HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY. (Sunday, September 20, 2026) - Crown Legacy FC clinched the number one spot in the Eastern Conference with a 2-1 victory over FC Cincinnati 2 to round out its 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Regular Season run. Nathan Richmond's match-winning goal marked his ninth of the season, bringing his 2026 goal contribution tally to 19 (9G+10A).
Cincinnati got on the board after forcing a counter attack in the 57th minute. Forward Stefan Chirila pulled his defender out to the left side of the penalty area before cutting the ball back and sliding a pass to a then open Nathan Gray, who took a touch and slotted a shot to the bottom right corner of goal.
Legacy found the equalizer in the 72nd minute when Academy product Magic Smalls found Hugo Mbongue making a run past Cincinnati's backline, setting him up for a one-on-one chance that he sent just past the keeper for his 14th goal of the season.
Richmond found the winner for the visitors in the 79th minute after positioning himself well in the box to meet a cross sent in by Mikah Thomas. The winger met the ball with his head to redirect it to the back post and clinch the top spot in the East for CLFC.
Crown Legacy FC will select its first round Playoff opponent this Wednesday, September 23 and will host its selection at Mecklenburg County Sportsplex the weekend of October 16-18.
Match Notes:
- Crown Legacy FC clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference and won the Southeast Division with a 15-5-8 record (58 points). They will be the first Eastern Conference team to select its opponent for the Playoffs.
- CLFC ended the season with the most goals scored in MLS NEXT Pro with 67 goals scored and 38 allowed, a +28 goal differential.
- Nathan Richmond's match-winning goal marked his ninth of the year, which brought his goal contribution number to 19 in his first professional season (9G+10A).
- Hugo Mbongue's equalizer in the 72nd minute marked his 14th goal of the year. In his first season in Charlotte, Mbongue tallied 18 goal contributions (14G+4A).
- After earning a professional contract earlier this week, Academy product Magic Smalls assisted the equalizer, notching his third assist of the year.
- Mikah Thomas recorded his third assist of the year after setting up the match-winning goal for Nathan Richmond.
Scoring Summary:
- 57' - CIN - Nathan Gray (Stefan Chirila)
- 72' - CLFC - Hugo Mbongue (Magic Smalls)
- 79' - CLFC - Nathan Richmond (Mikah Thomas)
Disciplinary Summary:
- 65' - CLFC - Andrew Johnson (Caution 🟨)
- 90'+1' - CLFC - Mikah Thomas (Caution 🟨)
- 90'+3' - CLFC - Daniel Longo (Caution 🟨)
Stats: Click HERE
