The top two of the MLS NEXT Pro Matchday 9 Power Rankings remained the same, but there was countless shuffling elsewhere in the Top 10 following the latest weekend of league action.
Columbus Crew 2 moved into the Top 3 , leapfrogging Austin FC II and rising up the rankings for the second-consecutive week. Austin FC II dropped to No. 4 following a 1-0 home loss to Earthquakes II while Whitecaps FC 2 replaced Tacoma Defiance in the No. 5 spot.
New York Red Bulls II jumped into the Top 10 following their shutout win over Inter Miami II. MNUFC2 fell out of the Top 10 despite not featuring in Matchday 9.
Here is a closer look at MLS NEXT Pro's Top 10 Power Rankings:
Sporting KC II remained in the Top 10 this week after earning one point in a 5-4 shootout defeat to St. Louis CITY2. Benny Feilhaber’s squad have earned points in each of their last three matches, despite coughing up a two-goal lead in Sunday’s road result.
Last Match: 2-2, SOL at St. Louis CITY2
Next Match: vs. ReaI Monarchs on Friday, May 26
Shutout victories have been the story of New York Red Bulls II’s schedule throughout this spring. Ibrahim Sekagya’s squad earned their second-straight win on Sunday and their fourth overall in the past six matches, moving to fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Despite scoring just nine goals through nine matches, Red Bulls II have conceded the second-fewest goals (7) in the East so far.
Last Match: 1-0 win vs. Inter Miami II
Next Match: at Huntsville City FC on Friday, May 26
Orlando City B slid to No. 8 in the latest Power Rankings after a 5-4 shootout loss to ATL UTD 2 last Friday. Martin Perelman’s squad have failed to win any of their last three matches, despite fighting back on home soil in Matchday 9 action. A in-state showdown with Inter Miami II now looms for OCB on Thursday.
Last Match: 2-2, SOL vs ATL UTD 2
Next Match: at Inter Miami II on Thursday, May 25
Are New England Revolution II the new comeback kids of MLS NEXT Pro? Clint Peay’s squad fought back on the road for the second-consecutive week, downing Philadelphia Union II 4-3 on Sunday. Esmir Bajraktarevic’s hat trick paired with Marcos Dias’ tally helped Revs II overturn a 3-1 second-half deficit. Revs II’s second-straight victory also moved them to third in the Eastern Conference.
Last Match: 4-3 win at Philadelphia Union II
Next Match: vs. Columbus Crew 2 on Thursday, May 25
Tacoma Defiance fell to No. 6 in the Power Rankings after their four-match unbeaten run came to an end on Sunday. Wade Webber’s squad were held goalless for the first time in 2023, falling 1-0 on the road to Whitecaps FC 2. The Defiance also witnessed Whitecaps FC 2 leapfrog them in the Western Conference table, suffering their second regulation loss through eight matches played.
Last Match: 1-0 loss at Whitecaps FC 2
Next Match: vs. LAFC II on Friday, May 26
It was a good week for Whitecaps FC 2 who not only leapfrogged Tacoma Defiance in the Western Conference standings, but did the same in the Matchday 9 Power Rankings. Ricardo Clark’s squad became the first team to shutout the Defiance in 2023, earning their fourth victory out of the past seven matches. A two-match roadtrip starts on Thursday in San Jose.
Last Match: 1-0 win vs. Tacoma Defiance
Next Match: at Earthquakes II on Thursday, May 25
Austin FC II failed to score at Parmer Field for the first time this season in a 1-0 defeat to Earthquakes II, a result which dropped Brett Uttley’s squad to No. 4 in the newest Power Rankings. Back-to-back shutout losses to Colorado Rapids 2 and Earthquakes II have not only led to Austin FC II’s drop in the rankings, but have allowed others in the West (Whitecaps FC 2) to close the gap to two points behind them.
Last Match: 1-0 loss vs. Earthquakes II
Next Match: at Houston Dynamo 2 on Sunday, May 28
Columbus Crew 2 are brimming with confidence right now following a fourth-consecutive victory this spring. Laurent Courtois’ squad defeated in-state rivals FC Cincinnati 2 by a 1-0 scoreline on Sunday, using a first MLS NEXT Pro goal from Taha Habroune to do so. Crew 2 have registered clean sheets in each of their last three matches and will aim to continue that run on Thursday in Foxborough.
Last Match: 1-0 win at FC Cincinnati 2
Next Match: at New England Revolution II on Thursday, May 25
Crown Legacy FC’s unbeaten run to start life in MLS NEXT Pro was ended on Friday following a 2-1 road loss to Huntsville City FC. However, the expansion side’s first defeat wasn’t going to drop them from the No. 2 spot in the Power Rankings, thanks to a superb run of form over the past few months. Crown Legacy FC still leads the Eastern Conference table and returns home for a midweek clash with Philadelphia Union II on Wednesday.
Last Match: 2-1 loss at Huntsville City FC
Next Match: vs Philadelphia Union II on Wednesday, May 24
Colorado Rapids 2 heads into Matchday 10 as the only unbeaten side left in MLS NEXT Pro so far this season.
Erik Bushey’s squad enjoyed a bye week on Matchday 9, but will get back to action midweek with a trip to North Texas SC on Thursday. Rapids 2 still possess one of the top offensive units in the league (20 goals scored), as well as one of the stingiest defenses (six goals scored). Yosuke Hanya also leads the Golden Boot race with seven goals in seven matches in 2023.
Last Match: Bye Week on Matchday 9
Next Match: at North Texas SC on Thursday, May 25
