Matchday 13 concludes this weekend with several teams seeking a positive ending to a busy week.
Friday’s lone match comes from Choctaw Stadium as North Texas SC hosts Earthquakes II in Western Conference action. Only two points separate them in the standings for playoff seeding.
Sunday’s heavy slate of matches is headlined by top matchups in both conferences. In the East, first meets fifth as Crown Legacy FC hosts New York Red Bulls II. Crown Legacy FC rebounded midweek with a shutout win over Philadelphia Union II while Red Bulls II heads into the match fresh after no midweek fixture.
Colorado Rapids 2’s unbeaten run remains on the line with Erik Bushey’s squad hosting Tacoma Defiance on Sunday night in the Western Conference headliner. The Defiance have been off pace with last season’s impressive 2022 campaign while Rapids 2 continue to lead the West.
Here is a closer look at the Matchday 13 - Part 2 schedule:
Friday - 6/16
North Texas SC vs. Earthquakes II (8:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV)
Friday kickstarts another busy weekend of MLS NEXT Pro action as North Texas SC aims to rebound at home against Earthquakes II.
A 2-0 road loss to Timbers2 snapped NTX’s six-match unbeaten run in regulation, dropping them to fifth in the West standings. North Texas SC suffered a 5-3 shootout loss to Quakes II back in May as both teams failed to find the back of the net during the 90-minute match. Hope Avayevu and Jose Mulato are one of the more dangerous attacking pairs in the league with seven goals and three assists combined this season.
Earthquakes II are seeking their first regulation victory since May 19 after going to shootouts in each of their last two matches. A 6-5 shootout triumph over Tacoma Defiance on Matchday 12 featured Will Richmond’s third goal of 2023. Richmond leads the team with three goals and two assists and is a key player to watch for Daniel De Geer’s men.
Sunday - 6/18
Crown Legacy FC vs. New York Red Bulls II (5 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV)
Crown Legacy FC rebounded from its second loss of the 2023 campaign by shutting out Philadelphia Union II 2-0 at Subaru Park. Vinicius Mello and Patrick Agyemang both scored in the second half Jose Tavares’ men stayed top of the Eastern Conference. A home win on Sunday would give Crown Legacy FC a regular season sweep of Red Bulls II after a 3-1 road triumph back on April 9.
New York Red Bulls II have alternated results in their last four matches, most recently losing 3-1 to rivals NYCFC II on Matchday 12. Goals haven’t been an issue for Red Bulls II in recent weeks, after scoring two or more in three of their last four matches. However, back-to-back losses on the road is a troubling sign as Red Bulls II visit the East leaders on Sunday.
FC Cincinnati 2 vs. New England Revolution II (6 p.m. ET, MLSNEXTPRO.com
New England Revolution II moved to 5-1-1 in its last seven matches following a 1-0 midweek victory over NYCFC II. Malcolm Fry’s second-half goal was all Clint Peay’s squad needed to move two points back of East-leading Crown Legacy FC. Revs II have yet to lose against FC Cincinnati 2 in league play, winning 5-4 in a shootout back on April 30 after the clubs played out a thrilling 5-5 draw through 90 minutes. Revs II’s 31 goals in 2023 are the most in MLS NEXT Pro so far.
FC Cincinnati 2 have lost three of their last four matches and could surely use three points at home on Sunday. Tyrone Marshall’s squad have conceded two goals or more in each of those defeats, allowing three to Inter Miami II on June 8 and four to Orlando City B on June 11. Gerardo Valenzuela and Ryder Mills have been among the recent goalscorers for the Eastern Conference club.
Philadelphia Union II vs. Chicago Fire II (6 p.m. ET, MLSNEXTPro.com)
Philadelphia Union II closes out a three-match homestand on Sunday against Chicago Fire II.
Marlon LeBlanc’s squad fell 2-0 on Wednesday to Crown Legacy FC, suffering a second defeat in their past three matches. Union II’s -8 goal differential is tied for the second-worst in the East this season, something they will look to improve on against a Fire II squad that is four points behind them. Jeremy Rafanello leads the team with four goals this season.
