Outstanding showings from FC Cincinnati 2, Columbus Crew 2, Ventura County FC, and Tacoma Defiance highlighted results in Matchweek 21 of MLS NEXT Pro action. Several teams continued strong runs this week, creating movement in the power rankings and tightening competition in each conference's standings.
Crew 2 continued an impressive run with a 4-3 away win against a top Eastern Conference opponent in NYCFC II on Friday, while on the same day Aaron Bibout emerged as the hero for VCFC in a 3-2 win over St Louis CITY2. Chris Aquino helped Tacoma Defiance produce five goals to extend the team's unbeaten run.
Here is a closer look at MLS NEXT Pro's Top 10 Power Rankings following Matchweek 21:
10.) Chicago Fire FC II
Chicago Fire FC II fell 4-3 on Sunday to a New York Red Bulls II team that is scoring among the best in the league recently. However, Fire II's David Poreba is maintaining his hot form, scoring two goals in the match and reaching the top spot in the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Golden Boot race.
Sunday's result makes it two losses in a row for Fire II, in which Ludovic Taillander's side gave up four and five goals. Things only get more challenging, with Philadelphia Union II next on the schedule.
Last Match: 4-3 loss at New York Red Bulls II
Next Match: at Philadelphia Union II on Saturday, August 10
9.) Tacoma Defiance
Tacoma Defiance raised the temperature in an extremely competitive Western Conference with its latest win, a 5-1 showing against MNUFC2. The win stretched Defiance's unbeaten streak to six games and included a brace from Chris Aquino, who reached six goals on the season.
Defiance still have work to do, lying fifth in the Western Conference, but only seven points separate the club from first-place North Texas SC. Defiance got the job done Sunday without top scorer Faysal Bettache, but scoring has not been an issue. The team has scored four or more goals in each of its past four matches.
Last Match: 5-1 win vs. MNUFC2
Next Match: at Real Monarchs on Sunday, August 11
8.) NYCFC II
A 10-match unbeaten streak for NYCFC II came to an end Friday, as Matt Pilkington's side fell to Columbus Crew 2 at home. The club falls two spots in this week's power rankings, but still carries momentum forward following a high-scoring affair against an in-form opponent.
Camil Azzam Ruiz emerged as another attacking contributor, scoring his third and fourth goals of the season Friday. Taylor Calheira also added his 10th goal of the season.
NYCFC II could still join the race in the Eastern Conference with 17 games played while each team above in the table has played 20 games.
Last Match: 4-3 loss vs. Columbus Crew 2.
Next Match: at New York Red Bulls II on Sunday, August 11.
7.) Whitecaps FC 2
Whitecaps FC 2's form has dropped slightly since an outstanding June and early July run launched the club near the top of the Western Conference standings. Two points on the road at Sporting KC II saw Ricardo Clark's side grinding out a road result, with Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau scoring an equalizing penalty and a strong showing from goalkeeper Max Anchor.
Whitecaps FC 2 remains a contender in the Eastern Conference, lying fourth-place, just two points behind St Louis CITY2 and Ventura County FC.
Last Match: 1-1, SOW vs. Sporting KC II
Next Match: vs. Colorado Rapids 2 on Wednesday, August 7
6.) Ventura County FC
Aaron Bibout's late half volley ensured a comeback for all three points against St Louis CITY2, handing Ventura County FC perhaps its most impressive win of the season. While VCFC have performed well in shootouts in recent months, Friday's win at CITYPark was the club's first time picking up all three points since May 31.
The 19-year-old Bibout has reached eight goals in 2024, while Sean Karani and academy player Javier Corona also got on the scoresheet in Matchweek 21.
Last Match: 3-2 win at St Louis CITY2
Next Match: vs. LAFC2 on Sunday, August 11
5.) St Louis CITY2
Coach Bobby Murphy and St Louis CITY2 are searching for answers after their losing streak reached three games. Goals from Matteo Kidd and Oscar Benitez seemed to have the squad in the driver's seat, but everything went wrong after the 70th minute.
Luckily, CITY2's previous extended run of form limits the damage, as CITY still lies third in the Western Conference, just four points behind leaders North Texas. CITY2's defensive strength has dwindled lately, with the club giving up eight goals across the last three games.
Last Match: 3-2 loss vs. Ventura County FC
Next Match: at Houston Dynamo 2 on Sunday, August 11
4.) Columbus Crew 2
Crew 2 is one of the hottest teams in the league, continuing an impressive winning streak that includes victories over some of the top MLS NEXT Pro sides, including a 6-1 win over FC Cincinnati 2, a 3-2 triumph over Union II, and an incredible performance from Brent Adu-Gyamfi in the latest 4-3 win over NYCFC II.
The club has seen some key contributors emerge in recent weeks, with Gibran Rayo scoring in three straight matches and academy players Anthony Alaouieh and Chase Adams excelling.
Crew 2 will enjoy a break before the next match, waiting 16 days between Friday's win over NYCFC II and the next match against New England Revolution II.
Last Match: 4-3 win at NYCFC II
Next Match: vs. New England Revolution II on Sunday, August 18
3.) Philadelphia Union II
While Philadelphia Union II have faced some of the top clubs in MLS NEXT Pro lately, the team's form has dipped and Marlon LeBlanc's side finds itself on a three-game losing streak. Union II couldn't find an answer to Ben Stitz' 31st-minute goal in a 1-0 loss to FC Cincinnati 2.
The shutout was the first time Union II had been held without a goal in two months. FC Cincinnati 2 had previously held the team scoreless on June 6.
Last Match: 1-0 loss vs. FC Cincinnati 2
Next Match: vs. Chicago Fire FC II on Saturday, August 10
2.) North Texas SC
North Texas earned a point in a shootout loss on the road against Austin FC II on Friday, keeping its place atop the Western Conference standings and continuing to move past a poor couple of results in the middle of July.
NTX's Herbert Endeley equalized in the first half with an assist from Tarik Scott. Austin FC II later won the shootout by a 5-4 score.
Last Match: 1-1, SOL at Austin FC II
Next Match: vs. Sporting KC II on Saturday, August 10
1.) FC Cincinnati 2
With a league-leading 41 points, FC Cincinnati 2 is truly on a tear. Matchweek 21's 1-0 win over Philadelphia Union II provided yet another opportunity to show their strength against a top side. FCC2's 6-1 loss to Crew 2 two weeks ago is looking increasingly like a blip on the radar for a team that is consistently gaining points.
Ben Stitz scored the only goal in the latest win, bringing his 2024 goal total to six. Breakout performer Stefan Chirila also has six goals, while Kenji Mboma Dem has contributed five goals.
Last Match: 1-0 win at Philadelphia Union II
Next Match: at New England Revolution II on Wednesday, August 7
