MLS NEXT Pro: Matchweek 4 Standouts Crowned

Staff Writer
21 hours ago
2 min read

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NEW YORK — As the first month of the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro season draws to a close, Matchweek 4 delivered a series of "firsts." From dominant road victories to record-breaking individual hauls, the league’s top honors this week belong to a cast of rising stars making their mark on the professional landscape.

Leading the way are San Jose Earthquakes II, Toronto FC II’s Fletcher Bank, and Philadelphia’s latest academy sensation, Lennon Harrington.

Team of the Matchweek: San Jose Earthquakes II

The Quakes II earned their first Team of the Matchweek selection of the season following a comprehensive 4-1 dismantling of the defending Western Conference champions, Colorado Rapids 2.

It was a performance defined by high-intensity pressure and clinical finishing. San Jose outshot the Rapids 24-11, with goals coming from Zach Bohane and Shane de Flores, alongside an own goal forced by the Quakes' relentless attack. The highlight of the night, however, belonged to 16-year-old U.S. youth prospect Kaedren Spivey, who opened his professional account in the 58th minute to put the game out of reach. The win catapults San Jose into fourth place in the West with a 2W-1L-1T record.

Player of the Matchweek: Fletcher Bank (Toronto FC II)

Is this the breakout performance of the season? 22-year-old winger Fletcher Bank put on a masterclass in Toronto FC II’s 5-0 thrashing of NYCFC II, having a direct hand in all five goals (2 goals, 3 assists).

The Bakersfield, California native—originally drafted in 2024 out of Stanford University—has hit the ground running since signing with the Young Reds for the 2026 campaign. After recording an assist last week against Columbus, Bank’s five-point explosion in New York makes him the undeniable choice for Player of the Matchweek.

Rising Star of the Matchweek: Lennon Harrington (Philadelphia Union II)

The Philadelphia Union academy pipeline continues to produce results. 17-year-old midfielder Lennon Harrington earned the Rising Star nod after coming off the bench to rescue points for Union II in a "rollercoaster" 1-1 draw against defending champions Red Bull New York II.

Entering a scoreless deadlock in the 57th minute, Harrington provided the spark Philly desperately needed, netting a clutch open-play header on the team's very first shot of the match. When the game headed to a chaotic shootout, the teenager remained unfazed, converting his penalty to help Union II secure a vital extra point on the road.

Matchweek 4 Snapshot

Award	Winner	Club	Notable Stat
Team of the MW	Quakes II	San Jose	24 shots in 4-1 win vs. Rapids 2
Player of the MW	Fletcher Bank	Toronto FC II	2 Goals / 3 Assists in 5-0 win
Rising Star	Lennon Harrington	Union II	Go-ahead goal + PK conversion

As the league transitions into April, the focus shifts to whether these "first-timers" can maintain their momentum or if a new crop of talent will rise to the occasion in Matchweek 5.