The final weekend of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro regular season is upon us with several playoff spots still up for grabs.
St. Louis CITY2’s home date with Tacoma Defiance headlines a packed Western Conference slate while LAFC2 also visits Sporting KC II in the late window of action.
A total of five teams will be fighting for the final playoff spot in the West with Real Monarchs currently hanging on to the eight and final spot.
Houston Dynamo 2, Austin FC II, Sporting KC II, and Timbers2 all remain alive heading into Decision Day.
The No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference remains open with Philadelphia Union II and FC Cincinnati 2 both in action. Union II travels to Chicago Fire II while FC Cincinnati 2 hosts Orlando City B.
Chattanooga FC and Columbus Crew 2 are currently on the outside looking in, while Carolina Core FC is holding on to the last playoff spot in the East.
Decision Day will see seven teams vying for the final five playoff spots in the Eastern Conference, making it a must-see event.
If you're interested in analyzing the entire playoffs-clinching scenarios for Decision Day, you can do so here.
In the meantime, here is a closer look at the Decision Day schedule:
All matches take place on Sunday, October 6.
Carolina Core vs. Inter Miami II (1 p.m. ET)
A spot in the playoffs is at stake for both clubs as both could clinch or be eliminated on Decision Day.
Carolina Core FC is currently occupying the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and will need a favorable result on Decision Day to stay there.
The MLS NEXT Pro new boys welcome Inter Miami II to town in the third of three regular-season meetings. Carolina Core FC have only earned one point out of six available against the Young Herons to date, but are unbeaten in their last three matches.
Inter Miami II are also fighting for a playoff spot and seek a winning end to their regular season schedule. After suffering a 5-2 loss at the hands of Crown Legacy FC, Federico Higuain’s squad will seek a bounce-back performance at Truist Point.
Ryan Carmichael’s nine goals and seven assists lead Inter Miami II in both categories.
Chattanooga FC vs. New York Red Bulls II (1 p.m. ET)
New York Red Bulls II won’t be headed to the playoffs this season but can play the role of spoiler against Chattanooga FC.
It’s been a disappointing overall campaign for Red Bulls II, but back-to-back wins over the last two weeks have them riding a bit of confidence this fall. Tanner Rosborough and Mohammed Sofo have scored in consecutive matches while Ibrahim Kasule also found the back of the net last weekend.
Chattanooga FC will need to avoid defeat to have any chance of making the playoffs.
CFC have defeated Columbus Crew 2 and TFC II in recent weeks, most recently defeating the Canadian club 5-1 away from home. Taylor Gray, Jesus Ibarra, and Mehdi Ouamri have all been influential players this season and will be expected to lead the way this Sunday.
Chicago Fire II vs. Philadelphia Union II (1 p.m. ET)
There will be plenty to play for when Chicago Fire II hosts East-leading Philadelphia Union II on Sunday.
Union II are currently first in the East and holds a one-point advantage over FC Cincinnati 2. Marlon LeBlanc’s youthful squad have won their last two matches, beating NYCFC II and ATL UTD 2 respectively.
Cavan Sullivan has remained an influential part of the attack, scoring one day after his 15th birthday.
Fire II have won two of their last three matches to give them a shot of making the postseason. MLS NEXT Pro Golden Boot leader David Poreba has 18 goals to his name this season and recently scored the winner in a 1-0 road triumph over Columbus Crew 2.
He’s already scored once in 2024 against Union II as well.
Crown Legacy FC vs. TFC II (1 p.m. ET)
Crown Legacy FC heads into Decision Day above the red line in the Eastern Conference but could very well drop out of the playoff spots with a home loss.
The hosts have yet to lose to TFC II in league play, last defeating them 4-0 in September 2023. 18-year-old Aron John is one to watch after delivering eight goals and 10 assists for Crown Legacy FC to date in 2024. John is just one assist away from breaking the single-season record for assists in MLS NEXT Pro.
TFC II have lost each of their last two matches and ultimately want to end their season on a positive note. Julian Altobelli has missed the last couple of games due to injury but leads the way with 10 goals while adding three assists in 2024. Look for Hassan Ayari to step up if Altobelli is absent once again.
FC Cincinnati 2 vs. Orlando City B (1 p.m. ET)
Second hosts third in Eastern Conference play as FC Cincinnati 2 welcomes Orlando City B to town.
Tyrone Marshall’s men know three points at home could be what boosts them into the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. A 3-1 road loss to NYCFC II was a setback for FCC2, who previously were unbeaten in regulation over their last three matches.
Confidence is high in the Orlando City B squad, especially after winning four in a row.
OCB have scored 13 goals over their last five matches, with Jack Lynn and Alex Freeman (three goals apiece) leading the way. Both players have been key in OCB’s turnaround this season and will be among the key players to watch on Sunday from TQL Stadium.
New England Revolution II vs. Columbus Crew 2 (1 p.m. ET)
Columbus Crew 2 will need to snap their bad run of form if they want to have any chance of making the playoffs.
Crew 2 has lost three in a row and overall hasn’t won a match in regulation over their past six. They’ve only scored more than one goal in one of those matches, most recently losing 1-0 to Chicago Fire II. Brent Adu-Gyamfi and Chase Adams will need to be influential if Crew 2 wants to avoid an early offseason.
New England Revolution II hasn’t won a match in regulation since June 14, enduring their worst run of form in MLS NEXT Pro. Marcos Dias and Alex Monis have been a positive 1-2 punch for Revs II, but ultimately their 56 goals conceded (second-most in the East) are a major reason they are bottom of the standings.
