The penultimate MLS NEXT Pro Power Rankings of August has arrived with several familiar faces headlining the list.
Crown Legacy FC remained top of the weekly honors, while Colorado Rapids 2 jumped back into the No. 2 spot. Austin FC II and New England Revolution II rounded out the top-four following Matchday 23 results this past weekend.
Earthquakes II and St. Louis CITY2 both jumped into the Top 10 after positive weekend results while Houston Dynamo 2 and Orlando City B both dropped out of the rankings because of it.
Here is a closer look at MLS NEXT Pro's Top 10 Power Rankings:
St. Louis CITY2 are finding their groove at the right time of the 2023 regular season. Bobby Murphy’s squad rolled past Timbers2 by a 4-1 scoreline on Matchday 23, extending their regulation unbeaten streak to five matches. Johnny Klein improved his goalscoring haul to 12 on the season, continuing his impressive second half of the season. CITY2 remains on the outside of the West playoff race and have some crucial matchups which could determine whether or not they return to the postseason.
Last Match: 4-1 win vs. Timbers2
Next Match: vs. Earthquakes II on Sunday, August 27
Earthquakes II rebounded in a big way on Matchday 23, boosting them into the Top 10 of the latest Power Rankings. A comeback 4-3 victory over Houston Dynamo 2 helped leapfrog Quakes II into fifth place in the conference standings. Casey Walls and Eduardo Blancas both found the back of the net to help seal the impressive result on home soil. Each of the next four matches for Quakes II will be against teams either higher than them or right below them in the table.
Last Match: 4-3 win vs. Houston Dynamo 2
Next Match: at St. Louis CITY2 on Sunday, August 27
For the second time this summer, Sporting KC have registered a multi-match regulation winning streak, helping keep them in the MLS NEXT Pro Power Rankings. A 1-0 shutout victory over MNUFC2 moved SKC II into fourth place in the West table and also moved them seven points clear of the red line. Alenis Vargas found the back of the net for the second-consecutive match, continuing a positive run of form for the 19-year-old.
Last Match: 1-0 win vs. MNUFC2
Next Match: at Austin FC II on Friday, August 25
Tacoma Defiance also remained in this week’s MLS NEXT Pro Power Rankings after earning two points in a 6-5 shootout victory over North Texas SC. Abdoulaye Cissoko and Snyder Brunell both scored to help the Defiance peg back NTX on two separate occasions in the second half. Despite winning twice in regulation over their past seven matches, the Defiance will be favored to pick up a few more victories in their final five fixtures. Braudilio Rodrigues leads the team with 10 goals and has been a consistent thorn in several backlines’ sides in 2023.
Last Match: 2-2, SOW at North Texas SC
Next Match: at MNUFC2 on Friday, August 25
Columbus Crew 2 showed a short memory in Matchday 23 action, rolling past in-state rivals FC Cincinnati 2 by a 5-1 scoreline. Five different Crew 2 players found the back of the net, including Noah Fuson and Marco Micaletto. It was the perfect response for Crew 2, who were blanked 5-0 by New York Red Bulls II the week prior. Inconsistency has hurt Crew 2 at times in 2023, but overall they still remain a force to be reckoned with in MLS NEXT Pro.
Last Match: 5-1 win vs. FC Cincinnati 2
Next Match: at Orlando City B on Sunday, August 27
New York Red Bulls II have continued to climb the Eastern Conference table in recent weeks, setting themselves up for a positive end of the season. A 4-2 home victory over ATL UTD 2 was Red Bulls II’s second in a row and 12th of the campaign overall. 19-year-old Ibrahim Kasule scored twice while Frank Ssebufu and Wikelman Carmona also added goals of their own. Red Bulls II have four matches remaining this season and could still fight for the No. 1 seed if they win out.
Last Match: 4-2 win vs. ATL UTD 2
Next Match: vs. Chicago Fire II on Sunday, August 27
It wasn’t the best performance from New England Revolution II on Matchday 23, but they were still able to escape Canada with two points. A goal-less affair with TFC II concluded with Revs II earning a 4-1 shootout win at York Lions Stadium. Revs II are now unbeaten in regulation over their last nine matches, making them one of the consistent teams during the second half of the season. They can still catch Crown Legacy FC atop the East table and will rely on Jordan Adebayo-Smith’s goalscoring to have a chance.
Last Match: 0-0, SOW at TFC II
Next Match: at Philadelphia Union II on Sunday, August 27
Austin FC II extended their point streak to seven matches in league play, but ultimately dropped two points in Sunday’s shootout loss to Whitecaps FC 2. Valentin Noel’s fifth goal of 2023 was canceled out by a late equalizer before Austin FC II fell 4-3 in a shootout. Although they have been a tough team to defeat in regulation this summer, Brett Uttley will be worried in his team’s abilities to finish off matches consistently.
Last Match: 1-1, SOL at Whitecaps FC 2
Next Match: vs. Sporting KC II on Friday, August 25
Colorado Rapids 2 extended their winning streak to two matches after blanking LAFC2 by a 4-0 scoreline on Matchday 23. Erik Bushey’s men used a trio of first-half goals before Yosuke Hanya added a fourth tally in the second half. Remi Cabral registered a brace for Rapids 2, continuing his stellar season in MLS NEXT Pro. With Rapids 2 sitting eight points clear atop the Western Conference, it’s going to be hard for anyone to catch them for the No. 1 seed.
Last Match: 4-0 win vs. LAFC II
Next Match: at Timbers2 on Sunday, August 27
Another week, another Crown Legacy FC victory. Jose Tavares’ men have continued to roll this summer after defeating Inter Miami II by a 2-1 scoreline on Saturday. Iuri Tavares and Chris Hegardt both delivered goals at DRV PNK Stadium as Crown Legacy FC earned their 16th victory of 2023. Crown Legacy FC may have already clinched their playoff berth, but still have 15 points remaining on the table before the postseason begins.
Last Match: 2-1 win at Inter Miami II
Next Match: vs. TFC II on Friday, August 25
