The inaugural season of MLS NEXT Pro has been packed with goals, drama, and excitement through six weeks. Let’s take a look at the teams that continued to light it up and made MLS NEXT Pro Top 5 Team Rankings this week:
CITY2 was convincing in its bounce-back win over Real Monarchs on Friday. Josh Dolling’s brace led the way in a match where St Louis CITY2 owned the lion’s share of all offensive stats. The win kept John Hackworth’s side in the Western Conference playoff picture and improved the season record to an impressive 4-1-0.
Previous Ranking: Not ranked.
Next Match: vs Whitecaps FC 2 on Saturday, May 7.
A three-game winning streak amid a five-game unbeaten run will garner some attention around the league. WFC 2’s positive run of form places them back in the Western Conference playoff picture and variety has been a consistent theme in the side’s scoring. The 12 Whitecaps FC 2 goals scored this season have come from the feet of 10 different players, showing that danger can come from anywhere in its attack.
Previous Ranking: Not ranked.
Next Match: at St Louis CITY2 on Saturday, May 7.
Crew 2 had a BYE week and has performed too well in recent weeks to be punished for it.
The side from Columbus still tops the Eastern Conference standings even after having the weekend off, and its 4-1-0 record has averaged 2.4 points per game, which only trails Houston Dynamo 2 by a fraction. The early success has been thanks to a league-best three goals allowed (nearest competitors have allowed six), which has produced a four-game winning streak after opening the season with a loss.
Previous Ranking: 2
Next Match: at New England Revolution II on Sunday, May 8.
The North Texas side has only suffered one defeat this season which was a 3-2 loss to Houston Dynamo 2. As we’ve learned, there really is no shame in that and Pa-Modou Kah’s men have gone unbeaten in all other matches this year to stay right on the heels of Dynamo Dos in the Western Conference, and Sunday’s win over Sporting KC II positioned North Texas SC just one point off the lead.
Previous Ranking: 3
Next Match: vs Tacoma Defiance on Sunday, May 8.
Dynamo Dos’ lengthy winning run out of the gate is impossible to unsee, even after suffering defeat on Sunday. The loss was affordable, and the Western Conference is still controlled by Houston Dynamo 2 at the moment. Their 13 goals scored is good among the league leaders and based on what we’ve seen in the first five weeks, Dynamo Dos should have no problem bouncing back soon.
Previous Ranking: 1
Next Match: vs Colorado Rapids 2 on Sunday, May 8.