NYCFC II vs. Huntsville City FC (1 p.m. ET)
NYCFC II will be favored to get the job done against Huntsville City FC on Sunday afternoon. Despite Huntsville being eliminated, a spot in the playoffs is at stake for the team from New York.
Matt Pilkington’s squad are above the red line in the Eastern Conference, but cannot afford a loss on home soil with so many teams surrounding them. A 3-1 home victory over FC Cincinnati 2 provided another glimpse of what NYCFC II can do, even against the best teams in MLS NEXT Pro.
Taylor Calheira’s 14 goals and five assists have made him one prospect to watch heading into 2025.
Huntsville City FC have only won one of their last five matches in regulation heading into Decision Day. Inconsistencies on both ends of the field have led to Huntsville City FC not making the playoffs this year, but a finale win in New York could be a good sign going forward.
Jonathan Bolanos has been their best player in 2024, scoring eight goals and adding seven assists to date.
Austin FC II vs. The Town FC (4 p.m. ET)
Two teams riding different runs of form will meet at Parmer Field on Decision Day.
The Town FC have won their last three matches and four of their last five overall. 19-year-old goalkeeper Emi Ochoa has registered clean sheets in his last three appearances, which earned him Player of Matchweek 29 honors. The Town FC’s 11 clean sheets overall in 2024 are the most in MLS NEXT Pro.
Despite winning only one of their last five matches in regulation, Austin FC II are still in the playoff hunt. A home win will give them the best shot of clinching a playoff berth, while anything less would mean their season comes to an end.
Colorado Rapids 2 vs. Timbers2 (4 p.m. ET)
Timbers2 needs three points on the road in Colorado on Sunday and luckily for them, they have a recent positive history over Rapids 2.
Timbers2 has an earlier win back in April over Rapids 2 which could give Timbers2 a confidence boost heading into Decision Day. However, losing four of their last five means the odds will be against them in terms of getting a result at a crucial time of the season.
Colorado Rapids 2 took a major step back in 2024 but could end the season on a much-needed high note Sunday.
Rapids 2 have failed to win any of their last seven matches in regulation, which is a big reason why they are bottom of the West. Erik Bushey will look for some of his young stars to rise and finish the season on a good note on Sunday.
Houston Dynamo 2 vs. Whitecaps FC 2 (4 p.m. ET)
Whitecaps FC 2 are guaranteed a playoff spot this fall while Houston Dynamo 2 are fighting for their lives.
The Canadian visitors have struggled in recent weeks, scoring only four goals in their last five matches and failing to register a clean sheet in their last 11. Nicolas Chateau and Eliot Goldthorp have been key players in the squad, but even their goal-scoring abilities haven’t helped Whitecaps FC 2 in recent weeks.
Houston Dynamo 2 have won three of their last six overall in regulation but most recently lost 2-0 at Tacoma Defiance last weekend. Dynamo Dos possesses one of the league’s top players in Diego Gonzalez (five goals, nine assists) and he will looked upon once again to help lead his side to victory and a playoff spot.
North Texas SC vs. MNUFC2 (4 p.m. ET)
Two of MLS NEXT Pro’s in-form teams square off from Choctaw Stadium on Sunday.
North Texas SC welcomes MNUFC2 to town as both teams seek three points to end their regular season schedule. NTX are unbeaten in regulation over their past five matches, most recently dating Sporting KC II in a shootout. Pedrinho, Tarik Scott, and Enes Sali have all registered double-digits in terms of combined goals and assists this season.
MNUFC2 have won three of their last four matches in regulation, but sadly, their recent run of form came a bit too late and just missed out on postseason play. Recent victories over Sporting KC II and Colorado Rapids 2 have extended MNUFC’s unbeaten run this fall.
Five players have contributed goals in the last two wins including Anthony Markanich and Samuel Shashoua.
Real Monarchs vs. Ventura County FC (4 p.m. ET)
Real Monarchs and Ventura County FC meet on Sunday with both teams riding opposite levels of form.
Monarchs have defeated LAFC2 and Timbers2 in their last two matches, extending their regulation unbeaten streak to five overall. Goalkeeper William Mackay has been key in that recent success, while Zavier Gozo has scored in three straight matches.
Three points at home plus positive results elsewhere should be enough to get Monarchs into the playoffs, while anything less could mean their season ends in disappointment.
Ventura County FC have lost their last three matches heading into Decision Day. Despite scoring nine goals in their last five matches, VCFC haven’t posted a clean sheet in their last nine games.
Ruben Ramos Jr has been the star player up front for VCFC with eight goals and four assists.
Sporting KC II vs. LAFC2 (4 p.m. ET)
Sporting KC II needs three points at home against LAFC2 to have any chance of making the playoffs.
Benny Feilhaber’s men have won two of their last five matches in regulation but have coughed up results away against North Texas SC, LAFC2, and MNUFC2. Despite winning their first two head-to-head meetings with LAFC2, SKC II failed to defeat Sunday’s opponents three weeks ago.
LAFC2 have lost their last two matches, being shutout in each. Adrian Wibowo leads the team with nine goals and six assists but will need help if LAFC2 wants to make a deep playoff run.
St. Louis CITY2 vs. Tacoma Defiance (4 p.m. ET)
Second meets fourth in the Western Conference on Sunday.
St. Louis CITY2 hosts Tacoma Defiance looking to make it four wins out of their last six overall. Mykhi Joyner leads the team with 15 goals while Brendan McSorley has chipped in 10 goals. Johnny Klein also remains a key two-way threat with five goals and six assists.
Tacoma Defiance have won three of their last five matches and could claim the No. 3 seed with a win on the road paired with The Town FC dropping points. Chris Aquino has 10 goals to his name this season and could be a key threat in the Defiance knocking off CITY2 on their home field.
