo Dos takes final spot, North Texas SC shows its strength
Houston Dynamo 2 emerged triumphant from a tight race for the last two playoff spots in the Western Conference. A 3-1 win over Whitecaps FC 2 allowed Dynamo Dos to lock up eighth place in the conference, fending off many potential qualifiers in other matches.
Dynamo 2 midfielder Diego Gonzalez tied the MLS NEXT Pro record for assists as he finished the regular season with 10 assists. He scored a goal and added his 10th assist in Sunday's win.
Despite the loss, Whitecaps FC 2 held on to the seventh-place spot in the Western Conference.
North Texas SC sets records, puts an exclamation point on outstanding regular season
North Texas SC went into Decision Day having already locked up the Western Conference top seed, but Sunday's performance served as a preview of what the team can do in the playoffs.
An 8-2 win over MNUFC2 tied the record for most combined goals in a single match. North Texas' eight goals were the second-most goals by a team in a single game in MLS NEXT Pro history.
The win included a brace from Tomas Pondeca and goals from Pedrinho, Herbert Endeley, Diego Garcia, Malik Henry-Scott, Enes Sali and Tarik Scott.
St Louis CITY2 impresses in front of record crowd
St Louis CITY2 put forth one last regular-season show for the fans at CITYPark in a 5-0 win over Tacoma Defiance. CITY2 set the MLS NEXT Pro attendance record with 12,022 fans. The club already held the previous attendance mark, with 10,671 fans in attendance in 2023.
Defiance had already clinched a playoff spot in previous weeks, and CITY2 locked up the two-seed in the Western Conference.
The Town FC locks up third seed with incredible comeback
The Town FC fell 3-1 behind during the first half, but a brace from Eduardo Blancas and goals from Beau Leroux and Aaron Edwards in the 82nd and 85th minutes turned things all the way around for a 4-3 win over Austin FC II.
The Town heads into the playoffs with the third seed and the right to pick its opponent in the first round.
Real Monarchs, Sporting KC II, Timbers2 miss out despite wins
Luckily for Dynamo Dos, Real Monarchs fell one point short of a playoff berth after a shootout win against Ventura County FC. Sporting Kansas City II came back over LAFC2 and Timbers2 notched a 1-0 win over Colorado Rapids 2, but playoff hopes were dashed for either side because of other results.
Pick Your Opponent to kick off the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs
For the second season, MLS NEXT Pro will allow the top three seeds in each conference to pick their opponent. The Selection Show, hosted by Max Bretos, will be live-streamed on Tuesday, Oct. 8. The Eastern Conference Selection Show starts at 2 p.m., with the Western Conference Selection Show following at 3 p.m.
In the Eastern Conference, the following teams, in order, will pick their opponent for the first round of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro playoffs:
- FC Cincinnati 2
- Philadelphia Union II
- Inter Miami CF II
In the Western Conference, the following teams, in order, will pick its opponent:
- North Texas SC
- St Louis CITY2
- The Town FC
