The top three of the MLS NEXT Pro Matchday 8 Power Rankings remained the same once again, but a new face cracked the Top 10 for the first time this season.
Colorado Rapids 2, Crown Legacy FC, and Austin FC II all stayed in the top three of the weekly rankings while Sporting KC II moved into the Top 10 after earning their second two-match winning streak of the 2023 season. Columbus Crew 2 earned the largest jump from No. 8 to No. 4.
North Texas SC fell out of the Top 10 after a Matchday 8 shootout loss to Earthquakes II.
As always, the MLSNEXTPro.com staff collaborated to produce a fresh set of Top 10 Power Rankings following Matchday 8 action.
Here is a closer look at MLS NEXT Pro's Top 10 Power Rankings:
MNUFC2 dropped three spots to No. 10 in the Power Rankings, but overall Cameron Knowles’s squad have earned at least one point in each of their last three matches.
MNUFC2 have scored eight goals in their last three matches, recently going toe-to-toe with Tacoma Defiance before falling 4-2 in a shootout.
Last Match: 4-4, SOL at Tacoma Defiance
Next Match: vs. LA Galaxy II on Wednesday, May 24.
Sporting KC II entered the Top 10 after earning a second-consecutive win in recent weeks. Pau Vidal’s sixth goal of 2023 helped spring Benny Feilhaber’s squad past Galaxy II by a 2-1 scoreline. SKC II have four victories out of their past six matches, continuing a positive move up the Western Conference standings.
Last Match: 2-1 win vs. LA Galaxy II
Next Match: at St Louis CITY2 on Sunday, May 21
New England Revolution II ended their winless run on Sunday by using a heroic comeback to defeat TFC II by a 3-2 scoreline. Damian Rivera’s second-half brace helped Revs II tie and eventually win the match, moving three points back of second-place Crown Legacy FC. Rivera leads the team with five goals and two assists and has been crucial of late for Clint Peay’s attack.
Last Match: 3-2 win at TFC II
Next Match: at Philadelphia Union II on Sunday, May 21
Orlando City B might have lost their last two matches, but it hasn’t ruled them out yet of falling out of the Top 10. Crown Legacy FC and Columbus Crew 2 sit in front of OCB in the Eastern Conference standings, which is a key reason why OCB has remained in the Top 10. However, Martin Perelman’s squad will hope to turn it around this coming weekend against ATL UTD 2.
Last Match: 4-0 loss at Columbus Crew 2
Next Match: vs. ATL UTD 2 on Sunday, May 21
Whitecaps FC 2 have alternated results in their last six matches and Sunday’s loss to Timbers 2 will hopefully be a bit of a wake up sign for Ricardo Clark’s men. Whitecaps FC 2 fell 3-1 on the road and now prepares for a tough top-four clash with Tacoma Defiance on Matchday 9. Levonte Johnson has continued to be a strong attacking threat with four goals so far in 2023.
Last Match: 3-1 loss vs. Timbers2
Next Match: vs. Tacoma Defiance on Sunday, May 21
Wade Webber’s Tacoma Defiance continued their push up the Western Conference standings with two points earned Sunday against MNUFC2. A thrilling 4-4 result ended with the Defiance earning a 4-2 shootout win, extending their unbeaten run to four matches. Braudilio Rodriguez has now scored four goals in his last three appearances, giving the Defiance another in-form attacker to call on.
Last Match: 4-4, SOW vs. MNUFC2
Next Match: at Whitecaps FC 2 on Sunday, May 21
Three-consecutive wins have helped Columbus Crew jump to third in the Eastern Conference and No. 4 in the MLS NEXT Pro Power Rankings. A 4-0 romp over Orlando City B continued a positive run of form for Laurent Courtois’ squad, giving them eight goals scored over their winning run. Gibran Rayo and Mataeo Bunbury have brought new excitement around the Crew 2 attack in recent weeks.
Last Match: 4-0 win vs. Orlando City B
Next Match: at FC Cincinnati 2 on Sunday, May 21
Austin FC II remained No. 3 in the Power Rankings after a tough 1-0 loss to Western Conference-leading Colorado Rapids 2. The result was Austin FC II’s first regulation defeat of 2023 and the first time this season they have been held goalless. Brett Uttley’s squad are still one of the top teams in MLS NEXT Pro, delivering strong statistics on both ends of the field.
Last Match: 1-0 loss at Colorado Rapids 2
Next Match: vs. Earthquakes II on Friday, May 19
Crown Legacy FC has everything it takes to claim the No. 1 spot in the MLS NEXT Pro Power Rankings, but unfortunately for Jose Tavares’ squad, Colorado Rapids 2 have been just as good. A 2-1 road victory over ATL UTD 2 gave Crown Legacy FC their seventh-straight victory in league play, keeping the pressure on Rapids 2 for the top spot in the league. Crown Legacy FC have scored two goals or more in seven of their eight matches so far, showing off the continued depth and relentless ability to find the back of the net.
Last Match: 2-1 win at ATL UTD 2
Next Match: at Huntsville City FC on Sunday, May 19
One of the two unbeaten sides left in MLS NEXT Pro remained No. 1 in the Power Rankings as Colorado Rapids 2 earned a seventh victory of 2023 this past weekend.
A 1-0 triumph over Austin FC II gave Rapids 2 their most impressive win of the season, handing the Texas-based visitors their first regulation defeat. Marlon Vargas scored his second goal of the campaign, while Rapids 2’s backline posted their fourth shutout. Now with a bye week approaching, Rapids 2 will rest and recharge before a two-match road trip to end May’s schedule.
Last Match: 1-0 win vs. Austin FC II
Next Match: at North Texas SC on Thursday, May 25
