July has come and gone, but the pressure involved in the MLS NEXT Pro regular season has never been more visible.
The races atop each conference remain very close especially after Matchweek 20's slate of action. FC Cincinnati 2 leapfrogged Philadelphia Union II into first place in the East while North Texas SC sits one point in front of St. Louis CITY2 in the West.
Columbus Crew 2, NYCFC II, and Tacoma Defiance are all among the in-form clubs right now heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
Here is a closer look at MLS NEXT Pro's Top 10 Power Rankings following Matchweek 20:
10.) The Town FC
Another team riding high on form are The Town FC.
Sunday's 4-0 beatdown of rivals Ventura County FC saw The Town FC extend their regulation unbeaten streak to five matches. Casey Walls opened the scoring before Aaron Edwards and Beau Leroux (x2) added second half goals of their own.
With three clean sheets during their unbeaten run, The Town FC are also doing exceptionally well on the defensive side of the field.
Last Match: 4-0 win at Ventura County FC.
Next Match: vs. Timbers2 on Sunday, August 4.
9.) Columbus Crew 2
The good times continue to roll for Columbus Crew 2.
A 3-2 home victory over Philadelphia Union II saw Crew 2 extend their regulation unbeaten run to eight matches. Gibran Rayo's 97th minute winner helped the hosts remain dominant on home soil this season, while also keep the team's confidence high.
Friday's trip to NYCFC II could see Crew 2 leapfrog their opponents with three points on the road.
Last Match: 3-2 win vs. Philadelphia Union II.
Next Match: at NYCFC II on Friday, August 2.
8.) Whitecaps FC 2
Two points dropped at Real Monarchs cost Whitecaps FC 2 a rise in this week's Power Rankings.
A 9-8 shootout loss marked the Canadian club's third shootout defeat of the season in four tries overall. Despite an early goal from Nicolas Chateau, Ricardo Clark's men failed to earn all three points for the second-consecutive match.
Last Match: 1-1, SOL at Real Monarchs.
Next Match: at Sporting KC II on Friday, August 2.
7.) Ventura County FC
A 4-0 home hammering at the hands of The Town FC won't sit well with Ventura County FC.
The Western Conference club has not won a match in regulation since May 31, being forced into shootouts on six occasions, and losing twice overall. With a trip to St. Louis CITY2 coming on Friday, a bounce-back win could be crucial in helping them stay in next week's Power Rankings.
Last Match: 4-0 loss vs. The Town FC.
Next Match: at St. Louis CITY2 on Friday, August 2.
6.) NYCFC II
Another team flying high at the moment is NYCFC II.
Saturday's 1-0 road win over Carolina Core saw NYCFC II extend their winning streak to three matches and their regulation unbeaten run to eight overall. Camli Ruiz's late dagger helped Matt Pikington's squad avoid a slip-up on the road and stay among the East's elite this summer.
A top-five clash with fellow in-form side Columbus Crew 2 on Friday should be a good test for NYCFC II.
Last Match: 1-0 win at Carolina Core FC.
Next Match: vs. Columbus Crew 2 on Friday, August 2.
5.) Chicago Fire II
Conceding five goals for the second time this summer is not a positive sign for Chicago Fire II.
A 5-0 road loss to rivals FC Cincinnati 2 saw Fire II shutout for the second time in their last three matches. It also marked the first time since June 30, in which they've conceded five goals in a match.
If Fire II doesn't get a grip fast, their five-match road trip could turn ugly.
Last Match: 5-0 loss at FC Cincinnati 2.
Next Match: at New York Red Bulls II on Sunday, August 4.
4.) St. Louis CITY2
Back-to-back losses for St. Louis CITY2 have Bobby Murphy's squad sitting in an unfamiliar position.
A 2-1 loss at North Texas SC saw CITY2 overtaken for the top spot in the West. Conceding 12 goals in their last four matches overall is not a recipe for success, which has led to three defeats over that span.
Last Match: 2-1 loss at North Texas SC.
Next Match: vs. Ventura County FC on Friday, August 2.
3.) North Texas SC
After suffering back-to-back defeats, North Texas SC rebounded in style.
NTX defeated St. Louis CITY2 by a 2-1 scoreline, jumping into first place in the Western Conference. Malik Henry-Scott and Enes Sali both scored for NTX, who made the most of their top-two clash on home soil.
A crucial Texas Derby is up next against Austin FC II before home matches against Sporting KC II and Houston Dynamo 2.
Last Match: 2-1 win vs. St. Louis CITY2.
Next Match: at Austin FC II on Friday, August 2.
2.) Philadelphia Union II
For the first time in 2024, Philadelphia Union II have lost consecutive matches.
A 3-2 defeat to Columbus Crew 2 saw Marlon LeBlanc's men overtaken for the top spot in the East. Despite goals from Eddy Davis and Gavin Wetzel, Union II conceded a 97th minute winner to Crew 2's Gibran Rayo.
Upcoming home matches against FC Cincinnati 2 and Chicago Fire II could prove costly to where Union II finish in the East standings.
Last Match: 3-2 loss at Columbus Crew 2.
Next Match: vs. FC Cincinnati 2 on Friday, August 2.
1.) FC Cincinnati 2
The best way to rebound from a lopsided loss is to deliver a lopsided victory. That's exactly what FC Cincinnati 2 did on Sunday night.
A 5-0 home triumph over Chicago Fire II saw five different FCC2 players find the back of the net. Talented young attacker Stefan Chirila continued his impressive season while Guilherme and Moises Tablante also delivered impactful performances.
After jumping to first place in the East, FCC2 will now prepare to face the team they leapfrogged, Philadelphia Union II.
Last Match: 5-0 win vs. Chicago Fire II
Next Match: at Philadelphia Union II on Friday, August 2.
