A busy weekend in MLS NEXT Pro Matchday 10 kicked off with several exciting results, including gritty road wins by New York Red Bulls II and Real Monarchs. Friday's matches featured Red Bulls II moving up the table in the Eastern Conference, and Tacoma Defiance and Real Monarchs picking up points in the Western Conference.
Let's take a look back on Matchday 10 action on Friday.
Huntsville City FC (1) - New York Red Bulls II (2)
New York Red Bulls II extended its winning streak to three games, spoiling the party in Huntsville City FC's second match at Joe Davis Stadium. A penalty kick converted by Ibrahim Kasule sent Red Bulls II home with all three points.
Ronald Donkor struck first for Red Bulls II in the ninth minute, finishing off a cross from Oladayo Thomas, who notched his second goal contribution in two games. HCFC equalized in the 18th minute thanks to a set piece goal off the head of Christopher N'Sa.
Red Bulls II continued excellent defensive play, allowing only one goal in the previous three games. HCFC dropped points for the first time in two games.
Sporting Kansas City II (0) - Real Monarchs (1)
Real Monarchs used an own-goal to take three points against Sporting Kansas City II from a road trip to Rock Chalk Park. A deflection by Lucas Rosa found its way in the net in the 31st minute.
Sporting KC II controlled much of the run of play, but Real Monarchs took their chances. Sporting KC II maintained 54.6% of possession and took three shots on goal from 12 total shots.
The loss for Sporting KC II ends a three-match unbeaten run. It is also the first time in 2023 that the club has been shut out. Real Monarchs emerged out of a three-game losing streak with the win.
Tacoma Defiance (1) - Los Angeles Football Club 2 (1) (Defiance wins shootout 3-1)
Tacoma Defiance goalkeeper Jacob Castro saved the final spot kick to hand his team two points in this Western Conference battle. Castro also made four saves as Defiance bounced back from a late LAFC2 equalizer.
LAFC2's Christian Torres scored in the 81st minute to make it 1-1. Torres collected a pass following a quick turnover, dribbled past a defender at the top of the 18-yard box and scored into the bottom left corner. Torres' goal canceled out an LAFC2 own goal in the 51st minute.
Defiance got back on track by picking up two points after last week's loss to Whitecaps FC 2. Defiance lies fourth in the Western Conference, with a game in hand as an opportunity to move up further. LAFC2 picked up at least a point for the third straight week, but were unable to follow up last week's win over Real Monarchs.
