May's MLS NEXT Pro schedule kicked off with a bang as several clubs further boosted their records this season.
Ventura County FC enjoyed a bye week while LAFC2, Philadelphia Union II, and North Texas SC were among the teams to earn regulation victories. Chattanooga FC continued their impressive spring with two points earned against Orlando City B while St. Louis CITY2 and New York Red Bulls II were also among the positive performers during Matchweek 8's slate.
Here is a closer look at MLS NEXT Pro's Top 10 Power Rankings following Matchweek 8:
10.) Tacoma Defiance
Tacoma Defiance were off this weekend, but remain one of the contenders in the Western Conference this season.
Tacoma's 15 goals scored are tied for the third-most in the West while they have picked up points in each of their last two matches. Faysal Bettache has been one of the top offseason signings, leading the team with four goals and three assists so far.
A busy four-match road trip starts on Friday against rivals Timbers2.
Last Match: Off
Next Match: at Timbers2 on Friday, May 10
9.) Sporting KC II
A first defeat since March 31 snapped Sporting KC II's four-match regulation unbeaten streak.
Benny Feilhaber's squad couldn't get it going on Sunday in an eventual 2-0 home defeat to North Texas SC. SKC II were held to just two shots on target in one of their more-quieter performances of the season.
A three-match homestand concludes on Sunday against Colorado Rapids 2.
Last Match: 2-0 loss vs. North Texas SC
Next Match: vs. Colorado Rapids 2 on Sunday, May 12
8.) St. Louis CITY2
The good times continued for St. Louis CITY2 on Friday with Bobby Murphy's squad claiming another three points this spring.
A 2-1 road win MNUFC2 saw Wan Kuzain and Mykhi Joyner both find the back of the net as CITY2 extended their regulation unbeaten streak to six matches. Joyner, 17, has been a bright spot in the squad, delivering game-winning goals in back-to-back matchweeks. Defensively, CITY2 have been one of the best so far, conceding only six goals in seven matches.
Last Match: 2-1 win at MNUFC2
Next Match: vs. Austin FC II on Sunday, May 12
7.) Chicago Fire II
Chicago Fire II overturned a two-goal deficit on Saturday before eventually falling just short at Gillette Stadium.
A 3-2 road loss to New England Revolution II featured goals from Diego Konincks and Peter Soudan. The result was Chicago's first regulation loss of 2024, one that dropped them to fourth in the Eastern Conference standings.
Fire II have been one of the consistent teams in MLS NEXT Pro this season but will now aim for a bounce-back performance in Matchweek 9.
Last Match: 3-2 loss at New England Revolution II
Next Match: vs. NYCFC II on Monday, May 13
6.) New York Red Bulls II
Matchweek 8 featured a bounce-back victory for New York Red Bulls II, leapfrogging them to third in the Eastern Conference.
A 2-1 road win over Inter Miami II saw Red Bulls II fight back via goals from Ibrahim Kasule and Juan Gutierrez. Mohammed Sofo registered two assists in the result while Dylan Sullivan and Steven Sserwadda also impressed.
Red Bulls II's 17 goals scored now ranks them as No. 1 in the East as well.
Last Match: 2-1 win at Inter Miami II
Next Match: at Orlando City B on Wednesday, May 8
5.) North Texas SC
North Texas SC's regulation unbeaten streak continued on Sunday with John Gall's men shutting out Sporting KC II 2-0 away from home.
NTX used a brace from Malachi Molina to remain the only unbeaten team in MLS NEXT Pro, jumping to third place in the Western Conference. A strong defensive effort helped NTX as well, limiting one of the league's more potent attackers to only two shots on target through 90 minutes.
Another winnable road match comes in Matchweek 9 as NTX travels to The Town FC on Sunday.
Last Match: 2-0 win at Sporting KC II
Next Match: at The Town FC on Sunday, May 12
4.) Philadelphia Union II
Philadelphia Union II left it late against visiting Huntsville City FC but found a way to pick up three points at home.
C.J. Olney and Francis Westfield scored 10 minutes apart in the second half to help Union II earn a 2-0 win. After suffering a 3-1 road loss at FC Cincinnati 2 last week, Union II showed great resiliency to rebound on home soil.
19-year-old Sanders Ngabo also raised eyebrows with his performance, winning 13 duels, completing five dribbles, and making 17 recoveries from his midfield position.
Last Match: 2-0 win vs. Huntsville City FC
Next Match: at New England Revolution II on Sunday, May 19
3.) Chattanooga FC
Chattanooga FC remained top of the Eastern Conference after earning two points at home against Orlando City B.
Mehdi Ouamri found the back of the net in regulation before CFC went a perfect 5-for-5 from the spot in a shootout. CFC has continued to be one of the biggest surprises in MLS NEXT Pro this season and Saturday's shootout result was another example of that early-season success.
Last Match: 1-1, SOW vs. Orlando City B
Next Match: at Inter Miami II on Friday, May 10
2.) Ventura County FC
Ventura County FC was not in action during Matchweek 8's schedule but returns to action this coming weekend at MNUFC2.
VCFC have won each of their last two matches in shootouts, earning four points out of a possible six available. Their 16 goals scored are the second-most in the West while they have yet to lose on home soil.
Gino Vivi, Aaron Bibout, and Jonathan Perez have been the standout performers for VCFC so far this spring.
Last Match: Off
Next Match: at MNUFC2 on Sunday, May 12
1.) LAFC2
Three-straight wins for LAFC2 helped them jump to No. 1 in the newest MLS NEXT Pro Power Rankings.
Junior Gonzalez's squad edged Real Monarchs 3-2 in sloppy conditions on Sunday, using goals from three different players. Leo Flores, Adrian Wibowo, and Matthew Evans all celebrated goals while David Ochoa made four saves in net.
20-year-old Thomas Musto registered three assists from midfield, stealing the show with his playmaking abilities.
Last Match: 3-2 win at Real Monarchs
Next Match: vs. Whitecaps FC 2 on Sunday, May 12
