The penultimate weekend of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro regular season is in the books, adding the pressure on a very important Decision Day.
Several clubs earned crucial victories in Sunday's busy slate of action including Chicago Fire II, NYCFC II, Real Monarchs, and Chattanooga FC.
A few teams that are already destined for the postseason claimed three points including Philadelphia Union II, St. Louis CITY2 and Tacoma Defiance.
Here is a closer look at MLS NEXT Pro's Top 10 Power Rankings following Matchweek 29:
10.) Chicago Fire II
Chicago Fire II have not clinched a playoff spot just yet, but Sunday's 1-0 rivalry win over Columbus Crew 2 boosted them over the red line for now.
David Poreba's first-half goal was all Fire II needed to earn their first regulation road win since June 16 (4-0 over Huntsville City FC). Goalkeeper Patrick Los made four saves as well for the visitors, quieting the Crew 2 faithful on multiple occasions.
Welcoming the East leaders to town on Decision Day certainly is daunting, but Fire II need to leave it all on the field for a shot of making the postseason.
Last Match: 1-0 win at Columbus Crew 2.
Next Match: vs. Philadelphia Union II on Sunday, October 6.
9.) Tacoma Defiance
A first shutout victory since June 30 will certainly do Tacoma Defiance good heading into Decision Day.
Herve Diese's men earned a 2-0 home result over Houston Dynamo 2 on Sunday, using a second-half brace from Raul Miglietti. Stuart Hawkins and Burke Fahling both added assists of their own while the Defiance put on a show at Starfire Sports Complex.
A Decision Day trip to St. Louis CITY2 provides a good test for the Defiance before the playoffs begin.
Last Match: 2-0 vs. Houston Dynamo 2.
Next Match: at St. Louis CITY2 on Sunday, October 6.
8.) The Town FC
Three-straight shutout victories have The Town FC riding high heading into Decision Day.
Sunday's 2-0 home triumph over LAFC2 saw 19-year-old goalkeeper Emi Ochoa make five saves en route to a third-consecutive clean sheet. The dual-national goalkeeper is one of the highly touted prospects for The Town FC, in addition to midfielder Cruz Medina, who scored Sunday's opening goal.
Could The Town FC eclipse the 50-point mark with a road win over Austin FC II this Sunday? The odds are in their favor.
Last Match: 2-0 win vs. LAFC2.
Next Match: at Austin FC II on Sunday, October 6.
7.) LAFC2
LAFC2 might already have a playoff spot sealed, but back-to-back shutout losses is not a good sign.
Sunday's 2-0 loss to The Town FC continued a worrying run for the Western Conference club, especially with the playoffs right around the corner. Luis Muller, Nicklaus Sullivan, and Co. had their chances on the road on Sunday, but failed to find the back of the net.
A winnable affair comes on Decision Day at Sporting KC II.
Last Match: 2-0 loss at The Town FC.
Next Match: at Sporting KC II on Sunday, October 6.
6.) Columbus Crew 2
A four-match winless run have Columbus Crew 2 in danger of missing the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs.
Sunday's 1-0 home loss to rivals Chicago Fire II have Crew 2 in 10th place heading into Decision Day. It's strange to see Crew 2 in this type of spot of the season, but failure to earn a regulation win since August 18 will ultimately do that to a club.
A trip to New England Revolution II won't be easy either, especially with Revs II aiming to end their season on a high.
Last Match: 1-0 loss vs. Chicago Fire II.
Next Match: at New England Revolution II on Sunday, October 6.
5.) NYCFC II
NYCFC II haven't sealed a playoff berth just yet in the East but Sunday's statement win over FC Cincinnati 2 have moved them one step closer.
A second-half comeback saw Klevis Haxhari and Piero Elias both find the back of the net after Jonathan Shore tied the match in first-half stoppage time. The result was NYCFC II's first regulation win since August 28, snapping a five-match winless run in the process.
Last Match: 3-1 win vs. FC Cincinnati 2.
Next Match: vs. Huntsville City FC on Sunday, October 6.
4.) Philadelphia Union II
Back-to-back wins have Philadelphia Union II in the driver's seat for the East's No. 1 seed.
Sunday's 2-1 home victory over ATL UTD 2 saw Cavan Sullivan and C.J. Olney both score late to give the hosts three points at Subaru Park. The 15-year-old Sullivan earned Man of the Match honors, while goalkeeper Andrew Rick made three saves to preserve the victory.
Union II are one point ahead of FCC2 for top spot in the East heading into their final match of the regular season.
Last Match: 2-1 win vs. ATL UTD 2.
Next Match: at Chicago Fire II on Sunday, October 6.
3.) FC Cincinnati 2
A rare road defeat saw FC Cincinnati 2 cough up a first-half lead to NYCFC II.
Kenji Mboma Dem propelled Tyrone Marshall's squad in front after 31 minutes but NYCFC II would rally in the second half to take all three points. It marked FCC2's first road loss since April 14 and only their third away from Northern Kentucky University all season.
The No. 1 seed in the East is still up for the taking on Decision day between FCC2 and Philadelphia Union II.
Last Match: 3-1 loss at NYCFC II.
Next Match: vs. Orlando City B on Sunday, October 6.
2.) North Texas SC
The West's best continues to find a way to pick up points.
North Texas SC used a 91st minute equalizer from Isaiah Kaakoush to eventually claim a 4-1 shootout win over Sporting KC II. NTX's regulation unbeaten run extended to five matches in the process after moving to 59 points on the season.
The West's No. 1 seed may already be theirs, but NTX will want to eclipse the 60-point plateau at home on Decision Day.
Last Match: 1-1, SOW at Sporting KC II.
Next Match: vs. MNUFC 2 on Sunday, October 6.
1.) St. Louis CITY2
A bounce back road win is what the doctor ordered for St. Louis CITY2.
Bobby Murphy's squad used a second-half brace from Brendan McSorley to claim a 3-2 road result over Ventura County FC. Despite being down 2-1 after the hour mark, CITY2 dug deep and got back on track after a pair of winless results.
They can't catch North Texas SC heading into the final day, but will seek a home victory on Decision Day before the postseason begins.
Last Match: 3-2 win at Ventura County FC.
Next Match: vs. Tacoma Defiance on Sunday, October 6.
