The first four weeks of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro regular season are in the books.
Ventura County FC and Inter Miami II lead the way atop the league rankings as the only two clubs so far with double-digit points earned. Both teams continued their strong starts to the season with respective victories last weekend.
Tacoma Defiance, New York Red Bulls II, and Philadelphia Union II are closely behind though in their respective conferences.
Here is a closer look at MLS NEXT Pro's Top 10 Power Rankings following Matchweek 4:
10.) Orlando City B
Orlando City B were off this weekend which dropped them to No. 10 in our Matchweek 4 Power Rankings.
With five points earned out of nine to start this season, OCB remain one of the better performers so far this spring. Colin Guske, Justin Ellis, and Yutaro Tsukada have been positive performers in the squad and will aim to lead the team to three points this week at Philadelphia Union II.
Last Match: 2-0 loss to Inter Miami II on April 2
Next Match: at Philadelphia Union II on Thursday, April 11.
9.) Sporting KC II
The statement result of the weekend was delivered by Sporting KC II.
Benny Feilhaber’s men fought back to defeat Colorado Rapids 2 by a 5-3 scoreline away from home. Kamron Habibullah registered a hat trick for his first goals for the club while fellow offseason signing Beto Avila added a brace of his own. After snapping a two-match losing streak, confidence will surely be high in the SKC II squad.
Last Match: 5-3 win at Colorado Rapids 2
Next Match: vs. Houston Dynamo 2 on Sunday, April 14.
8.) Columbus Crew 2
Make it back-to-back victories for Columbus Crew 2.
Crew 2 defeated TFC II 2-1 on Sunday, using first-half goals from Mohamed Saed and Nicolas Rincon to turn things around. Stanislav Lapkes made five saves to help preserve the home victory, giving Crew 2 a spot in the East’s top-four to begin the 2024 schedule.
Last Match: 2-1 win vs. TFC II
Next Match: vs. NYCFC II on Sunday, April 21
7.) Chattanooga FC
Chattanooga FC's positive start to life in MLS NEXT Pro kept them in the Power Rankings for another week.
The league newboys have earned six points out of nine available to begin the season and returns to action during the Matchweek 5 slate. Jesus Ibarra's two goals lead the squad, while Taylor Gray's two goals and one assist have made him a rising performer to watch.
Up next is a home match vs. in-form Inter Miami II.
Last Match: 4-2 SOL to NYCFC II on March 27
Next Match: vs. Inter Miami II on Saturday, April 13
6.) Philadelphia Union II
Philadelphia Union II was off this week, but remained in the Top 10 heading into Matchweek 5.
Marlon LeBlanc’s squad remain unbeaten in regulation this year, earning two victories at home and dropping a shootout result on the road in Chicago. Eddie Davis’ two goals lead the way while Sal Olivas and Francis Westfield have also impressed so far this spring.
Last Match: 4-3 SOL to Chicago Fire II on March 28
Next Match: vs. Orlando City B on Thursday, April 11
5.) New York Red Bulls II
New York Red Bulls II were off this weekend but will fight to stay unbeaten this week against a familiar foe.
A trip to NYCFC II approaches on Wednesday, which is the second head-to-head contest between the two clubs in respective competitions. After suffering a 4-2 U.S. Open Cup exit last week, Red Bulls II will try and claim three points against their East Coast rivals. Roald Mitchell’s three goals lead the team so far this spring.
Last Match: 3-2 win over FCC2 on March 28
Next Match: at NYCFC II on Wednesday, April 10
4.) Tacoma Defiance
Matchweek 4 featured a bounce-back result for Tacoma Defiance.
Herve Diese’s squad blanked LAFC2 by a 2-0 scoreline, using goals from Yu Tsukanome and Chris Aquino to get the job done. It marked the first clean sheet for the Defiance in 2024 and their third win in league play.
Tsukanome has been a bright spot early this season, scoring three goals in four appearances.
Last Match: 2-0 win vs. LAFC2
Next Match: at North Texas SC on Sunday, April 14
3.) LAFC2
LAFC2 remained in this week’s Top 10 despite falling on the road in Washington.
A 2-0 loss to the Defiance was the first in regulation for LAFC2 in the Junior Gonzalez-era as head coach. After back-to-back victories against MNUFC2 and Houston Dynamo 2, LAFC2 picked up two points in a shootout win over Colorado Rapids 2.
However, Sunday’s road loss is a setback for the Western Conference club, who now has to prepare to face in-state rivals Ventura County FC.
Last Match: 2-0 loss at Tacoma Defiance
Next Match: at Ventura County FC on Sunday, April 14
2.) Inter Miami II
Inter Miami II’s impressive start to 2024 continued with Federico Higuain’s squad earning their third league win of the season.
A 2-1 home victory over Huntsville City FC saw Ryan Carmichael and Bryan Destin both find the back of the net. Inter Miami II now has five different goalscorers in the squad so far this season, showing the depth that they possess in 2024.
A two-match roadtrip begins for the Young Herons with a visit to Chattanooga FC for the first time.
Last Match: 2-1 win vs. Huntsville City FC
Next Match: at Chattanooga FC on Saturday, April 13
1.) Ventura County FC
Another matchweek, another victory for league-leaders Ventura County FC.
VCFC made it four-straight league wins to start 2024 after Sunday’s 2-1 home triumph over Whitecaps FC 2. Gino Vivi helped spring the comeback for the hosts before a Max Anchor own goal made it 2-1 on the hour mark. Vivi has been a strong performer so far for VCFC, scoring four goals in league play.
Last Match: 2-1 win vs. Whitecaps FC 2
Next Match: at LAFC2 on Sunday, April 14
