The 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Conference Semifinals got underway on Saturday night, and home-field advantage played its role in both matches.
Wins for Philadelphia Union II and North Texas SC mean they'll be hosting their conference final matchups next week and tuning in to Sunday's action to see who's heading their way.
Here is a closer look at each of Saturday's results:
Philadelphia Union II (1), Crown Legacy FC (1) - Union II advance 4-3 in shootout
Philadelphia Union II advanced to their first-ever Eastern Conference Final after outlasting Crown Legacy FC 4-3 in shootout fashion.
Olwethu Makhanya delivered the opening goal for Union II in the 28th minute after heading home C.J. Olney's corner back into the back of the net. Crown Legacy FC goalkeeper Chituru Odunze raced off of his goal-line to try and punch the cross away, but couldn't get any contact on it, watching as Makhanya finished it home.
Crown Legacy FC defended well though, despite falling down and eventually equalized late in the second half.
Dylan Sing's right-footed strike found the bottom-left corner for a 1-1 equalizer, giving the visitors a late lifeline at Subaru Park and forcing extra time.
Odunze made up for his earlier mistake by denying Makhanya, Neil Pierre, and Sal Olivas as Union II had more of the offensive chances in extra time.
The former U.S. youth national team goalkeeper also denied Nick Pariano in the second round of the shootout, but Andrew Rick also shined bright for Union II. Rick repelled Julian Bravo's effort in the third round before also denying Tyger Smalls in the fifth round.
Olney sealed Union II's advancement into the next round by roofing his spot kick into the top-right corner.
"Really proud of the group," said Union II head coach Marlon LeBlanc. "We get to play for a trophy here at home next weekend, that's fantastic as well."
Either Chicago Fire II or Columbus Crew 2 will make the trip to Subaru Park next weekend for the East Final against Union II.
North Texas SC 4, Tacoma Defiance 1
North Texas SC rolled to a spot in the Western Conference Final after breezing past Tacoma Defiance 4-1 at Choctaw Stadium.
Four different players scored for the West's No. 1 seed including Pedrinho and Logan Farrington. Despite being reduced to 10 men after the hour mark, NTSC held on to continue its dominant season.
It was the visitors who struck first though as Chris Aquino finished off Sebastian Gomez's pass for a 1-0 Tacoma lead.
However, the lead wouldn't last long as Pedrinho equalized for NTSC two minutes later. Diego Garcia's through ball pass allowed Pedrinho to slot home into the back of the net.
After hitting the crossbar in the first half, Farrington made his second chance count by propelling North Texas SC in front 2-1. Herbert Endeley's cross was finished by Farrington for his first MLS NEXT Pro goal of 2024.
Haitian international Carl Sainte extended North Texas SC's lead to 3-1 in the 66th minute after finishing off his own rebound.
Left back Tyshawn Rose was ejected in the 70th minute for NTSC, but Antino Lopez followed suit five minutes later for the Defiance.
Anthony Ramirez capped the final score at 4-1 for NTX, receiving a pass from Pedrinho before roofing a shot into the top-right corner.
"We still want more," said North Texas SC interim head coach Michel Garbini. "We're not going to stop here. Our motivation next week, we're going to play for a trophy, so we want to keep that trophy in Dallas."
NTSC will remain at home for the Western Conference Final against either St Louis CITY2 or The Town FC.
