FC Cincinnati U-19 Academy forward Ryder Mills was named MLS NEXT Performer of the Matchday for Matchday 2, the league announced on Monday.
Mills, 18, scored his first goal in his MLS NEXT Pro debut for FC Cincinnati 2 in Friday’s 2-1 loss to Crown Legacy FC. Mills came on as a second half substitute for fellow forward Ben Stitz and scored three minutes later to bring the Orange and Blue within a goal of the Crown.
Mills is the first FC Cincinnati Academy player to earn the honor and the second FC Cincinnati 2 player named in MLS NEXT Pro’s weekly awards (Arquimides Ordoñez, Week 1). Mills and FC Cincinnati 2 return home on Sunday, April 9 as they take on Huntsville City FC at Scudamore Field at NKU Soccer Stadium at 5 p.m. ET.
