A familiar face led the MLS NEXT Pro Top 10 Power Rankings following Matchday 17 action this past weekend.
Colorado Rapids 2 reclaimed top spot in the weekly honors after a 4-1 road win over Real Monarchs on Friday. Crown Legacy FC’s 3-1 road loss to New England Revolution II didn’t help the expansion side as they dropped from No. 1 to No. 2 after only one week atop the list.
Revs II and Columbus Crew 2 traded spots in the Power Rankings while Orlando City B jumped back into the Top 10 after a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory on Sunday. Huntsville City FC’s 2-1 loss to TFC II unfortunately dropped them out of the Top 10 this week.
Here is a closer look at MLS NEXT Pro's Top 10 Power Rankings:
ATL UTD 2 remained in the Top 10 of the MLS NEXT Pro Power Rankings, but only barely after a shocking Matchday 17 loss.
Goals from Nicolas Firmino and Jackson Conway helped Steve Cooke’s squad take a 2-1 lead over Orlando City B on Sunday, but two late goals from the 10-men hosts ultimately condemned ATL UTD 2 to a 3-2 loss. The Eastern Conference club has suffered back-to-back losses in recent weeks and will have a crucial meeting with Huntsville City FC on July 23.
Last Match: 3-2 loss at Orlando City B
Next Match: vs. Huntsville City FC on Sunday, July 23
Whitecaps FC 2’s slide down the Power Rankings continued after a fourth loss out of their past five matches. A 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Timbers2 continued a worrying run of form for Whitecaps FC 2, who are now fifth in the West standings. It doesn’t get any easier for Ricardo Clark’s men, who begin a three-match road trip on July 30 against Tacoma Defiance before later trips to Colorado Rapids 2 and Houston Dynamo 2.
Last Match: 1-0 loss vs. Timbers2
Next Match: at Tacoma Defiance on Sunday, July 30
Two wins out of their last three matches have helped Orlando City B turn their form around and also sneak back into the Top 10. A dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over ATL UTD 2 on Sunday saw goals from Eduardo Acuna and Wilfredo Rivera saw Martin Perelman’s squad erase a one-goal deficit with 10-men. Another winnable home match comes on Sunday with Chicago Fire II making the trip to Osceola Heritage Park.
Last Match: 3-2 win vs. ATL UTD 2
Next Match: vs. Chicago Fire II on Sunday, July 23
New York Red Bulls II suffered back-to-back losses for the first time in 2023 after falling to Philadelphia Union II by a 2-1 scoreline on Sunday. However, Red Bulls II remain one of the more consistent teams in MLS NEXT Pro, which is why they didn’t move up or drop down in this week’s Power Rankings. Ibrahim Kasule has remained a key player for Red Bulls II, scoring his team-leading eighth goal in Sunday’s road defeat.
Last Match: 2-1 loss at Philadelphia Union II
Next Match: at FC Cincinnati 2 on Sunday. July 23
Columbus Crew 2 dropped in the Matchday 17 Power Rankings, but only due to their lack of involvement in the weekend’s action. Laurent Courtois’ men had a bye week this past weekend, while New England Revolution II earned a 3-1 win over East-leading Crown Legacy FC. Crew 2 returns to action at home on Monday against a Philadelphia Union II side that is flying with three victories out of their past four matches.
Last Match: Bye Week
Next Match: vs. Philadelphia Union II on Monday, July 24
New England Revolution II claimed their result of the season so far after defeating East-leading Crown Legacy FC 3-1 last week. Clint Peay’s squad moved three points back of the East leaders with the result, moving to 6-3-1 at Gillette Stadium this season. Revs II used goals from Marcos Dias, Jordan Adebayo-Smith, and Peyton Miller to claim all three points. Revs II have a bye week this weekend before traveling to Chicago Fire II on Matchday 19.
Last Match: 3-2 win vs. Crown Legacy FC
Next Match: at Chicago Fire II on Sunday, July 30
Although Tacoma Defiance didn’t extend its regulation winning streak to five matches on Sunday, they did extend their unbeaten run to seven matches. Wade Webber’s squad claimed one point on the road at LA Galaxy II on Sunday after the sides played out a 1-1 result through 90 minutes. The Defiance remained No. 4 in our rankings as they continue to be one of the toughest sides to defeat over recent weeks.
Last Match: 1-1, SOL at LA Galaxy II
Next Match: at LAFC2 on Sunday, July 23
Austin FC II’s bye week didn’t hurt their standing in the Power Rankings as Brett Uttley’s squad now face a crucial top-two clash this weekend. A trip to West-leading Colorado Rapids 2 will be key on whether or not ATX II can try and catch Rapids 2 for the top spot in the conference. Although Austin FC II have the best home record in the West this season, they rank ninth in road form, posting a 2-3-3 record away from Parmer Field.
Last Match: Bye Week
Next Match: at Colorado Rapids 2 on Sunday, July 23
Crown Legacy FC suffered their third loss of the 2023 season, which forced them to drop from the top spot in this week’s rankings. A 3-1 defeat at the hands of New England Revolution II not only allowed Rapids 2 to overtake them in the rankings, but also trimmed their lead to only three points for first place in the East. A home showdown with NYCFC II won’t be easy for Jose Tavares’ men, but they are the only MLS NEXT Pro side that has yet to lose in front of their supporters in 2023 (6-3-0 at home).
Last Match: 3-1 loss at New England Revolution II
Next Match: vs. NYCFC II on Sunday, July 23
Colorado Rapids 2 reclaimed its spot atop the Power Rankings after earning a third win out of their past four matches last Friday.
Three different players all found the back of the net in a 4-1 triumph over Real Monarchs before a Moses Nyeman own goal added insult to injury for the hosts. Rapids 2 face a busy week with their involvement in the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro Invitational coming up on Tuesday before a crucial home showdown with second-place Austin FC II on Sunday. Erik Bushey’s squad has relied on several key players including Yosuke Hanya (10 goals) and Oliver Larraz (five goals, six assists).
Last Match: 4-1 win at Real Monarchs
Next Match: vs. Austin FC II on Sunday, July 23
