The penultimate weekend of July featured several of the league's top teams suffering crucial defeats.
Philadelphia Union 2, St. Louis CITY2, North Texas SC, and FC Cincinnati 2 all lost in regulation this past weekend, while Columbus Crew 2, Sporting KC II and Houston Dynamo 2 enjoyed statement victories.
Chicago Fire II and NYCFC II also savored three points in their quests to reach the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs.
Here is a closer look at MLS NEXT Pro's Top 10 Power Rankings following Matchweek 19:
10.) Columbus Crew 2
A statement win for Columbus Crew 2 helped them jump back into the MLS NEXT Pro Power Rankings.
A second-half surge led Crew 2 to a 6-1 home beatdown of FC Cincinnati 2 in a crucial Eastern Conference showdown. 16-year-old Chase Adams scored twice, while three addition Crew 2 players also found the back of the net.
Riding a seven-match regulation unbeaten streak, Crew 2 are hitting their stride at the perfect time.
Last Match: 6-1 win vs. FC Cincinnati 2.
Next Match: vs. Philadelphia Union II on Sunday, July 28.
9.) Tacoma Defiance
Tacoma Defiance's point streak was extended to five matches despite Saturday's 5-3 shootout loss to LAFC2.
A 4-4 regulation result was filled with plenty of excitement before LAFC2 claimed the extra point at Starfire Sports Complex. Four different players scored goals for Herve Diese's men, including Dylan Teves and Raul Miglietti.
Luckily for the Defiance, their next two matches should be winnable ones against MNUFC2 and Real Monarchs, but first they have a bye week.
Last Match: 4-4, SOL vs. LAFC2.
Next Match: vs. MNUFC2 on Sunday, August 4.
8.) Whitecaps FC 2
Whitecaps FC 2 enjoyed a bye week but now prepares for two important road matches in the coming weeks.
Back-to-back trips to Real Monarchs and Sporting KC II should be winnable matches for the Canadian club, who has been one of the surprise stories in MLS NEXT Pro this year. Their 3-2-4 road record is the fourth-best in the Western Conference.
Last Match: Bye Week.
Next Match: at Real Monarchs on Sunday, July 28.
7.) NYCFC II
NYCFC II's regulation unbeaten streak was in jeopardy of ending on Friday until a pair of late goals saved Matt Pilkington's squad at Belson Stadium.
Taylor Calheira and Jonathan Shore scored four minutes apart to help NYCFC II defeat East-leading Philadelphia Union II by a 2-1 scoreline. 21-year-old Piero Elias also registered one assist, continuing a positive MLS NEXT Pro season.
Now unbeaten in their last nine matches, NYCFC II will visit Carolina Core on Matchweek 20.
Last Match: 2-1 win vs. Philadelphia Union II.
Next Match: at Carolina Core on Saturday, July 27.
6.) Ventura County FC
Ventura County FC extended their point streak to four matches despite suffering their first shootout loss of 2024.
A 3-2 defeat to Timbers2 saw VCFC move to 7-1 in shootouts this campaign, ending their unbeaten record from the penalty spot. Failure to earn regulation wins have cost VCFC most of the summer and that theme will need to change if they want to get themselves over the hump come October.
Last Match: 0-0, SOL at Timbers2.
Next Match: vs. The Town FC on Sunday, July 28.
5.) North Texas SC
Back-to-back shutout losses is a worying sign for North Texas SC.
A 2-0 loss to Colorado Rapids 2 was followed up by a 4-0 thumping at the hands of in-state rivals Houston Dynamo 2. Michel Garbini's men have been held scoreless for the last 203 minutes of action and overall have only failed to score in a match three times this season.
Hosting St. Louis CITY2 won't be easy on Saturday, but it marks a great opportunity to rebound.
Last Match: 4-0 loss to Houston Dynamo 2.
Next Match: vs. St. Louis CITY2 on Saturday, July 27.
4.) Chicago Fire II
Chicago Fire II were pushed to the brink on Sunday night before eventually hanging on for three points at home.
A 3-2 triumph over New England Revolution II saw Lamonth Rochester, Jason Shokalook, and David Poreba all contribute goals The result helped Fire II rebound from a Matchweek 18 loss vs. NYCFC II and get them back on track in the Eastern Conference.
Last Match: 3-2 win vs. New England Revolution II.
Next Match: at FC Cincinnati 2 on Sunday, July 28.
3.) FC Cincinnati 2
Tyrone Marshall and FC Cincinnati 2 will want to throw out the game tape from Matchweek 19.
A 6-1 hammering at the hands of rivals Columbus Crew 2 saw FCC2's six-match regulation unbeaten streak come to a disappointing end. Conceding five second-half goals ultimately is what did FCC2 in at Historic Crew Stadium, but there's zero time for moaping as two important matches against Chicago Fire II and Philadelphia Union II come next.
Last Match: 6-1 loss at Columbus Crew 2.
Next Match: vs. Chicago Fire II on Sunday, July 28.
2.) St. Louis CITY2
A second loss in three weeks won't sit well with St. Louis CITY2 or head coach Bobby Murphy.
Losing 3-1 to rivals Sporting KC II hurt CITY2's chances of moving to the top spot in the MLS NEXT Pro standings. With nine goals conceded in their last three matches (one win, two losses), Murphy will hope that his defenders pick it up ahead of Saturday's top-two clash with North Texas SC.
Last Match: 3-1 loss at Sporting KC II.
Next Match: at North Texas SC on Saturday, July 27.
1.) Philadelphia Union II
A road setback against NYCFC II won't move Philadelphia Union II out of the top spot in the MLS NEXT Pro Power Rankings.
Marlon LeBlanc's squad scored first but eventually conceded two late goals for a 2-1 loss at Belson Stadium. Eddy Davis reached double digits with his 10th goal of the campaign, but a late defensive breakdown ultimately cost Union II the chance to eclipse the 40-point mark on Friday night.
Last Match: 2-1 loss at NYCFC II.
Next Match: at Columbus Crew 2 on Sunday, July 28.
