Week 18 of the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro season saw a new (but familiar) face climb to the top of the power rankings with a newcomer climbing all the way into the No. 5 spot.
Let’s take a look at the rankings at the end of week 18.
NYCFC II have climbed back into the MLS NEXT Pro power rankings after a narrow, yet successful, 2-2 draw against Inter Miami II where they took the additional point afterward in kicks from the spot. The two-point matchday has them sitting second overall in the East and sixth overall across the league-wide standings.
Goalkeeper Luis Barazza put on a show in kicks from the spot in Week 18, making two saves and then converting the winning shot from the spot.
Previous ranking: Not ranked
Next match: at Columbus Crew 2, August 7
Houston Dynamo 2 knocked off Minnesota United 2 in Week 18, keeping a clean sheet and scoring once in their 1-0 victory over the Loons. The winner came in first-half stoppage time from Jathan Juarez after Minnesota failed to clear the ball out of danger in their own half, with Juarez spinning and shooting from the top of the box.
Dynamo Dos have now gone five matches unbeaten and sit third overall in the West and fourth overall across the league-wide standings. They’re the only team left boasting a perfect home record at 7-0.
Previous ranking: 5
Next match: at Vancouver Whitecaps 2, July 29
CITY2 took all three points in Week 18, blanking North Texas SC 2-0 in Roman Burki’s debut for the club. The Swiss international goalkeeper signed a pre-contract deal in March from Borussia Dortmund but didn’t join the club until the completion of the European season at the end of June. The match saw Vitor Dias open the scoring midway through the first half from the penalty spot, followed by a golazo from outside the box by Wan Kuzain in the 70th minute.
CITY2 has won two straight matches and is now just two points out of the No. 1 ranking spot across the league. They occupy the third overall slot at the end of Week 18 with 36 points.
Previous ranking: 3
Next match: at Tacoma Defiance, July 30
Defiance earned three points on the road in Week 18, shutting out Sporting KC II 3-0 on the heels of a Marlon Vargas brace. Vargas scored his 10th and 11th goals of the campaign en route to the victory.
Defiance are now unbeaten across all of July, going 3-0 and outsourcing their opponents 12-4 in the process. One of the hottest teams in recent weekend, Defiance sit second overall across the league rankings and are one point behind Crew 2.
Previous ranking: 1
Next Match: vs St Louis CITY2, July 30
Crew 2 have jumped back to the top of the MLS NEXT Pro power rankings after a dominant 4-1 win over New England Revolution II in Week 18. Midfielder Michael Vang scored twice to help the boys in yellow reach seven matches unbeaten and their second straight win.
Crew 2 still sit atop the overall points table across MLS NEXT Pro with 38 points, averaging 2.38 points per game this season. With a narrow one-point lead over second-place Defiance, the final stretch of the season will be telling as to who ends up on top.
Previous ranking: 2
Next Match: at Philadelphia Union II, July 31
