MLS NEXT Pro Matchweek 5 is in the books, which means it's time to show off the standout performers from the week.
Philadelphia Union II earned Team of the Matchweek with a statement win that saw five different goal scorers open their 2025 accounts.
LAFC 2 midfielder Matt Evans played the super sub role to earn Player of the Matchweek honor in a 3-2 win over the Tacoma Defiance.
Defending MLS NEXT Pro Cup champs North Texas SC relied on Academy talent for a shootout win on the road, and Ian Charles' late heroics ensured the points and earned him the Rising Star of the Matchweek honor.
Read more about Matchday 5's winners below:
MLS NEXT Pro Team of Matchweek 5: Philadelphia Union II
Variety is the spice of life, right?
Union II scored in all kinds of ways in their 5-1 win over Atlanta United 2. By headers, on the break, and from the spot, the defending Eastern Conference champs put it all on display with five different goal scorers.
The win was their first of the season and a breakout they’d been looking for after being held to only three goals in their first three games.
Union II sits in seventh place in the East after the commanding Matchweek 5 performance.
MLS NEXT Pro Player of Matchweek 5: Matt Evans
Evans put on the cape in the midfield when LAFC 2 was trailing the Tacoma Defiance 1-0 on Thursday.
He came on in the second half and got in on all three goals to flip the script for a 3-2 win and send the fans at Titan Stadium home happy.
His big outing started with an assist to Charlie Rosenthal to tie things up, then he rifled in a Goal of the Matchweek entry in the 52nd minute and was cool from the spot for the game-winner in the 88th.
An incredible 45-minute shift for the 18-year-old Simi Valley native.
Evans signed with LAFC 2 in July of 2024 and earned a first-team call-up last season. On the international stage, he's represented both the United States and Guatemala at youth levels.
MLS NEXT Rising Star of Matchweek 5: Ian Charles
An Academy link-up to earn a result on the road? The FC Dallas and North Texas staff will take that any week of the season.
Trailing on the road to Austin FC II, 18-year-old FC Dallas Academy centerback slotted in an 80th-minute ball sent in by recent Academy grad Josh Torquato to tie the game.
That moment sent North Texas SC on to a 4-2 shootout win to claim in-state rivalry bragging rights in addition to the extra oomph of winning the battle between the two most recent MLS NEXT Pro Cup champions.
The goal was the first at the pro level of Charles' budding career.
