The first MLS NEXT Pro weekend action of August saw several moving and shaking in the Matchday 20 Power Rankings.
Colorado Rapids 2 leapfrogged Austin FC II into second place in the rankings while Columbus Crew 2 enjoyed a large move up to No. 4. Austin FC II remained in the Top Three despite falling from its No. 2 spot from last week.
Tacoma Defiance and Sporting KC II were among the clubs to take a dip this week after weekend performances.
Here is a closer look at MLS NEXT Pro's Top 10 Power Rankings:
Friday marked a third-straight victory for Philadelphia Union II, who remained in the Top 10 because of it.
A 2-0 home triumph over NYCFC II continued a positive run of form for Marlon LeBlanc’s squad, who remained well in the race for a playoff spot. Francis Westfield and David Vazquez both found the back of the net while goalkeeper Andrew Rick registered a clean sheet in the process. Union II haven’t lost in regulation over their last six matches, which now includes two wins over NYCFC II during that streak.
Last Match: 2-0 win vs. NYCFC II
Next Match: vs. FC Cincinnati 2 on Sunday, August 13
Orlando City B missed the chance at a full three points on Saturday against rivals Inter Miami II, but did remain in No. 9 spot after rebounding from an earlier loss in the week.
Nabi Kibunguchy’s second-half equalizer proved important for OCB, who fought back for a 1-1 scoreline before falling 5-3 in a shootout. Martin Perelman’s squad remains four points out of the top four in the East, but has two important matches coming up this week against fellow playoff contenders.
Last Match: 1-1, SOL at Inter Miami II
Next Match: vs. New England Revolution II on Wednesday, August 9.
Sporting KC II’s winning run came to an end on Sunday after falling 3-1 at Houston Dynamo 2. The result also dropped Benny Feilhaber’s squad into the No. 8 spot in this week’s rankings despite a recent turnaround in form. Papa Ndoye’s hat trick succumbed SKC II to their first regulation loss since July 9, but fortunately for SKC II, they stayed in the top-four of the West standings.
Last Match: 3-1 loss at Houston Dynamo 2
Next Match: at Tacoma Defiance on Wednesday, August 9.
New York Red Bulls II enjoyed a slight move upward in the MLS NEXT Pro Power Rankings after walking away with two points on Sunday against New England Revolution II. O’Vonte Mullings’ 95th minute equalizer helped force a shootout at Gillette Stadium before Red Bulls II edged Revs II 4-3. Red Bulls II have earned two points or more in each of their last three matches, which has helped them remain above the red line in the East table.
Last Match: 1-1, SOW at New England Revolution II
Next Match: vs. TFC II on Wednesday, August 9
Tacoma Defiance didn’t walk away with a full three points at Timbers2 on Saturday, but did claim two points on the road. A 4-2 shootout win over Timbers2 helped Wade Webber’s squad remain in the Top 10 of the Power Rankings. Abdoulaye Cissoko’s Man of the Match performance helped lead the way to two points, which kept Defiance third in the West standings. Although the Defiance have two matches coming up, they will be at Starfire Sports Complex for both.
Last Match: 1-1, SOW at Timbers2
Next Match: vs. Sporting KC II on Wednesday, August 9
New England Revolution’s regulation unbeaten run was extended to six matches on Sunday, despite dropping two points at home in a shootout loss to New York Red Bulls II. Clint Peay’s men fell 4-3 at Gillette Stadium in the shootout despite Jordan Adebayo-Smith netting his ninth goal of the campaign. A busy week features a trip to Orlando City B on Wednesday before a home showdown with ATL UTD 2 on Sunday.
Last Match: 1-1, SOL vs. New York Red Bulls II
Next Match: at Orlando City B on Wednesday, August 9
Columbus Crew 2 registered back-to-back shutout wins on Thursday for the first time since mid-May, helping them move to No. 4 in the Power Rankings. Laurent Courtois’ men blanked TFC II 4-0 with Marco Micaletto scoring twice and Mataeo Bunbury and Coleman Gannon also finding the back of the net. Crew 2 are seven points back of East-leading Crown Legacy FC, but could trim the gap with matches coming thick and fast over the next few weeks.
Last Match: 4-0 win vs. TFC II
Next Match: at Huntsville City FC on Wednesday, August 9
Austin FC earned points for the five-straight match on Sunday, but an unconvincing performance against LAFC2 cost Brett Uttley’s squad their spot in the Top Two. ATX II were able to claw out a 4-3 shootout result in California despite playing against only 10-men for 60+ minutes of the match. A three-match road trip continues on Saturday with a trip to surging Earthquakes II as ATX II will hope to deliver a much better performance.
Last Match: 0-0, SOW at LAFC2
Next Match: at Earthquakes II on Saturday, August 12
Colorado Rapids 2 showed a short memory on Matchday 20 by putting six goals past Whitecaps FC 2 on Saturday. Erik Bushey’s squad were shutout on Matchday 19 by SKC II, but rebounded strongly with a terrific all-around performance on home soil. Remi Cabral and Darren Yapi both registered braces while Oliver Larraz and Marlon Vargas also contributed goals of their own. Adding Yapi to an already-talented attack could prove important if Rapids 2 want to seal the No. 1 seed in the West.
Last Match: 6-2 win vs. Whitecaps FC 2
Next Match: vs. Houston Dynamo 2 on Wednesday, August 9
Crown Legacy FC had a bye week on Matchday 20 which didn’t hurt them in the Power Rankings. Jose Tavares’ men have won two-straight matches and five of their last six overall heading a busy week with two matches in quick succession. The scoring depth of the Crown Legacy FC squad has certainly played a key role this season, with four players contributing five goals or more. Patrick Agyemang leads the way with nine goals of his own.
Last Match: Bye Week
Next Match: at ATL UTD 2 on Wednesday, August 9
