The majority of the MLS NEXT Pro Top 10 Power Rankings remained the same following Matchday 6 action, but a familiar squad made the cut for the first time in three weeks.
Matchday 6 featured continued success for Colorado Rapids 2, Crown Legacy FC, and Austin FC II who all remained among the MLS NEXT Pro elite through the final days of April. Earthquakes II made their return to the Top 10 after a shutout victory on Sunday night.
As always, the MLSNEXTPro.com staff collaborated to produce a fresh set of Top 10 Power Rankings following Matchday 6 action.
Here is a closer look at MLS NEXT Pro's Top 10 Power Rankings:
Earthquakes II claimed their first win since April 2 on Sunday after shutting out LAFC2 1-0 away from home. After suffering back-to-back defeats to Real Monarchs and Colorado Rapids 2, Quakes II used a late winning goal from Eduardo Blancas to end their goalless drought at 240 minutes. Emi Ochoa registered a four-save clean sheet for Daniel De Geer’s squad, moving Quakes II back into the top-six of the West standings.
Last Match: 1-0 win at LAFC2
Next Match: vs. Sporting KC II on Friday, May 5
New England Revolution II rebounded from back-to-back defeats by edging FC Cincinnati 2 in a thriller from Gillette Stadium. Both Revs II and FCC2 totaled 10 goals in the 5-5 match before Revs II edged their Ohio-based visitors 5-4 in a shootout. Damian Rivera and Marcos Dias both registered braces while Jordan Adebayo-Smith continued his positive season by contributing his third goal of 2023. Matches against NYCFC, TFC II, and Philadelphia Union II provide good tests before a second meeting with Columbus Crew 2 comes on the horizon in late-May.
Last Match: 5-5 tie, SOW vs. FC Cincinnati 2
Next Match: at NYCFC II on Saturday, May 6
The defending MLS NEXT Pro Champions used a late comeback to avoid a second-consecutive defeat in 2023 and move up to No. 8 in this week’s Power Rankings. Columbus Crew 2 used three goals in the final 18 minutes at Historic Crew Stadium to defeat visiting Inter Miami II by a 3-2 scoreline. Matteo Bunbury’s first goal for Crew 2 proved to be the winner as Laurent Courtois’ men erased a 2-0 deficit. Crew 2 sits in the top three in the Eastern Conference heading into Matchday 7.
Last Match: 3-2 win vs. Inter Miami II
Next Match: vs. Huntsville City FC on Friday, May 5
MNUFC2 went toe-to-toe with Western Conference leaders Austin FC II on Friday and although Cameron Knowles’ squad didn’t return home with three points, a shootout result helped snap a two-match losing streak. Diogo Pacheco’s fifth goal of the season boosted MNUFC2 in front at Parmer Field, but Emmanuel Johnson’s equalizer helped Austin FC II force a shootout. Next up for MNUFC2 is a non-conference matchup with Chicago Fire II on Matchday 7.
Last Match: 1-1, SOL loss at Austin FC II
Next Match: vs. Chicago Fire II on Sunday, May 7
Tacoma Defiance hit a few bumps along the road in April, but ended the month with back-to-back victories for the first time this season. A 3-1 home win over LA Galaxy II on Sunday helped keep Defiance in the Top 10 with Hal Uderitz and Paul Rothrock both scoring at Starfire Sports Complex. Wade Webber’s squad have also been tough to break down in 2023, conceding just five goals through five matches so far.
Last Match: 3-1 win vs. LA Galaxy II
Next Match: at Real Monarchs on Friday, May 5
Whitecaps FC II suffered their second defeat of the 2023 season, but didn’t drop too far in the Power Rankings because of it. Antoine Copeland’s ninth-minute opener boosted Ricardo Clark’s squad in front at St Louis CITY2, but the Canadian club conceded once in each half in an eventual 2-1 loss. Whitecaps FC II still remain the highest-scoring team in MLS NEXT Pro through six weeks and will be a tough opponent for Houston Dynamo II on Matchday 7.
Last Match: 2-1 loss at St Louis CITY2
Next Match: vs. Houston Dynamo II on Sunday, May 7
Orlando City B’s 3-2 victory over TFC II propelled the Eastern Conference club into No. 4 for the Matchday 6 Power Rankings. Martin Perelman’s squad pegged TFC II back twice before using a 91st minute winning goal from Moises Tablante to claim three points on home soil. After only earning two points from their last two matches, OCB rebounded to stay right behind East leaders Crown Legacy FC ahead of a Matchday 7 head-to-head showdown.
Last Match: 3-2 win vs. TFC II
Next Match: at Crown Legacy FC on Friday, May 5
After earning their first three-match winning streak in April, Austin FC II has continued to earn points any way they can. Brett Uttley’s squad claimed two points in a 6-5 shootout result over MNUFC2 on Sunday, remaining unbeaten in regulation and staying near the top of the Western Conference. Emmanuel Johnson became the eighth different player to register a goal for Austin FC II, continuing the scoring depth in the squad.
A trip to Timbers2 comes on Matchday 7 for Austin FC II before a top-table clash with Colorado Rapids 2 in mid-May.
Last Match: 1-1 tie, SOW vs. MNUFC2
Next Match: at Timbers2 on Sunday, May 7
Crown Legacy FC moved up to No. 2 in the Matchday 6 Power Rankings after a statement 4-1 road win at Belson Stadium. Iuri Tavares and Nuno Santos led the way on Sunday as Crown Legacy FC blitzed NYCFC II early and often to earn a fifth victory through six matches played. Jose Tavares’ squad rank first in MLS NEXT Pro with a +10 goal differential and are second in goals scored (15).
Last Match: 4-1 win at NYCFC II
Next Match: vs Orlando City B on Friday, May 5
Colorado Rapids 2 remained unbeaten in regulation following their third comeback victory of 2023, a 4-2 triumph over North Texas SC. Erik Bushey’s squad erased a brace from Hope Avayevu to score four unanswered goals as four different players got on the scoresheet. Yosuke Hanya’s fifth goal of the season paired with additional tallies from Blake Malone, Oliver Larraz, and Logan Batiste helped Rapids 2 move to 5-0-1 through six matches.
Last Match: 4-2 win vs. North Texas SC
Next Match: at LA Galaxy II on Sunday, May 7
