The 2024 MLS NEXT Pro regular season entered the first weekend of summer with many teams staying hot in their respective runs of form.
St. Louis CITY2 and Whitecaps FC 2 both extended their unbeaten runs to five matches apiece, setting the pace in the Western Conference. Philadelphia Union II enjoyed a bye week this weekend while FC Cincinnati took advantage by moving right behind the East leaders.
Chattanooga FC suffered a setback against Carolina Core FC while North Texas SC extended their regulation unbeaten streak to five matches after defeating Austin FC II in a shootout.
Here is a closer look at MLS NEXT Pro's Top 10 Power Rankings following Matchweek 15:
10.) NYCFC II
NYCFC II's Matchweek 15 showdown with TFC II was postponed, giving the Eastern Conference club a short rest period.
Riding a three-match winning streak, NYCFC II are in a good spot right now ahead of another bye week to end June's schedule. Taylor Calheira continues to be a key player for NYCFC II this year, contributing seven goals and three assists to date.
Calheira's production will certainly be needed when NYCFC II next visits second-place FC Cincinnati 2.
Last Match: Postponed.
Next Match: at FC Cincinnati 2 on Sunday, July 7.
9.) LAFC2
LAFC2 registered a key bounce-back win against in-state rivals The Town FC on Sunday.
Erik Duenas and Adrian Wibowo both scored goals in a 2-0 home triumph, helping LAFC2 rebound from back-to-back thumpings. The result was the first home win for Junior Gonzalez's men since April 28, which now sets the tone for a tough spell of matches against Colorado Rapids 2, St. Louis CITY2, and Ventura County FC.
Last Match: 2-0 win vs. The Town FC.
Next Match: vs. Colorado Rapids 2 on Friday, June 28.
8.) Ventura County FC
Ventura County FC suffered a setback of their own on home soil this past weekend.
A 3-2 home loss to high-flying Whitecaps FC 2 marked the third-consecutive match in which VCFC was unable to earn all three points. Javier Corona and Sean Karani scored in the first half, but the Canadian visitors fought back in the second half to steal the victory.
A rivalry showdown with The Town FC comes on Sunday, providing a good opportunity for VCFC to bounce back.
Last Match: 3-2 loss vs. Whitecaps FC 2.
Next Match: at The Town FC on Sunday, June 30.
7.) Whitecaps FC 2
Things are looking mighty bright for Whitecaps FC 2.
The Canadian club extended their winning streak to five matches after a 3-2 comeback result over Ventura County FC. Jay Herdman, Eliot Goldthorp, and Dembo Saidykhan all scored goals as Whitecaps FC 2 continued their impressive turnaround in 2024.
A top-two clash with St. Louis CITY2 in Matchweek 16 will be a good test for both teams in the West.
Last Match: 3-2 win at Ventura County FC.
Next Match: vs. St. Louis CITY2 on Sunday, June 30.
6.) Chicago Fire II
Matchweek 15 featured another impressive result for Chicago Fire II.
A dramatic 7-6 shootout victory over Columbus Crew 2 extended Fire II's regulation unbeaten streak to five matches. Harold Osorio continued his impressive campaign by scoring his eighth goal of the year before goalkeeper Patrick Los made five key saves to preserve two points.
Fire II are now in touching distance of first place in the East.
Last Match: 1-1, SOW at Columbus Crew 2.
Next Match: at Crown Legacy FC on Sunday, June 30.
5.) Chattanooga FC
Matchweek 15 featured a setback result for Chattanooga FC.
CFC's 2-1 home loss to Carolina Core FC snapped their regulation unbeaten streak at four matches. Jalen James cut CFC's deficit in half on Saturday, but that was the closest that CFC would get to a comeback.
The result marked CFC's first home regulation loss of 2024.
Last Match: 2-1 loss vs. Carolina Core FC.
Next Match: vs. Crown Legacy FC on Saturday, July 6.
4.) FC Cincinnati 2
Make it three-straight wins for FC Cincinnati 2!
Tyrone Marshall's squad continues to be one of the top teams in MLS NEXT Pro this season. A 2-1 home win against Huntsville City FC extended their latest winning streak, putting pressure on Philadelphia Union II for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.
Guilherme and Kenji Mboma Dem both scored in Sunday's triumph, giving FCC2 a +10 goal differential now this season (second-best in the East).
Last Match: 2-1 win vs. Huntsville City FC.
Next Match: vs. New England Revolution II on Sunday, June 30.
3.) North Texas SC
Another Western Conference club enjoying a good run of form is North Texas SC.
NTX extended their regulation unbeaten streak to five matches after defeating Texas rivals Austin FC II 5-3 in a shootout. The two teams played out a thrilling 3-3 result from Choctaw Stadium before NTX picked up an extra point in the shootout. Enes Sali, Pedro Fonseca, and Tarik Scott all added to their goalscoring statistics with regulation tallies.
NTX has now outscored their opponents 14-5 during their unbeaten run.
Last Match: 3-3, SOW vs. Austin FC II.
Next Match: at Real Monarchs on Sunday, June 30.
2.) Philadelphia Union II
Marlon LeBlanc's Philadelphia Union II squad did not feature this weekend but will return midweek with confidence on their side.
A 3-0 road win over Crown Legacy FC back on June 13 helped Union II rebound from a tough loss to FC Cincinnati 2. 2024 standouts C.J. Olney, David Vazquez, and Andrew Rick have all been earning key minutes in MLS with the first team, another testament to Philadelphia's continued work towards helping young players.
A midweek showdown with New York Red Bulls II comes on Wednesday.
Last Match: Bye Week.
Next Match: vs. New York Red Bulls II on Wednesday, June 26.
1.) St. Louis CITY2
Everything is clicking right now for West-leading St. Louis CITY2.
Bobby Murphy's squad extended their winning run to five matches on Sunday after a 2-0 shutout victory over Sporting KC II. Mykhi Joyner and John Klein both delivered second-half goals as CITY2 registered their third defensive clean sheet in a row.
CITY2's latest win now moves them four points clear atop the league standings.
Last Match: 2-0 win vs. Sporting KC II
Next Match: at Whitecaps FC 2 on Sunday, June 30.
