The 2024 MLS NEXT Pro regular season pushed forward this weekend with several key results on both ends of each conference.
North Texas SC continued their run atop the Western Conference while St. Louis CITY2 earned a crucial road result over MNUFC2. Both teams continue to lead the charge for the No. 1 spot in the West.
Philadelphia Union II suffered a setback at TFC II while Columbus Crew 2 continued their positive run this summer. FC Cincinnati 2 fell at home to Carolina Core, seeing their lead slip to two points atop the East table.
Here is a closer look at MLS NEXT Pro's Top 10 Power Rankings following Matchweek 23:
10.) Tacoma Defiance
Tacoma Defiance's first shootout win since April 21 helped them get back on track Sunday night.
A 4-3 result over Ventura County FC saw Jacob Castro make two key shootout stops while Dylan Teves registered a first-half brace in the match. The Defiance have only lost one match at Starfire Sports Complex all season, which has been a key reason why they are above the playoff line right now.
Last Match: 2-2, SOW vs. Ventura County FC.
Next Match: at The Town FC on Sunday, August 25.
9.) Chicago Fire II
After enjoying a bye week during Matchweek 23's schedule, Chicago Fire II will need a big performance against NYCFC II this weekend.
Both teams remain well in the thick of the playoff race in the Eastern Conference, sitting one point apart in the standings. Fire II have possessed one of the league's top attacking weapons in David Poreba, but losing their last three matches is a worrying sign.
Last Match: Bye Week.
Next Match: at NYCFC II on Friday, August 23.
8.) Ventura County FC
It wasn't three points, but at least it was one point.
Ventura County FC fell 4-3 in a shootout to Tacoma Defiance on Sunday, despite using a second-half comeback to force spot kicks altogether. Ifunanyachi Achara and Ilijah Paul scored 13 minutes apart to help force the shootout, but VCFC had two spot kicks denied by Jacob Castro. It marked VCFC's second-straight shootout match in which they've failed to take two points.
Last Match: 2-2, SOL at Tacoma Defiance.
Next Match: vs. Real Monarchs on Sunday, August 25.
7.) NYCFC II
Two losses in their past three matches hasn't boded well for NYCFC.
Sunday's 3-2 loss to Orlando City B saw NYCFC II suffer their first road defeat since March 17 and second overall in recent weeks. In addition to last week's shootout loss to New York Red Bulls II, Matt Pilkington's squad have only taken one point from their last nine available.
Back-to-back home matches vs. Chicago Fire II and OCB could prove crucial in NYCFC II's playoff hopes.
Last Match: 3-2 loss at Orlando City B.
Next Match: vs. Chicago Fire II on Friday, August 23.
6.) LAFC2
LAFC2's unbeaten run was extended to three matches on Friday night.
A 5-3 shootout win over Timbers2 featured goals from Luis Muller and Diego Rosales and an important shootout save from goalkeeper David Ochoa. LAFC2 will next visit fifth-place Whitecaps FC 2 in Matchweek 24 play before returning home for a pair of important home matches.
Last Match: 2-2, SOW vs. Timbers2.
Next Match: at Whitecaps FC 2 on Sunday, August 25.
5.) Philadelphia Union II
It's been an up-and-down run for Philadelphia Union II of late.
Marlon LeBlanc's squad suffered their fourth loss out of their past five matches after falling 4-2 to TFC II on Sunday night in Canada. Kellan LeBlanc's first two MLS NEXT Pro goals will be a positive to take from the match, but overall the lack of consistency in the squad is worrying heading into the final stretch of regular season matches.
Last Match: 4-2 loss at TFC II.
Next Match: vs. Columbus Crew 2 on Monday, August 26.
4.) Columbus Crew 2
The good times keep on rolling for Columbus Crew 2.
Sunday's 2-1 home win over New England Revolution II extended Crew 2's regulation unbeaten streak to 10 matches. The result also gave them four-straight victories which has moved them to only four points back of top spot in the Eastern Conference. Cole Mrowka's first-half goal paired with a Patrick Leal own goal continued what has been a resugent summer for the 2022 league champions.
Last Match: 2-1 win vs. New England Revolution II.
Next Match: at Philadelphia Union II on Monday, August 26.
3.) FC Cincinnati 2
A late 1-0 loss to Carolina Core FC dropped FC Cincinnati 2 in this week's Power Rankings.
Just when it looked like Tyrone Marshall's squad would at least have a shootout opportunity, Jacob Evans' stoppage time header sealed three points for the visitors. With only one goal scored in their last three matches combined, FCC2 needs to try and get it going in front of goal.
Last Match: 1-0 loss vs. Carolina Core FC.
Next Match: vs. TFC II on Sunday, September 1.
2.) St. Louis CITY2
A second-half surge propelled St. Louis CITY2 to their first victory since July 6.
Ryan Becher, Mykhi Joyner, and Caden Glover all scored after halftime to lead Bobby Murphy's squad to a crucial three points at MNUFC2. Things haven't gone particularly well for CITY2 in recent weeks, but earning a road shutout win could be the spark that gets them going.
Last Match: 3-0 win at MNUFC2.
Next Match: vs. North Texas SC on Sunday, August 25.
1.) North Texas SC
There's nothing like a lopsided rivalry victory to keep your unbeaten run going.
North Texas SC rolled to three points on Saturday thanks to a 4-1 home triumph over Houston Dynamo 2. Tarik Scott opened the scoring before Pedrinho added a brace and Tomas Pondeca added a fourth and final goal of the night.
NTX remains as the lone MLS NEXT Pro side that hasn't lost a home regulation match, earning 28 points to date at Choctaw Stadium. It's a major reason why they are top of the league and Western Conference at this stage of the season.
Last Match: 4-1 win vs. Houston Dynamo 2.
Next Match: at St. Louis CITY2 on Sunday, August 25.