Chicago Fire II extended their recent regulation unbeaten run to three matches after Thursday’s 1-0 home victory over Orlando City B. Charlie Ostrem’s first-half goal was all Ludovic Talliander’s squad needed to move to ninth place in the Eastern Conference standings.
Fire II has yet to defeat Union II in regulation in three prior league meetings.
Austin FC II vs. Timbers2 (7 p.m. ET, MLSNEXTPRO.com)
Austin FC II is starting to find its groove once again after claiming a third-straight win on Wednesday over St. Louis CITY2.
Brett Uttley’s squad defeated CITY2 by a 1-0 scoreline on Wednesday and now returns home for a Sunday night showdown with Timbers2. CJ Fodrey scored for the second-consecutive match while Austin FC II extended its current shutout streak to 320 minutes of action. A home victory would keep Austin FC II on the tail of West-leading Colorado Rapids 2.
Timbers2 extended their winning streak to four matches after earning a 2-1 road triumph over Houston Dynamo 2 on Thursday. Tega Ikoba and Florian Monzon both scored for Timbers2, propelling them to seventh place in the West standings. Monzon is in fine form for Timbers2, scoring four goals in his last four appearances.
Huntsville City FC vs. Inter Miami II (7 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV)
Huntsville City FC earned back-to-back victories on Thursday for the first time in MLS NEXT Pro and now returns home to face off with Inter Miami II.
Jack Collison’s squad used goals in each half to defeat TFC II by a 2-1 scoreline in midweek play. Kemy Amiche continued his fine run of form with his fifth goal of the season, while Josh Drack also found the back of the net. Huntsville City FC will be seeking their third home victory of the season, which would account for 75% of their regulation wins in total so far.
Inter Miami II have claimed four points out of a possible six in recent weeks, which has helped Federico Higuain’s squad rebound from a troubling losing run in late-May and early-June. Lawson Sunderland has scored in each of his last two appearances, giving Higuain another talented scoring threat to go with Lucas Meek in the final third. Inter Miami II is seeking to sweep Huntsville City FC this season after defeating the expansion side 4-3 back on April 23.
MNUFC2 vs. Whitecaps FC 2 (7 p.m. ET, MLSNEXTPRO.com)
MNUFC2 is slipping down the Western Conference standings and will be seeking a crucial result at home against Whitecaps FC 2. Cameron Knowles’ squad have conceded four goals in each of their last three losses, being outscored 12-4 over that span. Whitecaps FC 2 handed MNUFC2 a 5-2 loss back on April 23 and certainly will be aiming to cap the season sweep away from home. Diogo Pacheco remains a game changer for MNUFC2 after scoring six goals and adding four assists in 2023.
Whitecaps FC 2 snapped their three-match winless run on Thursday thanks to a 1-0 home triumph over Real Monarchs at Swangard Stadium. Levonte Johnson’s second-half goal was all Ricardo Clark’s side needed to remain in the top three of the Western Conference. Johnson scored twice in his first meeting with MNUFC2 this season and will be looking to add to his season total in this second matchup.
NYCFC II vs. Columbus Crew 2 (7 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV)
Columbus Crew 2 used a stoppage time equalizer and a 6-5 shootout victory to defeat ATL UTD 2 on Thursday and now Laurent Courtois’ men will visit NYCFC II on Sunday in another crucial Eastern Conference clash.
Brent Adu-Gyamfi’s 93rd-minute equalizer helped Crew 2 tie ATL UTD 2 late in Thursday’s match before picking up two points in the shootout. Gibran Rayo also found the back of the net for Crew 2, who have claimed five points out of their last possible six available. Rayo has continued to be a key signing from RNY FC and will be among the talented goalscoring options for Courtois’ to rely on.
