MLS NEXT PRO: Crown Legacy FC, Edouard Nys Headline Matchweek 2 Honors
- Staff Writer
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — MLS NEXT Pro has officially announced its top performers for Matchweek 2, with Crown Legacy FC, North Texas SC striker Edouard Nys, and Houston Dynamo 2 prospect Mattheo Dimareli earning top honors following a high-scoring weekend across the league.
Crown Legacy FC was named the Team of the Matchweek after a dominant 7-2 victory over Huntsville City FC. The Charlotte-based side put on an offensive clinic, led by prized prospects Rodolfo Aloko and Nimfasha Berchimas. Aloko finished the day with two goals and an assist, while Berchimas added a goal and a helper of his own.
The scoring barrage began early with a third-minute opener from newcomer Hugo Mbongue. Although Huntsville proved resilient in the first half, Crown Legacy’s relentless pressure resulted in a 5-2 lead by halftime, capped by a stoppage-time strike from Nick Richmond. Second-half insurance goals from defenders Assane Oudrago and Will Cleary sealed the result, vaulting Crown Legacy to the top of the Eastern Conference with a league-leading goal differential.
In the individual spotlight, North Texas SC’s Edouard Nys claimed Player of the Matchweek honors after recording a professional hat trick in a win over Colorado Rapids 2. Originally signed as a midfielder just last month, Nys excelled in the No. 9 role, finding the back of the net in the 24th, 42nd, and 66th minutes.
Nys, a 21-year-old Belgian international, has made an immediate impact since being selected 40th overall in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft. The former University of Illinois Chicago standout already boasts four goals on the young season. His clinical finishing proved to be the difference-maker as North Texas secured its first victory of the 2026 campaign.
The league’s offensive explosion this week underscored a growing trend of high-tempo play, as teams begin to find their rhythm in the opening month of the season.
The Rising Star of the Matchweek honor was awarded to 16-year-old Mattheo Dimareli of Houston Dynamo 2. The academy product notched a first-half brace in a 4-0 win over Tacoma Defiance, continuing a perfect start for "Dynamo Dos."
Dimareli has been a consistent presence in the Houston system since debuting at age 14, and his international future remains a point of high interest. Currently eligible for the United States, Mexico, Greece, and Albania, the young forward’s stock continues to rise as he becomes a focal point of the Dynamo 2 attack.
As the league heads into Matchweek 3, the focus shifts to whether these early standouts can maintain their momentum or if a new set of faces will emerge in the hunt for the MLS NEXT Pro Cup.
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