The 2024 MLS NEXT Pro regular season is heading into the final weekend of April and many of the continued leaders remain top of the pack.
Ventura County FC, Philadelphia Union II, and LAFC2 round out the top three teams in this week's rankings following Matchweek 6 action. North Texas SC, Chicago Fire II, and St. Louis CITY2 also cracked the Top 10 following weekend results in league play.
Chattanooga FC remains in the Top 10, continuing an impressive start to life in MLS NEXT Pro.
Here is a closer look at MLS NEXT Pro's Top 10 Power Rankings following Matchweek 6:
10.) St. Louis CITY2
Bobby Murphy's St. Louis CITY2 squad are enjoying a nice run of form this spring.
CITY2 extended their regulation unbeaten streak to five matches after defeating Real Monarchs 2-0 on Friday. Mykhi Joynes and Caden Glover both scored in the second half as CITY2 made it back-to-back shutout victories. St. Louis also possesses one of the league's stingiest defenses, conceding only five goals so far this season.
Last Match: 2-0 win vs. Real Monarchs
Next Match: at MNUFC2 on Friday, May 3
9.) Chicago Fire II
Chicago Fire II rebounded from U.S. Open Cup elimination by grabbing three points in league play on Monday night. A 2-1 home triumph over Carolina Core FC, bumped Fire II into the No. 9 spot this week. Javier Casas and Harold Osorio both celebrated goals while the Fire II backline held on despite conceding a second-half consolation goal.
A three-match homestand ends on Sunday against ATL UTD 2.
Last Match: 2-1 win vs. Carolina Core FC
Next Match: vs. ATL UTD 2 on Sunday, April 28
8.) North Texas SC
North Texas SC looks to have found their groove after a rocky start.
Back-to-back wins over Tacoma Defiance and Colorado Rapids 2 have John Gall's men unbeaten this season in regulation. Pedro Fonseca and Tarik Scott both scored late goals during Matchweek 6's action, giving NTX a current fifth-place standing in the Western Conference.
Last Match: 2-0 win at Colorado Rapids 2
Next Match: vs. Houston Dynamo 2 on Sunday, April 28
7.) Sporting KC II
Sporting KC II only walked away with one point on Saturday night, but fought valiantly against the Western Conference leaders.
A 10-9 shootout loss to Ventura County FC saw Benny Feilhaber's men leave California with one point despite playing out a 1-1 draw over 90 minutes. Chris Rindov became the latest goalscorer in the SKC II squad, joining six other SKC II players on the stat-sheet this season.
Matchweek 7 pits SKC II against MNUFC2 on home soil.
Last Match: 1-1, SOL at Ventura County FC
Next Match: vs. MNUFC2 on Sunday, April 28
6.) Tacoma Defiance
Tacoma Defiance rebounded as well this past weekend with two points earned against Cascadia Cup rivals Whitecaps FC 2.
Goalkeeper Andrew Thomas led the way with three saves as the Defiance claimed a 4-2 shootout result on home soil. It marked the second clean sheet of the season for Tacoma, who closes out a two-match homestand this Thursday against The Town FC.
Last Match: 0-0, SOW vs. Whitecaps FC 2
Next Match: vs. The Town FC on Thursday, April 25.
5.) Chattanooga FC
The points just keep on coming for Chattanooga FC.
Chattanooga FC earned their third regulation victory out of their last four matches after defeating Huntsville City FC 1-0 away from home. Alex McGrath's second-half goal proved to be the difference as CFC jumped into second place in the Eastern Conference standings. C
CFC's only loss of 2024 remains their U.S. Open Cup elimination.
Last Match: 1-0 win at Huntsville City FC
Next Match: at ATL UTD 2 on Wednesday, April 24
4.) New York Red Bulls II
New York Red Bulls II also remained unbeaten in regulation through Matchweek 6 after earning one point in a shooutout loss to Philadelphia Union II.
Steven Sserwadda scored his first goal of 2024 while goalkeeper Aidan Stokes made four saves in a 4-2 shootout defeat. Red Bulls II have remained one of the leading teams in the Eastern Conference, but will now try and rebound against the reigning Eastern Conference champions, Columbus Crew 2.
Last Match: 1-1, SOL at Philadelphia Union II
Next Match: B
3.) LAFC2
LAFC2's off week paired with positive results for Philadelphia Union II and Ventura County FC dropped them to No. 3 this week.
Junior Gonzalez's men remain one of the more consistent sides in league play so far, losing just once in regulation through five matches. Luis Muller's four goals lead the squad and Gonzalez will hope that Muller can play a starring role in upcoming matches against Timbers2 and Real Monarchs.
Last Match: Off
Next Match: vs Timbers2 on Sunday, April 28
2.) Philadelphia Union II
Philadelphia Union II's regulation unbeaten streak extended to six matches on Sunday after a 4-2 shootout victory over New York Red Bulls II.
Marlon LeBlanc's squad received a fourth league goal from forward Eddie Davis while goalkeeper Andrew Rick made two saves, including one in the shootout. Youth remains the major talking point in the Union II squad, especially with Davis, Francis Westfield, and Cavan Sullivan leading the show.
Last Match: 1-1, SOW vs. New York Red Bulls II
Next Match: at FC Cincinnati 2 on Sunday, April 28
1.) Ventura County FC
VCFC reclaimed the top spot in this week's Power Rankings after grinding out two points against Sporting KC II on Saturday.
Axel Essengue's 92nd minute equalizer helped VCFC eventually earn a 10-9 shootout win home soil. The result was a massive bounce-back for VCFC, especially after falling to in-state rivals LAFC2 in Matchweek 5 action.
A tricky two-match roadtrip begins on Friday with a trip to reigning MLS NEXT Pro Champions, Austin FC II.
Last Match: 1-1, SOW vs. Sporting KC II
Next Match: at Austin FC II on Friday, April 26
