The 2024 MLS NEXT Pro regular season has continued to move forward with constant changing in both of the Eastern and Western Conference standings.
New York Red Bulls II now leads the league with 13 points earned while while Philadelphia Union II and Ventura County FC are closely behind on 12 points apiece. LAFC2 and Inter Miami II both round out the five clubs that have registered double-digit points so far.
Chattanooga FC has been a nice surprise this spring after making the move to MLS NEXT Pro this past offseason.
North Texas SC remained the only team in the Western Conference to stay unbeaten in regulation.
Here is a closer look at MLS NEXT Pro's Top 10 Power Rankings following Matchweek 5:
10.) North Texas SC
A first regulation win of 2024 for North Texas SC helped them crack the Top 10 for the first time this season.
John Gall's squad delivered a statement result in a 2-1 home triumph over Tacoma Defiance. Tarik Scott and Enes Sali both scored in the first half while goalkeeper Michael Collodi registered four saves in the victory.
NTX remains the only team in the Western Conference that has not lost in regulation.
Last Match: 2-1 win vs. Tacoma Defiance
Next Match: at Colorado Rapids 2 on Sunday, April 21
9.) Chicago Fire II
Although Chicago Fire II only walked away with one point from Sunday's thrilling shootout loss to New York Red Bulls II, they remain unbeaten in regulation this season.
Fire II fought back to earn one point in a 4-3 shootout loss after playing out a 5-5 result over 90 minutes. Harold Osorio scored a hat trick for Fire II while loanee David Poreba added a brace of his own.
Sitting fifth in the East, Fire II will aim to remain unbeaten on Matchweek 6 against Carolina Core FC.
Last Match: 5-5, SOL at New York Red Bulls II
Next Match: vs. Carolina Core FC on Monday, April 22
8.) Inter Miami II
A first loss of the season dropped Inter Miami II in this week's Power Rankings.
Federico Higuain's squad fell 6-2 at Chattanooga FC, falling behind early and never recovering in a forgettable performance. Alejandro Flores and Ryan Carmichael both scored goals in the defeat, providing a slight bright spot to watch in the coming weeks.
Inter Miami II also has a bye week this weekend, which could help the squad refuel before a trip to Foxborough on April 28.
Last Match: 6-2 loss at Chattanooga FC
Next Match: at New England Revolution II on Sunday, April 28
7.) Tacoma Defiance
Tacoma Defiance dropped in this week's Power Rankings after taking a step back in the win column.
Herve Diese's squad suffered a second league loss of 2024, falling 2-1 on the road at North Texas SC. Despite a late consolation goal from Paul Rothrock, the Defiance have conceded seven goals in their two losses this spring.
A crucial two-match homestand begins on Sunday against Whitecaps FC 2.
Last Match: 2-1 loss at North Texas SC
Next Match: vs. Whitecaps FC 2 on Sunday, April 21
6.) Sporting KC II
Back-to-back regulation wins have Sporting KC II in fine form this month.
Benny Feilhaber watched as his SKC II squad rolled 4-0 past Houston Dynamo 2 in Matchweek 5 action. Four different players celebrated goals including Kamron Habibullah and Sebastian Cruz. SKC II's 13 goals scored through five matches are tied with VCFC for the most in the Western Conference so far. They next travel to VCFC in one of Matchweek 6's headlining contests.
Last Match: 4-0 win vs. Houston Dynamo 2
Next Match: at Ventura County FC on Saturday, April 20
5.) Chattanooga FC
Matchweek 5 featured a memorable day for Chattanooga FC.
The MLS NEXT Pro newboys rolled past Inter Miami II 6-2, using a hat trick from Jalen James and a brace from Alex McGrath to do so. Ethan Koren also found the back of the net in a lopsided victory, keeping Chattanooga FC unbeaten in regulation. A +7 goal differential is a great sign for CFC, especially heading into back-to-back road matches over the next week.
Last Match: 6-2 win vs. Inter Miami II
Next Match: at Huntsville City FC on Saturday, April 20
4.) Philadelphia Union II
An impressive start to the season continued for Philadelphia Union II on Monday night.
Marlon LeBlanc's squad rolled past ATL UTD 2 by a 5-0 scoreline, using strong performances from Chris Donovan, Eddie Davis, C.J. Olney, and Kyle Tucker. Union II are also unbeaten in regulation through five matches and have a +7 goal differential, which is tied for the best in the Eastern Conference.
A Matchweek 6 showdown with East-leading New York Red Bulls II approaches this coming weekend.
Last Match: 5-0 win at ATL UTD 2
Next Match: vs. New York Red Bulls II on Sunday, April 21
3.) New York Red Bulls II
New York Red Bulls II used a four-goal performance from Roald Mitchell paired with an own goal from Diego Konincks to help defeat Fire II 4-3 in a shootout. The teams played out a 5-5 affair from MSU Soccer Park, but Red Bulls II walked away with two points on the night. Red Bulls II are also top of the Eastern Conference as one of the four teams in the conference to have not yet suffered a regulation defeat.
Last Match: 5-5, SOW vs. Chicago Fire II
Next Match: at Philadelphia Union II on Sunday, April 21
2.) Ventura County FC
Ventura County FC suffered its first league defeat of 2024, which led them to drop from top spot in the latest MLS NEXT Pro Power Rankings. A 2-1 road loss to LAFC2 marked the second loss in three weeks for VCFC across multiple competitions, but they remain top of the Western Conference on 12 points. Aaron Bibout registered his second goal of the season in the defeat.
Last Match: 2-1 loss at LAFC2
Next Match: vs. Sporting KC II on Saturday, April 20
1.) LAFC2
LAFC2 rebounded in a big way on Matchweek 5.
Junior Gonzalez's squad defeated in-state rivals Ventura County FC by a 2-1 scoreline, using goals from Nathan Ordaz and Luis Muller to eclipse double-digit points this spring. It was a bounce-back performance for LAFC2 after suffering their first loss of the campaign to Tacoma Defiance the week prior.
A bye week of rest and recovery comes for LAFC2 before a winnable home match vs. Timbers2.
Last Match: 2-1 win vs. Ventura County FC
Next Match: vs. Timbers2 on Sunday, April 28
