The 2025 MLS NEXT Pro season started off with a bang, delivering thrilling comebacks, record-setting performances, and rising stars stealing the spotlight across the league.
Here’s a look at the biggest stories from the first weekend of MLS NEXT Pro action.
New Coaches Earn Big Wins: Critchley, Nugent, and Santos Start Strong
First-year head coaches David Critchley, Chris Nugent, and Marcelo Santos all made their mark during Matchweek 1 by each earning victories in their head coaching debuts.
Of the trio, Critchley made the loudest statement, as St Louis CITY2 took down the reigning champs North Texas SC at Choctaw Stadium, something no team had accomplished since 2023.
From the opening whistle, CITY2 pressed North Texas SC’s revamped backline, forcing an early own goal before Brandon McSorley and Miggy Perez capitalized later in the game to seal the win.
While this victory won’t erase the sting of last year’s Western Conference Final heartbreak, it sends a clear message: CITY2 is still a force to be reckoned with in the West.
CFC head coach Chris Nugent isn’t exactly new to the head coach’s seat in Chattanooga, having guided his team to back-to-back wins as interim boss last season. But he picked up his first official win by leading his team to a 2-1 triumph over Inter Miami II, and their new head coach Cristian 'Lobo' Ledesma.
Florida native Keegan Ancelin put CFC in the driver’s seat, scoring in the third minute of the game. Although Inter Miami II quickly responded, Chattanooga was able to seal the game in the second half thanks to a stunning strike from Milo Garvanian.
"The result was excellent," Nugent said after the match. "There were some good moments in the game. We made saves on the line and pressed up high; both were just as important as the attacking play. I was pleased with the resilience of the guys."
Dynamo 2’s Playmakers Deliver in First Win of 2025
Marcelo Santos' Houston Dynamo 2 set the tone early in their home opener, securing a 3-1 victory over Sporting KC II and giving their new head coach his first win.
Leading the charge for Houston was captain Diego Gonzalez, Mexico youth international Sebastian Rodriguez, and 15-year-old academy midfielder Mattheo Dimareli, all playing pivotal roles in the victory.
New signing Andy Batioja, a Colombian U-20 international, also made his presence felt scoring in his first start. His creativity and attacking instincts add a new dimension to Houston’s offense, giving them another dangerous option in the final third.
But the night belonged to Sebastian Rodriguez. The 17-year-old delivered a masterclass on both sides of the ball, first setting up Batioja for Houston’s opener before pouncing on a defensive mistake and icing the game with clinical finish in the 76th minute.
Not to be outdone, Gonzalez reminded everyone why he’s one of MLS NEXT Pro’s premier playmakers, linking up with Dimareli for Houston’s second goal.
Dimareli had a solid debut season in MLS NEXT Pro last year, showing plenty of potential on the pitch.
With this mix of touchline experience, and attacking firepower, Santos’ squad looks poised for an exciting 2025 season.
Jude Terry: Midfield Maestro
When LAFC announced the signing of Jude Terry to a Homegrown contract in December, expectations were immediately high for the young midfielder. Turns out, he only needed 45 minutes to start living up to them.
Terry put on a playmaking clinic in his first MLS NEXT Pro appearance of 2025, racking up three assists and surpassing his season total in the first half of LAFC2’s season opener.
The 16-year-old set the tone early, linking up with Matt Evans for LAFC2’s opening goal. Just minutes later, relentless pressure on the Whitecaps FC 2 backline led to Terry calmly controlling a loose ball near the box and, in one smooth motion, set up fellow Homegrown talent Adrian Wibowo for LAFC2’s second of the night.
His third assist? Up for debate. Terry received a pass near the penalty marker and fired a shot at goal, only for it to deflect off a teammate and roll across the line. Could’ve been called a goal or an assist but official credit aside, it capped off a brilliant first-half display before Terry was subbed off at halftime.
Though LAFC2 ultimately fell in a shootout, the first half showed plenty of promise. For head coach Junior Gonzalez and his technical staff, this was an opening performance to build on.