NYCFC II’s four-match winning run came to an end on Wednesday following a 1-0 road loss to New England Revolution II. Matt Pilkington’s squad were shut out for the first time since May 14 and only the second time all season. NYCFC II lost both of their head-to-head meetings with Crew 2 in 2022 and will be hoping to exact revenge on the defending champions at Belson Stadium. Matthew Myers leads the team with five goals while Jonathan Jimenez and John Denis have six combined tallies.
TFC II vs. ATL UTD 2 (7 p.m. ET, MLSNEXTPRO.com)
ATL UTD 2 coughed up two points at the death on Thursday against Columbus Crew 2 and will hope for a 90-minute performance at TFC II on Sunday.
Nicolas Firmino and Jackson Conway both scored for ATL UTD 2, but a 93rd minute equalizer allowed Crew 2 to force a shootout. Firmino has eight goals scored this season, which are tied for the second-most in MLS NEXT Pro in 2023. However, back-to-back winless results will be high on ATL UTD 2’s mind heading to York Lions Stadium this weekend.
TFC II suffered their first home loss since May 14 on Thursday, falling 2-1 to Huntsville City FC. Jesus Batiz scored his sixth goal of the season, but ultimately the Canadian club’s late comeback came a little too late. Batiz has been one of the main bright spots for Gianni Cimini’s men in 2023, but he will need help in the final third if TFC II wants to start moving up the table.
LAFC2 vs. Sporting KC II (8 p.m. ET, MLSNEXTPRO.com)
LAFC2 will try to snap their two-match losing run on Sunday with Sporting KC II coming to town.
Back-to-back home defeats to Houston Dynamo 2 and Colorado Rapids 2 have kept LAFC2 bottom of the West table on seven points. Despite some positive performances in recent weeks, the expansion side ultimately needs to start delivering on both ends of the field to flip the script this summer. Diego Rosales has been key in the back for LAFC2, leading the team with 810 minutes played in 2023.
Sporting KC II earned their first shootout win on Thursday since April 2, downing Tacoma Defiance 5-4 on home soil. Ozzie Cisneros and Pau Vidal celebrated goals in the match before Benny Feilhaber’s squad scored on all five spot kicks in the shootout. SKC II defeated LAFC2 by a 2-1 scoreline back on April 9 and would sweep the regular season series with a road result on Sunday.
Colorado Rapids 2 vs. Tacoma Defiance (8:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV)
Colorado Rapids 2’s unbeaten run will face a new test on Sunday with Tacoma Defiance taking on Erik Bushey’s men.
Rapids 2 have continued to find ways to win after claiming two shootout results in the past four matches and also excelling on both ends of the field. A 1-0 road victory over LAFC2 on Matchday 12 featured Yosuke Hanya netting his eighth goal of the campaign. Hanya has been the leading man for the West leaders, but the scoring depth in the squad has also stepped up when needed.
Tacoma Defiance pegged Sporting KC II back twice in Thursday’s Western Conference showdown, but Wade Webber’s squad eventually fell 5-4 in a shootout. Paul Rothrock and Braudilio Rodrigues both found the back of the net in the loss, which extended Tacoma’s winless regulation streak to six matches. After back-to-back shootout defeats, the Defiance will need to leave it all on the table to knock off the West leaders away from home.
Real Monarchs vs. St. Louis CITY2 (10 p.m. ET, MLSNEXTPRO.com)
Back-to-back defeats for St. Louis CITY2 will have pressure on Bobby Murphy’s squad to turn things around on Sunday night.
A 1-0 home loss to Austin FC II condemned CITY2 to their second losing streak of 2023 heading into a trip to face Real Monarchs. Akil Watts and Wan Kuzain remain key leaders in the CITY2 squad while Johnny Klein leads the team with six goals. CITY2 swept Real Monarchs in last season’s series, outscoring them 4-0 over that span.
Real Monarchs’ struggling run of form continued on Thursday with a 1-0 road loss to Whitecaps FC 2. Jamison Olave’s squad is still seeking a surge up the West standings after losing three of their last five matches in league play. After failing to score in their two head-to-head matchups with St. Louis CITY2 last season, pressure will be on Monarchs to find the back of the net on Sunday.
