Matchday 17 in MLS NEXT Pro brought a tight clash toward the top of the Eastern Conference, with an excellent performance from New England Revolution II and the first 'El Trafichico' meeting between LA Galaxy II and Los Angeles Football Club 2. Three Wednesday matches set the tone for another exciting week of action in the league.
Here are Wednesday's results from Matchday 17.
LA Galaxy II (4) - Los Angeles Football Club 2 (3)
LA Galaxy II took the bragging rights in the first ever edition of 'El Trafichico' between Los Angeles' rival clubs. Four Galaxy II players scored as the team made it three games unbeaten.
Alex Alcala, an 18-year-old Academy player, opened scoring in the 28th minute by punching in the rebounded save of an acrobatic attempt from Gino Vivi Quesada. Adrian Gonzalez added a penalty kick goal in the 34th minute, and Quesada started the second half strong with a goal to make it 3-0.
Galaxy II top scorer Aaron Bibout scored his 10th goal of the 2023 season in the 79th minute, making the most of a skillful pass from Gonzalez, who finished the match with a goal and an assist.
LAFC2 piled on the pressure with late attacking momentum. Adrian Wibowo pulled one goal back in the 69th minute. Favian Vazquez scored a penalty kick in the 82nd minute, and LAFC2 faced only a one-goal deficit in the final minutes after Matheus Maia scored two minutes later.
TFC II (1) - Philadelphia Union II (1) (TFC II wins shootout 4-2)
Julian Altobelli scored the decisive spot kick as TFC II claimed two points from a match at York Lions Stadium. Anthony Curic preserved the chance to pick up points by scoring in the 84th minute to equal a Union II goal from Jeremy Rafanello in the 55th minute.
TFC II broke out of a three-game losing streak with the two points. Union II picked up a point and remain three games unbeaten after a 10-day break.
New England Revolution II (3) - Crown Legacy FC (1)
New England Revolution II kicked off a second team-first team doubleheader at Gillette Stadium in excellent fashion, grabbing all three points against Eastern Conference leader Crown Legacy FC.
Marcos Dias opened scoring in the 19th minute as Revs II broke forward after winning the ball high up the field. Jordan Adebayo-Smith scored his eighth goal of the season with a clean finish after a breakaway. Peyton Miller, a 15-year-old, scored in his second straight game with a goal in the 69th minute. Crown Legacy's David Poreba pulled a goal back, converting a penalty kick.
Crown Legacy FC had previously held a convincing lead on all other Eastern Conference contenders, but Revs II's win closes that gap to just three points. Revs II stretched its unbeaten run to four games, with two wins in a row.