Christian Koffi Scores First-Half Brace Against Former Team
After spending last season with Chicago Fire II, Christian Koffi made the move to the Rocket City to join Huntsville City FC for the 2025 campaign.
In 2024, he made 29 appearances for the Chicago Fire organization across all competitions, recording seven assists and two goals.
Koffi equaled his 2024 goal totals in one game with Huntsville, and he did it against none other than his former club.
Koffi opened the scoring in the 15th minute, intercepting an errant pass near the Fire II box before slotting the ball into the net. He doubled his tally in the 37th minute, burying a penalty kick to secure his brace. Huntsville ulitmately earned a 4-1 victory over Chicago Fire II.
His performance quickly earned praise from Head Coach Chris O’Neal, who highlighted the impact Koffi is already making.
“This is the type of player we thought he was when we wanted to bring him in,” O’Neal said. “We’re excited that he’s proving us right, and he does that every day in training.”
With a standout debut performance, Koffi has already started repaying the trust Huntsville City FC placed in him, and this could be just the beginning of a big season for the talented attacker.
Five Players Kick Off 2025 with Two-Goal Performances
Christian Koffi wasn’t the only player to light up the scoreboard on opening weekend with four others also bagging braces to kick off their 2025 campaigns.
NYCFC II’s Seymour Reid, Ventura County FC’s Dylan Vanney, Colorado Rapids 2’s Colton Swan, and Tacoma Defiance’s Osaze de Rosario all scored twice, making an early statement in the new season.
Ventura County FC's matchup against Tacoma Defiance turned into a head-to-head showdown between Dylan Vanney and Osaze de Rosario, with both players scoring twice at William Rolland Stadium on Friday night. However, it was Vanney’s second goal that proved decisive, securing all three points for Ventura County FC.
Osaze de Rosario’s second goal earned a Goal of the Matchweek nomination.
Colton Swan delivered a historic brace for Colorado Rapids 2, setting a new MLS NEXT Pro record for the fastest brace in league history.
After coming on as a second-half substitute, Swan scored twice within two minutes, finding the net in the 73rd and 75th minutes, respectively.
Last but not least, 16-year-old forward Seymour Reid played all 90 minutes in his NYCFC II debut, delivering when it mattered most. The Jamaican international put the team on his back, scoring twice in the final stages of the match to erase a 2-0 deficit by the 80th minute, forcing a shootout where NYCFC II claimed the two points.
“It was an amazing feeling on my debut, scoring two goals. It's an amazing feeling going out there and just shining,” Reid said after his standout performance.
With so many early-season breakout performances, the race for MLS NEXT Pro’s Golden Boot is already heating up.
Other MLS NEXT Pro Week 1 Notables:
Vicente Garcia and Apolo Marinch Make History – Vicente Garcia and Apolo Marinch became the first players born in 2010 (try not to feel old) to feature in an MLS NEXT Pro match, setting a historic milestone for the league.
Crew 2’s (Continued) Youth Movement - With an average age of just 18.1 years and eight Academy products in the starting lineup, Crew 2 fielded the youngest squad in their history during Matchweek 1.
Leading the charge for Crew 2 was 16-year-old forward Chase Adams, who made headlines after scoring 10 goals against Barbados in a U-17 World Cup qualifying match, alongside 19-year-old Owen Presthus, a rising talent in the Columbus Crew organization.
Although Crew 2 didn’t come away with the win against Orlando City B, the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro Cup champions showed that their next generation of talent is ready to make some noise.
Nelson Pierre Shines for WFC2 – Whitecaps FC 2 forward Nelson Pierre scored his first MLS NEXT Pro goal since July 25, 2023 (593 days). The 19-year-old, currently on loan from the Philadelphia Union, figures to be a key part of the WFC2 offense in 2025.
Alastuey Impresses In Debut – Jorge Alastuey, one of Austin FC II’s additions for 2025, impressed in his MLS NEXT Pro debut, scoring one goal and providing an assist in 51 minutes of action.
His pinpoint pass (seriously, check out the clip below) set up Jimmy Farkarlun's first goal and offered a glimpse of his vision and technical prowess with the ball, qualities he honed during his time at FC Barcelona’s famed youth academy La Masia.
