There are eight weeks left in the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro regular season, making every remaining match crucial in the fight for playoff spots and seeding.
North Texas SC and Philadelphia Union II earned crucial regulation wins this past weekend while FC Cincinnati 2 outlasted New England Revolution II in a shootout.
Whitecaps FC 2 suffered a home setback vs. Colorado Rapids 2, falling in this week's rankings. Chicago Fire II failed to snap their losing streak while LAFC2 earned a statement rivalry win.
Here is a closer look at MLS NEXT Pro's Top 10 Power Rankings following Matchweek 22:
10.) NYCFC II
NYCFC II didn't rebound fully on Sunday at MSU Soccer Park, but did at least leave North Jersey with one point.
A 5-4 shootout loss to New York Red Bulls II helped NYCFC II rebound slightly after a 4-3 loss to Columbus Crew 2. Piero Elias' first-half penalty kick goal was cancelled out by Steven Sserwadda's stoppage time equalizer.
A tricky trip to Orlando City B is next on the radar for NYCFC II.
Last Match: 1-1, SOL at New York Red Bulls II.
Next Match: at Orlando City B on Sunday, August 18.
9.) Whitecaps FC 2
Whitecaps FC 2 suffered its second-straight home loss on Wednesday.
A 2-1 loss to Colorado Rapids 2 snapped the two-match regulation unbeaten run that Ricardo Clark's men recently started in July. Nicolas Chateau scored the lone goal for the Canadian club, who will seek a bounce-back result at The Town FC next weekend.
Last Match: 2-1 loss vs. Colorado Rapids 2.
Next Match: at The Town FC on Sunday, August 18.
8.) Chicago Fire II
A third-consecutive defeat for Chicago Fire II is a worrying sign heading into the final stretch of the MLS NEXT Pro regular season.
Fire II fell 3-2 at Philadelphia Union II on Saturday, which marked another defeat against one of the top-two teams in the Eastern Conference. Peter Soudan and David Poreba both found the back of the net, but defensively Fire II's 12 goals conceded during their losing streak is a major sign for concern.
Last Match: 3-2 loss at Philadelphia Union II.
Next Match: at NYCFC II on Friday, August 23.
7.) Ventura County FC
A second rivalry loss in quick succession will not sit right in the Ventura County FC squad.
Sunday's 2-1 home loss to LAFC2 marked the second loss for VCFC in the past three matches. Despite Axel Essengue's second-half consolation, VCFC missed a big opportunity to create some breathing room between them and their biggest rivals.
Now an important Matchweek 23 contest with Tacoma Defiance looms on the schedule.
Last Match: 2-1 loss vs. LAFC2.
Next Match: at Tacoma Defiance on Sunday, August 18.
6.) LAFC2
Two crucial victories at an important time for LAFC2.
Sunday's 2-1 road triumph over rivals Ventura County FC followed up a 2-1 win over Real Monarchs the week prior. Christian Diaz and Luis Muller supplied the goals on Sunday while Luca Bombino, Adrian Wibowo, and goalkeeper David Ochoa also delivered strong shifts.
The schedule doesn't get any easier for LAFC2 though, who next visits Timbers2 in Matchweek 23 action.
Last Match: 2-1 win at Ventura County FC.
Next Match: vs. Timbers2 on Friday, August 16.
5.) Columbus Crew 2
Columbus Crew 2 received a much-needed break ahead of the final six weeks of the regular season.
The 2022 MLS NEXT Pro Cup winners are riding a nine-match unbeaten regulation streak in league play, which featured recent victories over FC Cincinnati 2 and Philadelphia Union II, two sides that are in front of them in the Eastern Conference table.
Chase Adams continues to lead the team with eight goals in 2024.
Last Match: Bye Week
Next Match: vs. New England Revolution II on Sunday, August 18.
4.) St. Louis CITY2
St. Louis CITY2's failure to pick up three points continued Sunday night in Texas.
Bobby Murphy's squad earned one point in a 4-2 shootout loss to Houston Dynamo 2, but ultimately suffered another setback in a recent worrying run of form. Hosei Kijima's equalizer helped CITY2 at least force a shootout, but without a victory in their last four matches, pressure is certainly on the group to get back to winning ways.
Last Match: 1-1, SOL at Houston Dynamo 2.
Next Match: at MNUFC2 on Sunday, August 18.
3.) Philadelphia Union II
Philadelphia Union II got back to winning ways on Saturday, snapping a three-match losing run in the process.
A 3-2 home triumph vs. Chicago Fire II featured a brace from Leandro Soria and a late insurance goal from CONCACAF U-20 Championship standout David Vazquez. Soria has been a nice complimentary player for Union II this season, totaling four goals in 14 appearances (six starts) to date.
Last Match: 3-2 win vs. Chicago Fire II.
Next Match: at TFC II on Sunday, August 18.
2.) North Texas SC
North Texas SC continues to pull away from the rest of the pack in the Western Conference.
A 2-0 home triumph vs. Sporting KC II saw Anthony Ramirez and Pedro Fonseca contribute goals for the club. The result extends NTX's regulation unbeaten streak to three matches, keeping them in the driver's seat atop the West.
Last Match: 2-0 win vs. Sporting KC II.
Next Match: vs. Houston Dynamo 2 on Saturday, August 17.
1.) FC Cincinnati 2
The points continue to come for FC Cincinnati 2.
A 6-5 shootout win over New England Revolution II helped Tyrone Marshall's squad remain one of the more consistent teams this summer. Goalkeeper Hunter Morse registered a two-save clean sheet for FCC2 on Wednesday, stealing the headline for once over his attacking teammates.
Last Match: 0-0, SOW at New England Revolution II.
Next Match: vs. Carolina Core FC on Friday, August 16.
