Four weeks left in the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro regular season means there are no room for slip-ups for many of the teams in the league.
St. Louis CITY2 continued to rack up the wins in Western Conference play this weekend while North Texas SC remained top thanks to a road win of their own.
Tacoma Defiance, LAFC2, and Ventura County FC all picked up multiple points in the West while FC Cincinnati 2, Orlando City B, and Chattanooga FC did so in the East.
Here is a closer look at MLS NEXT Pro's Top 10 Power Rankings following Matchweek 26:
10.) Chicago Fire II
Three-straight shootout results keep Chicago Fire II in this week's Power Rankings.
A 4-3 shootout loss to FC Cincinnati 2 marked Fire II's third point earned out of their last nine available. However, with only one regulation win out of their last seven matches, pressure will be on Fire II to turn things around.
Last Match: 1-1, SOL vs. FC Cincinnati 2.
Next Match: vs. New York Red Bulls II on Friday, September 13.
9.) Ventura County FC
An impressive comeback performance helped Ventura County FC extend their regulation unbeaten streak to three matches on Sunday.
Second-half goals from Ruben Ramos Jr and Ifunanyachi Achara helped VCFC force a shootout at Houston Dynamo 2 before the visitors edged the hosts 4-3 from spot kicks.
VCFC are now 8-2 in shootouts this season, making them a tough out for every team in the Western Conference.
Last Match: 2-2, SOW at Houston Dynamo 2.
Next Match: vs. North Texas SC on Wednesday, September 11.
8.) Tacoma Defiance
Tacoma Defiance's impressive summer run continued Sunday with a second-straight win.
Herve Diese's men defeated rivals Timbers2 by a 5-2 scoreline. A busy second-half featured a pair of braces from Braudilio Rodrigues and Sebastian Gomez, and a second goal of the season from centerback Antino Lopez.
Reaching the Top Two spots might be tough for the Defiance, but they are very capable of hanging onto the West's No. 3 seed.
Last Match: 5-2 win vs. Timbers2.
Next Match: vs. Real Monarchs on Friday, September 13.
7.) Philadelphia Union II
A bye week should give Marlon LeBlanc's squad a needed energy boost heading into their final five regular season matches.
Upcoming trips to Carolina Core FC and Inter Miami II are two matches that Union II will be favored to win. However, regulation wins have been tough for Union II to come by lately, after winning only one of their last six overall.
Eddy Davis, CJ Olney, and Cavan Sullivan will look to lead the young Union II squad into the playoffs in the coming weeks.
Last Match: Bye Week.
Next Match: at Carolina Core FC on Wednesday, September 11.
6.) LAFC2
A 2-1 home win for LAFC2 on Sunday helped them get back to winning ways.
Matias Wanchope and Nicklaus Sullivan both scored in the second half to help the hosts fight back for three points over Sporting KC II. Goalkeeper David Ochoa made nine saves as well, earning Man of the Match honors.
It marked LAFC2's first home victory since August 4.
Last Match: 2-1 win vs. Sporting KC II.
Next Match: at Timbers2 on Saturday, September 14.
5.) NYCFC II
Back-to-back shootout results for NYCFC II have kept them in the midst of the playoff picture.
A 4-2 shootout loss vs. ATL UTD 2 isn't the worst thing in the world for Matt Pilkington's squad. Ronny Arevalo and Camli Azzam Ruiz both scored goals for NYCFC II, but a 94th minute own goal allowed the visitors to force the shootout.
NYCFC II sits fourth in the East ahead of a home-and-home series with TFC II.
Last Match: 2-2, SOL at ATL UTD 2.
Next Match: vs. TFC II on Wednesday, September 11.
4.) FC Cincinnati 2
After suffering back-to-back shutout losses, FC Cincinnati 2 got back on track in Matchweek 26 play.
A 4-3 shootout win over Chicago Fire II helped Tyrone Marshall's squad claim two points at SeatGeek Stadium. Goalkeeper Paul Walters made two key saves while Ben Stitz scored the lone goal as the teams finished 1-1 after 90 minutes. FCC2 have now won two shootouts in their past four matches, which could prove crucial in the Eastern Conference's race for the No. 1 seed.
Last Match: 1-1, SOW at Chicago Fire II.
Next Match: vs. Columbus Crew 2 on Sunday, September 15.
3.) Columbus Crew 2
A 12-match regulation unbeaten run ended for Columbus Crew 2 on Sunday.
Crew 2's 2-1 loss at Chattanooga FC marked their first regulation defeat since June 2. Owen Presthus scored the lone goal for Crew 2, but overall it was a sloppy performance from the visitors.
Things don't get any easier for Crew 2 next week with a trip to rivals FC Cincinnati 2.
Last Match: 2-1 loss at Chattanooga FC.
Next Match: at FC Cincinnati 2 on Sunday, September 15.
2.) North Texas SC
A full three points is certainly was the doctor ordered for North Texas SC.
Tarik Scott's first-half goal was all NTX needed to claim a 1-0 road victory over Whitecaps FC2. Shockingly, the result marked the first road win for NTX since June 30, ending a major road drought for the West leaders.
It will be a quick turnaround for NTX this week, who next travels to Ventura County FC on Wednesday.
Last Match: at Ventura County FC on Wednesday, September 11.
Next Match: 1-0 win at Whitecaps FC2.
1.) St. Louis CITY2
A positive pair of results helped St. Louis CITY2 stay closely behind North Texas SC for top spot in the Western Conference.
A 3-2 home victory on Monday over Austin FC II was followed up by a 3-1 road triumph over Colorado Rapids 2. Brendan McSorley scored twice in Sunday's win, extending his goalscoring streak to three matches in league action.
CITY2 have now outscored their opposition 13-3 during this recent four-match unbeaten regulation streak.
Last Match: 3-1 win at Colorado Rapids 2.
Next Match: vs. MNUFC2 on Sunday, September 15.
