A total of three MLS NEXT Pro sides moved up in the Matchday 14 Power Rankings, while several others fell from their respective places.
New England Revolution II, Tacoma Defiance, and ATL UTD 2 were the three teams to move upward in this week’s Power Rankings after continuing their positive runs in their respective conferences. Tacoma Defiance earned the biggest jump after leapfrogging several clubs from outside of the Top 10 to No. 7.
Colorado Rapids 2, Crown Legacy FC, and Austin FC II remained in the Top Three while Columbus Crew 2 isn’t far off in No. 4.
Here is a closer look at MLS NEXT Pro's Top 10 Power Rankings:
Back-to-back losses for Whitecaps FC 2 have dropped them to No. 10 in the MLS NEXT Pro Matchday 14 Power Rankings. A disappointing 3-1 home loss to LAFC2 will surely put pressure on Ricardo Clark’s men to turn things around this coming weekend.
Although Whitecaps FC 2 remain one of the top-scoring teams in the Western Conference, their 23 goals conceded are also the most by any team in the top six.
Last Match: 3-1 loss vs. LAFC2
Next Match: at Sporting KC II on Sunday, July 2
ATL UTD 2’s dynamic attack was on display this past weekend with Steve Cooke’s squad earning a 4-2 home victory over NYCFC II. Jackson Conway and Aidan McFadden both scored before Nicolas Firmino’s brace sealed a comeback win at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. Firmino has remained the star man for ATL UTD 2 and will surely have added confidence after scoring for the Five Stripes’ first team weekday match as well.
Last Match: 4-2 win vs. NYCFC II
Next Match: at Crown Legacy FC on Sunday, July 9.
A pair of disappointing home defeats to Timbers2 and Earthquakes II have dropped Houston Dynamo 2 to No. 8 in the Power Rankings. Kenny Bundy’s squad started to show some consistency in recent weeks, but two-straight losses have also plummeted them to tenth place in the West standings. A tough trip to face the Tacoma Defiance comes Dynamo Dos’ way on Sunday before a Texas Derby at Austin FC II.
Last Match: 2-1 loss vs. Earthquakes II
Next Match: at Tacoma Defiance on Sunday, July 2
Wade Webber’s Tacoma Defiance not only handed Colorado Rapids 2 their first loss of 2023 but they also followed that up with a 1-0 victory over Austin FC II on Matchday 14. Braudilio Rodrigues’ seventh goal of the season was all the Defiance needed to pick up a second-consecutive statement win in recent weeks. After earning points in each of their last four matches, the Defiance are flying high in the West.
Last Match: 1-0 win vs. Austin FC II
Next Match: vs. Houston Dynamo 2 on Sunday, July 2
New York Red Bulls II not only remained in the Eastern Conference top-four, but also stayed No. 6 in the MLS NEXT Pro Power Rankings. A 3-1 home triumph against FC Cincinnati 2 gave Red Bulls II a fourth-straight win at MSU Soccer Park this season. Ibrahim Kasule has continued to become a key contributor for the club, leading Red Bulls II with five goals in 2023.
Last Match: 3-1 win vs. FC Cincinnati 2
Next Match: at Inter Miami II on Sunday, July 2
New England Revolution II remained perfect in shootouts this MLS NEXT Pro season after defeating TFC II 4-2 on Sunday. Clint Peay’s squad sits third in the Eastern Conference and is 3-0 in shootouts this season. Jordan Adebayo-Smith has continued to be a leader for Revs II, contributing seven goals so far in 2023. A two-match roadtrip for Revs II starts on Matchday 15 at Huntsville City FC.
Last Match: 1-1, SOW vs. TFC II
Next Match: at Huntsville City FC on Sunday, July 2
Columbus Crew 2’s latest league victory has Laurent Courtois’ squad on the heels of Crown Legacy FC in the Eastern Conference. Coleman Gannon played the hero on Sunday, scoring the winning goal in a 1-0 home triumph over Huntsville City FC. Crew 2 have earned points in each of their last four league matches, including defeating Crown Legacy FC and NYCFC II over that span.
Last Match: 1-0 win vs. Huntsville City FC.
Next Match: at Chicago Fire II on Sunday, July 2
Austin FC II’s 1-0 hiccup against Tacoma Defiance ended the Western Conference club’s four-match winning run on Sunday. However, Brett Uttley’s squad still remains a top contender in the Western Conference. Austin FC II have scored nine goals in their last five matches while conceding just one over that span. Winnable matches against Real Monarchs and Houston Dynamo 2 are up next for Austin FC II before a trip to Colorado Rapids 2 on July 23.
Last Match: 1-0 loss at Tacoma Defiance.
Next Match: at Real Monarchs on Friday, June 30
Crown Legacy FC remained in the Top Two after overcoming an early deficit vs. Chicago Fire II before earning a 4-2 victory. José Tavares’ men have continued to click this summer, leading the East by four points over Columbus Crew 2. Vinicius Mello has scored in three-straight appearances while Patrick Agyemang has four goals in his last four matches. Crown Legacy FC hits the road on Matchday 15 for a Friday night showdown with TFC II.
Last Match: 4-2 win vs. Chicago Fire II
Next Match: at TFC II on Friday, June 30
Colorado Rapids 2’s historic run ended on Matchday 13 but Erik Bushey’s squad showed a short memory this past weekend.
A 5-1 victory over LA Galaxy II helped Rapids 2 rebound nicely from their first loss of 2023. Calvin Harris led the way with a brace while Oliver Larraz also delivered a strong performance with a goal of his own. A crucial three-match road trip starts on Sunday against St. Louis CITY2, conveniently the only team that has not conceded against Rapids 2 in regulation this season.
Last Match: 5-1 win vs. LA Galaxy II
Next Match: at St. Louis CITY2 on Sunday, July 2
