The opening week of MLS NEXT Pro gave us a lot to take in.
Is it too early to issue power rankings? Perhaps. But in the name of fun, the MLS NEXT Pro staff tallied votes to form a Top 10 based on this weekend's performances.
Here is a closer look at the teams who garnered the most power in Matchday 1.
A rematch of the 2022 Western Conference final proved evenly matched and nervy. The Defiance looked to have sealed the deal by breaking the game's deadlock in the 76th minute, but a stoppage-time equalizer forced a shootout where they were perfect from the spot.
Last Match: 1-1 (5-4 SOW) at St Louis CITY2
Next Match: vs. Real Monarchs on Sunday, April 2
Revs II was presented with one of the weekend's tricky matchups and passed the test. Atlanta United 2 was well-established before joining MLS NEXT Pro which presented several unknowns, but Revolution II forced an own goal in the first half and claimed a firm grip with two goals in the second. They did allow two after the 80th minute, which is something to watch, but does not entirely detract from what was otherwise an impressive opener on the road.
Last Match: 3-2 win at Atlanta United 2
Next Match: vs NYCFCII on Sunday, April 2
Sunday's contest with fellow debutant Crown Legacy FC was always destined to be a thriller, and Hunstville City FC showed it could rise to the occasion. After conceding a stoppage-time equalizer, goalkeeper Benjamin Martino stood strong to lift his side over in the shootout to grab a valuable extra point. Maintaining positive form will be critical for Jack Collison's side now, as it has six more consecutive road tests before coming home for its opening day on May 19.
Last Match: 2-2 (4-3 SOW) at Crown Legacy FC
Next Match: at Orlando City B on Friday, March 31
Whitecaps FC had to kickstart the season with a Cascadian grudge match and passed the test with a 2-1 win over Timbers2. What's more, it's a positive start for freshly-installed head coach Ricardo Clark who will take his squad out for its first road trip of the season on Matchday 2.
Last Match: 2-1 win vs. Timbers2
Next Match: at Los Angeles FC 2 on Sunday, April 2
Opening the year with a road win over a 2022 playoff team is about as good as it gets in Matchday 1. OCB had no fear in their 3-1 win over Philadelphia Union II and heads into Friday's match against Huntsville City FC, an MLS NEXT Pro expansion side, with some real power. Can they take advantage of a newer squad and create a dream start to the campaign?
Last Match: 3-1 win at Philadelphia Union II
Next Match: vs. Huntsville City FC on Friday, March 31
A convincing road win is always a good thing. Fire II took care of business at Inter Miami CF II to the tune of 3-1 on Sunday. Last year, dropping points from winning positions kept Fire II out of the Eastern Conference elite. After conceding the equalizer on Sunday, they rallied to regain the lead and kill the game.
Last Match: 3-1 win at Inter Miami CF II
Next Match: vs. Toronto FC II on Friday, March 31
Again, it's early - but it's also essential to give credit where it's due, and FC Cincinnati 2 is in the spotlight after Monday's 4-2 win over Toronto FC II. FCC2 was far behind the pack in the Eastern Conference last season and is one of the teams with much to prove in 2023. Beating an Eastern Conference playoff finalist and scoring the most goals of any club in the league (4) in MLS NEXT Pro's opening week raised a few eyebrows around the league.
Last Match: 4-2 win vs. Toronto FC II
Next Match: at Crown Legacy FC on Friday, March 31
Starting your MLS NEXT Pro journey against one of last year's powerhouses is not an enviable position, but ATXFCII passed the test on Friday. Valentin Noël's brace completed a comeback 2-1 victory over Houston Dynamo 2 and stamped a memorable day at Parmer Field. If Friday was any indication for the rest of the season - it looks like Austin FC II will be very well supported this season, and that can help make the margin between it and the more experienced sides in the league thinner.
Last Match: 2-1 win vs. Houston Dynamo 2
Next Match: at Sporting KC II on Sunday, April 2
Quakes II was one of only three teams to open the season without conceding a goal, which is an ideal start in what's expected to be a hotly contested Western Conference. What's more, there was a little extra pressure when facing in-state rival LA Galaxy II making its MLS NEXT Pro debut and presenting an array of unknowns. Dan DeGeer's men handled the occasion and some.
Last Match: 3-0 win vs LA Galaxy II
Next Match: at Timbers2 on Sunday, April 2
It's hard to argue with a perfect road opener. Maybe the snow in Salt Lake made MNUFC2 feel a little more at home on Friday. But the fact is MNUFC2 had to overcome the travel and weather to put up a convincing 3-0 win over the Real Monarchs, which sees them carry the most power into Matchday 2.
Last Match: 3-0 win at Real Monarchs
Next Match: at St Louis CITY2 on Sunday, April 2
