A total of four MLS NEXT Pro sides moved up in the Matchday 13 Power Rankings, while one team entered the Top 10 for the first team in 2023.
Columbus Crew 2, Orlando City B, New York Red Bulls II, and Whitecaps FC 2 all shifted upwards while Chicago Fire II cracked the Top 10 after their latest impressive victory. Colorado Rapids 2’s first loss of the season has Crown Legacy FC and Austin FC II right behind them for the top spot.
Here is a closer look at MLS NEXT Pro's Top 10 Power Rankings:
Back-to-back victories and a four-match unbeaten streak in regulation has propelled Chicago Fire II into the Top 10 for the first time this MLS NEXT Pro season. Victor Bezerra and Sergio Oregel both registered braces in a 5-2 victory over Philadelphia Union II, moving Ludovic Talliander’s squad up to eighth place in the Eastern Conference. Fire II also defeated Orlando City B 1-0 earlier in the midweek schedule.
A tough trip to Crown Legacy FC is next on the cards for Fire II on Matchday 14.
Last Match: 1-0 win vs. Orlando City B, 5-2 win at Philadelphia Union II.
Next Match: at Crown Legacy FC on Sunday, June 25.
Whitecaps FC 2 claimed three points out of a possible six during a busy week of league play, defeating Real Monarchs 1-0 before falling 2-0 to MNUFC2 on Sunday night. Ricardo Clark’s squad still remains one of the Western Conference clubs chasing Colorado Rapids 2 and Austin FC II in the league standings. Up next is a Thursday night showdown against struggling LAFC2.
Last Match: 1-0 win vs. Real Monarchs, 2-0 loss at MNUFC2
Next Match: vs. LAFC2 on Thursday, June 22.
New England Revolution II also alternated results during a busy Matchday 13, defeating NYCFC II 1-0 before falling 2-1 at FC Cincinnati 2 on Sunday. Clint Peay’s squad have lost two straight away from Gillette Stadium, but haven’t lost at home in regulation since April 21. Jordan Adebayo-Smith leads the team with six goals now after finding the back of the net on Sunday.
Last Match: 1-0 win vs. NYCFC II, 2-1 loss at FC Cincinnati 2
Next Match: vs. TFC II on Friday, June 23
Houston Dynamo 2 dropped in the Top 10 rankings after suffering a 2-1 home loss vs. Timbers2. Kenny Bundy’s squad were off at the weekend, but saw their five-match unbeaten run come to an end on home soil. A Matchday 14 clash with Earthquakes II is vastly approaching before Dynamo Dos hits the road for tough matches against Tacoma Defiance and Austin FC II.
Last Match: 2-1 loss vs. Timbers2
Next Match: vs. Earthquakes II on Sunday, June 25.
Not many teams have taken points from Crown Legacy FC in 2023, but New York Red Bulls II were one of them during Matchday 13 action. Despite falling 6-5 in a shootout on Sunday, Red Bulls II did earn one point from their trip to North Carolina, staying in the top five of the Eastern Conference. Their 16 goals conceded ranks as the second-fewest in the East, trailing only Crown Legacy FC who leads the conference.
Last Match: 1-1, SOL at Crown Legacy FC
Next Match: vs. FC Cincinnati 2 on Sunday, June 25.
Orlando City B suffered a 1-0 midweek loss to Chicago Fire II, but were not in action during the weekend schedule. Martin Perelman’s squad currently sit in the top four in the East standings after earning three wins from their last five matches overall. OCB remain off for Matchday 14 before hosting Philadelphia Union II on June 28.
Last Match: 1-0 loss to Chicago Fire II.
Next Match: vs. Philadelphia Union II on Wednesday, June 28.
Columbus Crew 2’s positive week helped them move up to No. 4 in this week’s Power Rankings. A 6-5 shootout win over ATL UTD 2 paired with a 3-2 road victory over NYCFC II have Laurent Courtois’ men sitting second in the East, just four points back of Crown Legacy FC. Noah Fuson scored twice in Sunday’s win while Gibran Rayo scored for the second-consecutive match.
Last Match: 2-2, SOW vs. ATL UTD 2, 3-2 win at NYCFC II.
Next Match: vs. Huntsville City FC on Sunday, June 25.
Austin FC II are clawing their way back towards the top of the Western Conference after extending their winning streak to four matches during the Matchday 13 slate. A 1-0 road victory against St. Louis CITY2 was followed up by a 4-0 home victory over Timbers2. Four different players celebrated goals over the past week, including Sebastien Pineau who netted his first two goals of 2023.
Last Match: 1-0 win at St. Louis CITY2, 4-0 win vs. Timbers2.
Next Match: at Tacoma Defiance on Sunday, June 25.
Crown Legacy FC remained in the Top Two after earning five points out of a possible six during Matchday 13. A 2-0 midweek road win over Philadelphia Union II was followed up by a 6-5 shootout result over New York Red Bulls II on Sunday. Vinicius Mello’s equalizer in the 100th minute forced the shootout before Jose Tavares’ squad went perfect from the spot. Crown Legacy FC have only lost twice in regulation through 14 matches so far.
Last Match: 2-0 win at Philadelphia Union II, 1-1, SOW vs. New York Red Bulls II.
Next Match: vs. Chicago Fire II on Sunday, June 25.
The historic run for Colorado Rapids 2 ended on Sunday following a 2-1 home loss to Tacoma Defiance.
Despite Erik Bushey’s squad’s best efforts, Rapids 2 fell 2-1 at home and will now aim for an immediate bounce-back result on Matchday 14. Rapids 2’s first loss paired with Crown Legacy FC and Austin FC II’s continued improvement in their matches have all three clubs sitting closely in the Top Three of the Power Rankings. Rapids 2 still possess one of the best offensive and defensive units in MLS NEXT Pro and will be a tough side to keep down for long.
Last Match: 2-1 loss vs. Tacoma Defiance.
Next Match: vs. LA Galaxy II on Sunday, June 25.
