Week 7 of MLS NEXT Pro action gets underway this weekend, with two games on Saturday and eight on Sunday. Let's take a look at how each team is doing heading into their matches this weekend:
Inter Miami II vs. Philadelphia Union II (7 p.m. ET)
DRV PNK Stadium hosts a rematch from earlier in the season when Union II visits Inter Miami II. Both teams scored three goals in a six-goal thriller the last time both played, and Philadelphia Union II earned the extra point in the shootout.
Since then, Union II has had mixed results in losing a close battle with Columbus Crew 2, and a shootout to Chicago Fire II, but snapping the skid with a 2-1 victory last weekend against NYCFC II.
Inter Miami II currently sits in third place in the Eastern Conference with 10 points. Defensive mistakes cost Inter Miami II points during their 1-0 loss to New England Revolution II last weekend. Head Coach Darren Powell's backline looks to bounce back from the narrow defeat and continue to jockey for a playoff spot.
St Louis CITY2 vs. Whitecaps FC 2 (8 p.m. ET)
In a battle of two of the top teams in the league, Whitecaps FC 2 visits St Louis CITY2 at St. Louis University Hermann Stadium.
Whitecaps FC 2 is turning heads around the league with their current three-game winning streak and five-game unbeaten run. After defeating Earthquakes II by 2-0 last week, WFC2 has now placed itself in playoff position by climbing to fourth place in the Western Conference with 12 points.
CITY 2 bounced back from a loss against Minnesota United II with a win against Real Monarchs. Josh Dolling led the way for CITY 2, scoring his first two goals of the season. With a record of 4-1-0, John Hackworth's team can continue to secure a spot amongst the Western Conference elite with a victory on Saturday.
Sporting KC II vs. Real Monarchs (2 p.m. ET)
This game has been chosen as the MLS NEXT Pro Game of the Week and the extended previrew can be found here.
NYCFC II vs. TFC II (4 p.m. ET)
A month after facing each other in Canada, Toronto FC II will travel to Belson Stadium in New York on Sunday in hopes of earning another three points against NYCFC II.
TFC II is coming off a 4-2 victory over FC Cincinnati II, scoring four goals in a game for the second time this season. Even more impressive was all of TFC II's goals came in the second half of the game after initially falling behind by two goals at halftime.
NYCFC II is in the midst of a two-game losing streak after falling to Philadelphia Union II last week. NYCFC II still leads MLS NEXT Pro in total offense even with back-to-back losses, scoring 16 goals in six games. If they can get a good result against Toronto FC II this weekend, NYCFC II will continue to be in an excellent position to fight for an Eastern Conference playoff spot.
Chicago Fire II vs. MNUFC2 (5 p.m. ET)
Chicago Fire II are still searching for their first-ever MLS NEXT Pro win after beating Philadelphia Union II in a Shootout a couple of weeks ago. Chicago Fire II's offense has come alive during their last two matches scoring a total of five goals after only scoring once in their first three weeks of action.
It's been a couple of weeks since Minnesota United 2 last played, having a great showing against CITY 2 on April 24th, defeating them 4-0. After losing their initial two MLS NEXT Pro matches, MNUFC2 is now in the middle of a three-game winning streak and will look to make it four wins in a row when they visit SeatGeek Stadium this Sunday. MNUFC2 is on the brink of being in playoff position in the Western Conference with nine points.
Earthquakes II vs. Timbers2 (5 p.m. ET)
Earthquakes II earned their first-ever MLS NEXT Pro win the last time these two teams met back in March. Since then, Quakes II have only been able to yield only one point in four matches, while Timbers2 has yet to earn a victory in five games played.
Timbers2 has earned all of their four points this season via shoutouts. The shootout win against Real Monarchs last weekend marked their second shootout victory of the season, with the other coming against Whitecaps FC 2.
FC Cincinnati 2 vs. RNY FC (5 p.m.)
FC Cincinnati comes into their game against RNY FC in the middle of a three-game skid. Tyrone Marshall's men have yet to replicate the great football they displayed during the first half against New England Revolution II during their Week 3 matchup. Arquimides Ordonez continues to be an x-factor for FCC2, having scored twice this season and providing an assist last weekend against TFC II.
RNY FC will visit NKU Soccer Stadium this Sunday in search of its first-ever MLS NEXT Pro victory. RNY FC's last game came against their in-state rival NYCFC II where they conceded a stoppage-time goal and narrowly lost by the scoreline of 3-2. Keep an eye on forward Wilterlyn Inalien, who scored a brace during his last outing and will look to replicate his performance this weekend.
New England Revolution II vs. Columbus Crew 2 (5 p.m. ET)
New England Revolution II will put their undefeated streak on the line this Sunday at Gillette Stadium when Columbus Crew 2 comes to town.
Revs II currently sits right behind Crew 2 for the top spot in the Eastern Conference with 12 points. 19-year-old Damian Rivera will need to continue his remarkable run of play (3 goals in 3 games played) for New England Revolution II to have a chance at a victory.
Columbus Crew 2 is currently riding a four-game winning streak and is doing so thanks to their great defense, which has only given up 1 goal in their last four games. Opposition teams have been unable to find a way around Laurent Courtois' strategy of non-stop pressing, and it's been paying dividends for Columbus Crew 2. Jacen Russell-Rowe is the player to watch for Crew 2 after scoring his third goal of the campaign during his last outing.
North Texas SC vs. Tacoma Defiance (5 p.m. ET)
Tacoma Defiance impressed many this past weekend when they handed the MLS NEXT Pro leader and Team of the Month Houston Dynamo 2 their first-ever defeat. They'll be looking to avenge their early-season shootout loss to North Texas SC when they visit Choctaw Stadium on Sunday.
Tacoma Defiance Forward Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez earned MLS NEXT Pro Player of the Month for April after scoring six goals in six weeks of action and will look to continue his goal-scoring ways in May.
North Texas SC bounced back from their loss to Houston Dynamo 2 by defeating Sporting KC II by 2-0 last weekend. The victory over SKCII marked the sixth straight game where North Texas SC scored at least once. 20-year-old Forward Bernard Kamungo leads the potent offense for North Texas SC, having found the back of the net four times this season.
Houston Dynamo 2 vs. Colorado Rapids 2 (9:15 p.m. ET)
Colorado Rapids 2 earned their first-ever MLS NEXT Pro victory last weekend when they defeated Timbers2 at home by three goals to one. Midfielder Yosuke Hanya bagged his second goal of the season and will need to be a key component in the offense against Houston Dynamo 2 for Rapids 2 to have a chance at back-to-back victories.
Dynamo 2's loss to Tacoma Defiance last weekend shocked many, but the result should not bother Kenny Bundy's side much as they continue to be MLS NEXT Pro's leader in points and goal difference.
One key piece to Houston Dynamo 2's attack may not be part of the side for long as Roberto "Beto" Avila was signed to the Houston Dynamo first team on Friday. The 21-year-old Avila had a great start to his MLS NEXT Pro career scoring five goals and the league's first-ever hat-trick.
