Following a Week 24 performance that saw them clinch the Eastern Conference, Columbus Crew 2 maintained their spot atop this week's power rankings. However, spots 2-5 have switched up a bit following some surprising performances across the league in Week 24.
Here’s a look at the Week 24 MLS NEXT Pro power rankings.
CITY2 find themselves in the No. 5 spot of the Week 24 rankings following a disappointing 1-0 loss to Houston Dynamo 2. The two Western Conference heavyweights went head-to-head, but Mujeeb Murana’s 59th-minute goal sealed the fixture.
CITY2 still sit atop the Western Conference despite the loss, but the gap has narrowed to just two points between them and Dynamo Dos.
A near clean sweep of the MLS NEXT Pro August awards has the team in high spirits, with Joao Klauss, John Hackworth and the team themselves earning their respective awards.
Previous ranking: 2
Next match: at North Texas SC, September 11
TFC II moved up one spot in this week’s rankings following a dominant performance against playoff hopefuls Inter Miami II, winning 4-1 on the road at DRV PNK Stadium. They bounced back from a Week 23 performance that saw them fall to Chicago Fire II 2-1.
The win over Inter Miami II highlighted a stretch that has seen them go unbeaten over 11 of their last 12 matches.
With three matches to go and a game-in-hand, TFC II has a chance to secure its place in the 2022 MLS NEXT Pro playoffs over the final stretch of the season.
Previous ranking: 5
Next match: vs RNY FC, September 11
Dynamo Dos climb one spot in this week’s rankings following a spectacular 1-0 win over CITY2. The victory saw them close the gap to two points in the race for the Western Conference and Frontier Division as the final two weeks of the regular season close in on us.
Mujeeb Murana’s 59th-minute goal saw them clinch a spot in the 2022 MLS NEXT Pro playoffs while knocking off a Western Conference contender in a notable fashion.
Previous ranking: 4
Next match: at Colorado Rapids 2, September 11
Defiance climbed one spot in this week’s rankings following a bye in Week 24. Despite falling in Week 23 to Real Monarchs, Wade Webber’s side has expressed consistency in all categories on the pitch, which sees them make the jump.
Having already clinched a spot in the 2022 MLS NEXT Pro playoffs and the Pacific Division, Defiance will now make one last push for the No. 1 overall seed in the postseason. They sit two points out from behind CITY2.
Previous ranking: 3
Next match: at Whitecaps FC 2, September 9
Crew 2 clinched the No. 1 overall spot in the Eastern Conference following a dominant display in Week 24 where they knocked off Chicago Fire II 3-1. They are the only team across the league to maintain their spot in the Week 24 power rankings, as well.
Star striker Jacen Russell-Rowe has also extended his lead in the race for the MLS NEXT Pro Golden Boot with 17 goals to his name now. Russell-Rowe scored the second goal for Crew2 in their Week 24 match from the penalty spot.
Previous ranking: 1
Next match: Inter Miami II, September 11
