The 2024 MLS NEXT Pro regular season heads into July with the races atop both conferences remaining just as hot as they have been all year long.
Philadelphia Union II rebounded on Sunday with a lopsided win over TFC II, keeping them in the drivers seat of the Eastern Conference. West-leading St. Louis CITY2 suffered a setback against high-flying Whitecaps FC while North Texas SC picked up a crucial three points on the road.
LAFC2, FC Cincinnati 2, and Tacoma Defiance were among the big winners at home this weekend.
Here is a closer look at MLS NEXT Pro's Top 10 Power Rankings following Matchweek 16:
10.) Tacoma Defiance
Back-to-back wins have boosted Tacoma Defiance back into the MLS NEXT Pro Power Rankings.
A 3-0 victory over Real Monarchs was followed up by a 1-0 win over rivals Timbers2. Jacob Castro and Andrew Thomas both registered clean sheets as Herve Diese's men have rebounded nicely from a three-match losing streak.
Last Match: 1-0 win vs. Timbers2.
Next Match: vs. Sporting KC II on Sunday, July 7.
9.) Chicago Fire II
Chicago Fire II's regulation unbeaten streak ended on Sunday at Crown Legacy FC, but overall they remain as one of the more consistent teams this summer.
Prior to Sunday's lopsided defeat, Fire II had went unbeaten in regulation over their previous five matches, winning three in regulation and two in shootouts. David Poreba and Harold Osorio have combined for 18 goals to date, becoming one of the league's top 1-2 offensive punches.
Last Match: 5-1 loss at Crown Legacy FC.
Next Match: vs. Inter Miami II on Saturday, July 6.
8.) Ventura County FC
Ventura County FC's undefeated record in shootouts moved to 5-0 on Sunday night.
A 6-5 shootout win over rivals The Town FC helped VCFC bounce back from a 3-2 loss to Whitecaps FC 2 the prior weekend. Aaron Bibout registered a brace in regulation while Ruben Ramos also continued his impressive season with a goal of his own.
VCFC remain fourth following their third shootout win out of the past four matches.
Last Match: 3-3, SOW at The Town FC.
Next Match: vs. Houston Dynamo 2 on Friday, July 5.
7.) LAFC2
LAFC2 enjoyed back-to-back wins for the first time since early-May.
A 3-2 victory over Colorado Rapids 2 featured a first MLS NEXT Pro goal by Javier Hernandez, as well as additional tallies by Adrian Wibowo and Decarlo Guerra. LAFC2 remains well in the hunt for the playoff spot, sitting fifth after their latest home success.
Last Match: 3-2 win vs. Colorado Rapids 2.
Next Match: at St. Louis CITY2 on Saturday, July 6.
6.) Chattanooga FC
Chattanooga FC enjoyed a weekend of rest and recovery but now prepare for a tough pair of matches.
A home clash with Crown Legacy FC (who are coming off a 5-1 win this past weekend) is next on CFC's schedule this Saturday before a trip to East-leading Philadelphia Union II. Luckily for CFC, their 18 points earned at home are the most in the East so far this season.
Last Match: Off Week.
Next Match: vs. Crown Legacy FC on Saturday, July 6.
5.) Whitecaps FC 2
Whitecaps FC 2 are the hottest team in MLS NEXT Pro right now.
A 3-1 home victory over St. Louis CITY2 extended Whitecaps FC 2's winning run to six matches in league play. Eliot Goldthorp scored twice for the hosts before Malek Mehri added a late goal as insurance. The Canadian club have outscored their opponents 18-5 over that stretch, showing dominant spells on both ends of the field.
Last Match: 3-1 win vs. St. Louis CITY2.
Next Match: at Timbers2 on Saturday, July 6.
4.) FC Cincinnati 2
For the second time in 2024, FC Cincinnati 2 has registered a four-match winning streak.
Tyrone Marshall's FCC2 squad continues to impress after defeating New England Revolution II 1-0 on Sunday. Kenji Mboma Dem scored the lone goal at Northern Kentucky University as FCC2 remained dominant on home soil this year.
Their 16 points earned at home are the second-most in the East this season.
Last Match: 1-0 win vs. New England Revolution II.
Next Match: vs. NYCFC II on Sunday, July 7.
3.) St. Louis CITY2
St. Louis CITY2's winning run was ended at five matches on Sunday night.
A 3-1 road loss to Whitecaps FC 2 marked the first defeat for Bobby Murphy's men since May 22 and only their third in regulation all season. Mykhi Joyner's second-half goal served as the lone bright spot for CITY2, who returns home for a Matchweek 17 showdown with LAFC2.
Last Match: 3-1 loss at Whitecaps FC 2.
Next Match: vs. LAFC2 on Saturday, July 6.
2.) North Texas SC
North Texas SC are showing zero signs of slowing down this summer.
A 2-1 road win over Real Monarchs on Sunday extended NTX's regulation unbeaten streak to six matches. The result also moves them level with St. Louis CITY2 on 33 points in the Western Conference. Enes Sali and Isaiah Parker scored 15 minutes apart in the second half to help NTX rebound from a first-half deficit.
Last Match: 2-1 win at Real Monarchs.
Next Match: vs. MNUFC2 on Wednesday, July 3.
1.) Philadelphia Union II
A frustrating start to Matchweek 16 for Philadelphia Union II ended with a comfortable bounce-back win.
Union II fell 4-1 to rivals New York Red Bulls II before rebounding with a 4-0 victory over TFC II. Eddy Davis scored three goals over those two matches, including a brace in Sunday's dominant victory in Canada. Kyle Tucker and Francis Westfield also celebrated goals of their own, continuing the impressive depth that Union II have shown this season.
Last Match: 4-0 win at TFC II
Next Match: at New England Revolution II on Saturday, July 6.
