The race for MLS NEXT Pro Playoff Places got that much tighter following Matchweek 27's action.
North Texas SC used a second-half comeback to claim three points, while St. Louis CITY2 saw three points slip away at home.
FC Cincinnati 2, LAFC2, and Chicago Fire II all earned important results in their race for playoff places and seeding. Ventura County FC's back-to-back losses have them in a worrying position out West.
Here is a closer look at MLS NEXT Pro's Top 10 Power Rankings following Matchweek 27:
10.) Ventura County FC
Back-to-back losses have Ventura County FC on the verge of dropping out of the MLS NEXT Pro Power Rankings.
Tuesday's 2-1 road loss to Timbers2 saw VCFC fail to further improve their playoff seeding ahead of the postseason. Ruben Ramos Jr continued his impressive season with a first-half goal but Timbers2 battled back by scoring two late second-half goals.
VCFC could finish as high as third in the Western Conference, but needs to win their final two matches and have things go their way elsewhere.
Last Match: 2-1 loss at Timbers2.
Next Match: vs. St. Louis CITY2 on Sunday, September 29.
9.) Chicago Fire II
Close to three months since their last regulation win, Chicago Fire II enjoyed that feeling once again.
Fire II earned a 2-1 result over New York Red Bulls II on Friday, using early goals from Christian Koffi and Javier Casas to earn three points. The result came at a crucial time as Fire II heads into their final three matches of the season.
All three of their final matches are against teams higher than them in the standings though, which could be a worry.
Last Match: 2-1 win vs. New York Red Bulls II.
Next Match: at Orlando City B on Monday, September 23.
8.) Tacoma Defiance
Tacoma Defiance have continued to navigate their way to a playoff spot this fall.
A 5-4 shootout loss to Real Monarchs saw the Defiance concede a late equalizer before falling in a shootout. However, they haven't lost a regulation match in their past five, which shows they are a tough out over 90 minutes.
Chris Aquino leads the team with 10 goals, but he will need some help down the stretch.
Last Match: 1-1, SOL vs. Real Monarchs.
Next Match: at Whitecaps FC 2 on Saturday, September 21.
7.) LAFC2
A dramatic road comeback victory helped LAFC2 make it back-to-back wins.
Despite being down 2-0 at halftime to Timbers2, LAFC2 used second-halfmgoals from Adrian Wibowo, Luis Muller, and Javier Hernandez. LAFC2 are sitting in the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference and will be favored in their final three matches against Real Monarchs, The Town FC, and Sporting KC II.
Last Match: 3-2 win at Timbers2.
Next Match: vs. Real Monarchs on Monday, September 23.
6.) NYCFC II
Matchweek 27 wasn't a memorable one for NYCFC II.
A 4-3 midweek shootout loss to TFC II was followed up by Sunday's 3-0 road loss to the Canadian club. NYCFC II have only won one regulation match out of their past nine overall, which has them in danger of missing the playoffs.
Crucial back-to-back matches against Philadelphia Union II and FC Cincinnati 2 could make or break them.
Last Match: 3-0 loss at TFC II.
Next Match: at Philadelphia Union II on Monday, September 23.
5.) Columbus Crew 2
Three months since their last regulation defeat, Columbus Crew 2 endured a tough result at rivals FC Cincinnati 2.
Chase Adams cut the deficit at Northern Kentucky University but Crew 2 eventually fell 2-1 against their in-state rivals. It isn't worry time yet for Crew 2, but after failing to pick up a regulation win in their last three matches, they will hope to turn things around in the final three matches.
Last Match: 2-1 loss at FC Cincinnati 2.
Next Match: vs. Carolina Core FC on Sunday, September 22.
4.) Philadelphia Union II
It was an up-and-down week for Philadelphia Union II.
Marlon LeBlanc's squad claimed three points on the road at Carolina Core FC before falling 3-2 on Sunday to Inter Miami II. Still, Union II remain in the fight for the East's No. 1 seed, with their schedule sitting in their favor.
Four different players found the back of the net over the past week, with Eddy Davis leading the way.
Last Match: 3-2 loss at Inter Miami II.
Next Match: vs. NYCFC II on Monday, September 23.
3.) FC Cincinnati 2
A home derby win helped FC Cincinnati 2 earn their first regulation victory since August 2.
Tyrone Marshall's squad edged rivals Columbus Crew 2 by a 2-1 scoreline on Sunday. Kenji Mboma Dem and Amir Daley both found the back of the net as FCC2 picked up an important three points.
With three regular season matches left to play, FCC2 has the No. 1 seed in sight in the Eastern Conference.
Last Match: 2-1 win vs. Columbus Crew 2.
Next Match: at Huntsville City FC on Sunday, September 22.
2.) North Texas SC
North Texas SC's latest comeback win helped them stay top of the Western Conference through Matchweek 27.
Nolan Norris, Anthony Ramirez, and Diego Garcia all scored in the second half as NTX defeated Ventura County FC 3-1 away from home. With only one regulation defeat in their last eight matches, things are looking good for NTX.
Last Match: 3-1 win at Ventura County FC.
Next Match: vs. Austin FC II on Sunday, September 22.
1.) St. Louis CITY2
Matchweek 27 saw two points dropped by St. Louis CITY2.
A late 2-1 lead slipped away for CITY2 before MNUFC2 edged them 4-2 in a shootout. Mykhi Joyner and Brendan McSorley both found the back of the net, but CITY2 failed to claim all three points at home.
Bobby Murphy's squad travel to The Town FC and Ventura County FC in back-to-back weeks before closing the season at home vs. Tacoma Defiance.
Last Match: 2-2, SOL vs. MNUFC2.
Next Match: at The Town FC on Sunday, September 22.
