Eastern Conference Champion Philadelphia Union II is headed west and will face North Texas SC for MLS NEXT Pro Cup 2024 on Saturday, November 9th at 8:30PM ET.
Union II turned in a dominant display on both ends of the field with three different goalscorers on the scoresheet while limiting the two-time Eastern Conference Champions Columbus Crew 2 to just one shot on the night. Union forward Markus Anderson bookended the the contest with a brace to help Union II on the socring front, finding the back of the net in the 16th minute to put the home side ahead. 15-year-old Cavan Sullivan sent Subaru Park into frenzy with his second golazo of the season against the Ohio side in the 42nd minute to put the Boys in Blue in the driver's seat.
The second half was all Union II with vice captain Frankie Westfield bagging a goal just before the hour mark before Anderson completed the brace.
North Texas SC ran away with the best overall record in MLS NEXT Pro with 62 points and a 16-4-8 regular season record. The FC Dallas tied side took advantage in front of their home supporters with a 9-0-5 record. Goalkeeper Michael Collodi was voted the leagues's Goalkeeper of the Year after backstopping his team to the best record in the League. The 23-year-old led all MLS NEXT Pro goalkeepers in wins (13), tied for first in clean sheets (6), ranked second in save percentage (73.1%) and ranked third in games played, games started and minutes (23gp, 23gs, 1991 mins). Collodi conceded only 28 goals on the year, the least amount by a goalkeeper with 19 or more games played in 2024. He was also named the MLS NEXT Pro Goalkeeper of the Month for May. Nico Gordon joined Collodi with MLS NEXT Pro Best XI honors too as they rolled in the postseason with home victories over Whitecaps 2, Tacoma Defiance and St Louis CITY2.
