The 2024 MLS NEXT Pro regular season moved one step closer to its conclusion with a few statement victories by several of the top teams in the league.
St. Louis CITY2 rolled past North Texas SC in a top-two clash in the Western Conference while NYCFC II edged Chicago Fire II in a shootout.
Ventura County FC rebounded from a pair of winless results to defeat Real Monarchs. Inter Miami II continued their recent in-form run with a lopsided win over Chattanooga FC. Philadelphia Union II closed the weekend's action by claiming two points against Columbus Crew 2.
Here is a closer look at MLS NEXT Pro's Top 10 Power Rankings following Matchweek 24:
10.) Inter Miami II
Things are looking good right now for Inter Miami II.
Federico Higuain's squad extended their regulation unbeaten streak to eight matches on Sunday thanks to a 5-1 beatdown of Chattanooga FC. Alejandro Flores scored twice while Yuval Cohen, Santiago Morales, and Ryan Carmichael also added goals of their own.
Inter Miami II have outscored their opposition 22-7 over that span, moving up fifth place in the Eastern Conference.
Last Match: 5-1 win vs. Chattanooga FC.
Next Match: at Crown Legacy FC on Sunday, September 1.
9.) Chicago Fire II
Chicago Fire II didn't pick up three points on Sunday night, but they did at least stop the bleeding of their losing streak.
A second-half brace from David Poreba helped Fire II fight back at NYCFC II before falling 7-6 in a shootout. Poreba continues to run away with the MLS NEXT Pro Golden Boot after extending his goal tally to 17 on the season.
He will need to continue producing if Fire II wants to get into the postseason.
Last Match: 2-2, SOL at NYCFC II.
Next Match: at New England Revolution II on Saturday, August 31.
8.) Ventura County FC
Close to three months since their last regulation home win, Ventura County FC finally got to savor that feeling again.
A 3-1 triumph over Real Monarchs saw VCFC use goals from Ilijah Paul, Sean Karani, and Tucker Lepley to claim three points. It marked VCFC's first home win since May 31 and only their second overall victory this summer.
With five matches left to play, a strong run to end of the season could help VCFC fight for the No. 1 spot in the West.
Last Match: 3-1 win vs. Real Monarchs.
Next Match: at Houston Dynamo 2 on Sunday, September 8.
7.) NYCFC II
NYCFC II picked up a crucial two points in Matchweek 24 play to stay in the top six of the Eastern Conference.
Despite letting a two-goal lead slip away, Matt Pilkington's squad edged Chicago Fire II by a 7-6 shootout scoreline. Tomas Romero made two saves in the match for NYCFC II, who picked up their first shootout win since July 7.
Back-to-back matches against a surging Orlando City B squad and an in-form Columbus Crew 2 bunch will be tough tests for NYCFC II in the coming weeks.
Last Match: 2-2, SOW vs. Chicago Fire II.
Next Match: vs. Orlando City B on Wednesday, August 28.
6.) LAFC II
LAFC II's point streak was extended to four matches on Sunday night in Canada.
A 7-6 shootout result went in favor of Whitecaps FC 2, but LAFC II deserves major credit for pegging the Canadian club back twice in the match. Christopher Jaime and Luis Muller continued their productive campaigns by adding one goal apiece.
An upcoming two-match homestand should provide a good opportunity for LAFC II to move up the West standings.
Last Match: 2-2, SOL at Whitecaps FC 2.
Next Match: vs. Tacoma Defiance on Friday, August 30.
5.) Philadelphia Union II
Philadelphia Union II picked an important two points on Monday night in Chester.
Cavan Sullivan's screamer of a goal paired with his decisive shootout finish helped Marlon LeBlanc's squad defeat Columbus Crew 2 5-4 on spotkicks. The result helped Union II rebound from a disappointing loss at TFC II and edge one of the in-form clubs in MLS NEXT Pro.
Last Match: 1-1, SOW vs. Columbus Crew 2.
Next Match: at Carolina Core on Wednesday, September 11.
4.) FC Cincinnati 2
A bye week should help FC Cincinnati 2 refuel before their final six matches of the 2024 regular season.
Tyrone Marshall's squad will still be among the Eastern Conference favorites after registering 43 points to date. Their 7-1-3 road record is the best in the conference and could be what helps them finish as the East's No. 1 seed.
A winnable contest vs. TFC II is next on the cards for FCC2 in Matchweek 25.
Last Match: Bye Week.
Next Match: vs. TFC II on Sunday, September 1.
3.) Columbus Crew 2
Columbus Crew 2's winning streak ended at four matches on Monday, but their regulation unbeaten streak remained intact.
A 5-4 shootout loss to Philadelphia Union II saw Brent Adu-Gyamfi tie the match in the second half before Crew 2 fell just short in the fifth and final round. Gibran Rayo's fifth round effort was denied by Andrew Rick, keeping Crew 2 behind Union II by three points for second place in the East.
NYCFC II meets Crew 2 in Matchweek 25 action, which will be another tough test.
Last Match: 1-1, SOL at Philadelphia Union II.
Next Match: vs. NYCFC II on Sunday, September 1.
2.) North Texas SC
Sunday marked a forgettable performance for North Texas SC.
A 4-0 road loss at the hands of St. Louis CITY2 was the third shutout defeat for NTX in the last seven matches. The result moved CITY2 three points behind NTX for the West lead with five weeks left to play.
NTX will be expected to bounce-back in Matchweek 25 action on home soil vs. Colorado Rapids 2.
Last Match: 4-0 loss at St. Louis CITY2.
Next Match: vs. Colorado Rapids 2 on Sunday, September 1.
1.) St. Louis CITY2
A good way to stake your claim for the No. 1 spot in your conference is by beating the teams around you.
St. Louis CITY2 did just that on Sunday night.
Bobby Murphy's squad rolled past North Texas SC 4-0 using a pair of goals in each half. Caden Glover kickstarted the scoring before Mykhi Joyner added a brace and Brendan McSorley added a tally of his own.
The result marked CITY2's most goals scored since July 6 and extended their regulation unbeaten run to three matches.
Last Match: 4-0 win vs. North Texas SC.
Next Match: vs. Austin FC II on Monday, September 2.
