With three weeks left of the regular season, only seven of an eventual 16 playoff spots have been claimed.
Most teams find themselves up against a string of must-win matches to close out the season, giving each game a bit of a playoff atmosphere from coast to coast.
Four sides were able to clinch their playoff spots in Matchweek 27, and the week ahead promises to deliver more special moments as clubs work to be the next piece to fall into place.
Read more about the latest Top 10 Power Rankings below.
The beauty of St Louis CITY2’s last two games, both 1-1 ties with a shootout win and loss, is in the eye of the beholder, courtesy of the lofty standard they’ve set for themselves.
At any rate, though, their historic unbeaten run is now at 16 games, and they have more than enough time in the remaining weeks to get back in the win column.
Last match: 1-1 tie, SOW vs. MNUFC2
Next match: at Austin FC II on Friday, 9/19
A bittersweet week for The Town FC.
The bitter: It’s a four-game winless run with two losses.
The sweet: TTFC benefitted from results elsewhere to clinch their return to the MLS NEXT Pro Cup playoffs.
With four to go, can they show some of the stuff that saw them put together a seven-game winning streak before this recent skid?
Last match: 3-1 loss at Whitecaps FC 2
Next match: at Ventura County FC on Sunday, 9/21
A huge road win at Huntsville City FC makes it a three-game winning streak for Michael Bradley’s New York Red Bulls II.
On paper, it’s the toughest test they had left in the regular season, too. They’ll want to avoid a trap game result as they work to clinch the top seed in the East.
Last match: 3-2 win at Huntsville City FC
Next match: vs. Inter Miami II on Sunday, 9/21
Back-to-back wins for Philadelphia Union II puts a recent four-game winless skid in the rearview.
Is it a matter of the defending Eastern Conference champs getting back to the peak of their powers at the right time?
Their final three matches could all be playoff previews.
Last match: 3-1 win at Columbus Crew 2
Next match: vs. Chicago Fire II on Sunday, 9/21
A double matchweek proved to be a rollercoaster for Chicago Fire FC II.
Starting with a 2-1 win over FC Cincinnati 2 that clinched a playoff spot, things were set for cruise control until Sunday night’s 5-4 loss to NYCFC II became a rock fight.
Scoring six goals in the week is a great sign, though, with respective stories in striker Jason Shokalook’s hat trick in the latter match and 2024 MLS NEXT Pro MVP David Poreba scoring in back-to-back matches in his long-awaited return from an ACL injury that sidelined him in February.
Last match: 5-4 loss vs. NYCFC II
Next match: at Philadelphia Union II on Sunday, 9/21
A six-game unbeaten run, boasting four wins, made for more than enough for New England Revolution II to secure their return to the playoffs.
Add in a little history with star playmaker Marcos Dias breaking the league’s single-season assist record, there’s a lot to like about this side, especially if they maintain this form through Decision Day.
Last match: 2-1 win vs. Toronto FC II
Next match: at NYCFC II on Thursday, 9/18
Chattanooga FC did their part to earn their first MLS NEXT Pro playoff clinch, but didn’t get any luck with results elsewhere to lock it in.
Their 4-2 comeback on the road against Crown Legacy FC just might’ve been their biggest statement of the year so far, which breeds some great momentum as they close out the year with big stakes in each upcoming result.
Last match: 4-2 win at Crown Legacy FC
Next match: at Carolina Core FC on Sunday, 9/21
Colorado Rapids 2 probably would’ve preferred to celebrate clinching their return to the playoffs with a win, but had to settle for favors elsewhere.
A 1-0 loss via own goal against Dynamo Dos was a brutal way to end an eight-game unbeaten streak.
Still working on securing a host seed, they close the year with two home and roach matches each.
Last match: 1-0 loss vs. Houston Dynamo 2
Next match: at Tacoma Defiance on Sunday, 9/21
Another week, another chance to clinch a playoff berth squandered for Huntsville City FC.
Fortunately, they’ll likely still be a win-and-in scenario in Matchweek 28, and HCFC fans can put this thing to rest.
Another shove in the wrong direction, though, may open the door for it to come down to the wire.
Last match: 3-2 loss vs. RBNY II
Next match: at Orlando City B on Sunday, 9/21
At this stage of the year, most teams would take a point on the road in St. Louis.
There was no harm done in MNUFC2’s tie and shootout loss to CITY2 over the weekend, but it probably didn’t move them as far up in the Western Conference playoff picture as they’d like.
They’re one to watch in the remaining weeks.
Last match: 1-1 tie, SOL at St Louis CITY2
Next match: vs. North Texas SC on Sunday 9/21
