We're down to one last unbeaten in MLS NEXT Pro after a dramatic Matchweek 8.
Philadelphia Union II went toe-to-toe with Eastern Conference leader Chattanooga FC to keep their unbeaten streak alive in as wild of a nil-nil tie and 12-round shootout as you'll possibly see.
In the West, the Tacoma Defiance moved into the driver's seat with their thrid consecutive win to headline a slate of conference heavyweight matchups.
All to say, the Top 10 Power Rankings remain consistently inconsistent so far this year. Read more about Matchweek 8's power shift below.
Chattanooga FC continue to flex their top-of-the-table credentials.
This week, a stiff test against the last unbeaten, Philadelphia Union II, was taken into record territory with 12 shootout rounds after a scoreless tie. Their third clean sheet of the season is tied for second-best in the league.
The top spot in the rankings, and more importantly, Eastern Conference, looks like it’s theirs to maintain from here on out.
Last match: 0-0 tie, SOL vs. Union II
Next match: at Toronto FC II on Friday, May 9
Quietly on a five-game unbeaten run, Huntsville City FC are rolling as of late.
Their 18 goals scored and are the most in the Eastern Conference and are boosted by recent 5-0 and 4-0 wins, showing how dominant they can be when they’re at the peak of their powers.
Last match: 2-2 tie, SOL vs. Atlanta United 2
Next match: at Carolina Core FC on Saturday, May 10
Colorado Rapids 2 will look to shake off a tough loss on the road in Matchweek 8.
A bright spot, 2025 MLS SuperDraft selection Alex Harris has scored in back-to-back games. One of the exciting prospects in the Rapids pipeline, he made his MLS debut in March and should be one to watch in the weeks ahead.
Last match: 3-2 loss at LAFC 2
Next match: at Dynamo 2 on Friday, May 9
A successful start to May puts a winless April in the rearview for now.
It looks like the St Louis CITY2 lineup is shape shifting as well with 2024 leading scorter MyKhi Joyner up with the first team the last three weeks.
If so, and striker Emil Jääskeläinen can put up Player of the Matchweek quality performances like he did on Sunday, it’ll be a smooth transition.
Last match: 3-1 win vs. Houston Dynamo 2
Next match: at The Town FC on Sunday, May 11
A tough road trip to St Louis CITY2 wasn’t their best advertisement this year, but it doesn’t undo the quality Dynamo Dos have shown on the way to Matchweek 8.
With team captain and scoring leader Diego Gonzalez reported to be sidelined for an extended period with a leg injury, Marcelo Santos will need the youngest squad in the league to dig deep and find a new production leader in the coming weeks.
Last match: 3-1 loss st St Louis CITY2
Next match: vs Colorado Rapids 2 on Friday, May 9
Spoiling previously-unbeaten MNUFC2’s home opener was a sweet, sweet feeling for North Texas SC.
And having an FC Dallas Academy man provide the match-winner for the second time this season probably feels even better for head coach John Gall and Co.
The defending champs promoted a lot of talent to the first team ahead of 2025, but it looks like the groundswell of youth is starting to click as NTSC have shaken off a rough start to 2025, going unbeaten in five of their last six matches.
Last match: 1-0 win at MNUFC2
Next match: vs. Houston Dynamo 2 on Sunday, May 18
A three-game winning streak has propelled the Tacoma Defiance to the top of the Western Conference.
In their latest, reigning MLS NEXT Pro Player of the Month Osaze De Rosario was called up to the Seattle Sounders in MLS action but the Defiance didn’t skip a beat.
24-year-old Japanese striker Yu Tsukanome showed he can carry the goal-scoring weight with a brace, marking his third multi-goal game in all competitions this year.
A busy schedule awaits the Defiance in the week ahead, including a rare opportunity to square off with the Portland Timbers first team in U.S. Open Cup action, aiming for the greatest Cascadia Cupset of all time.
Last match: 2-1 win at Ventura County FC
Next match: vs Portland Timbers on Tuesday, May 6 (USOC)
Next league match: at Whitecaps FC 2 on Wednesday, May 14
The last unbeaten in the West fell for the first time on Friday.
A 1-0 loss to defending MLS NEXT Pro Cup champs is hardly a blemish on the resume, though. April Coach of the Month Jeremy Hall will regroup MNUFC2 for another match on the road, where they’ve been excellent so far this season.
Last match: 1-0 loss vs. North Texas SC
Next march: at Austin FC II on Friday, May 23
The last unbeaten in the league finally returns to the Top 10 Power Rankings, but why aren’t they higher?
A tough schedule to open the season has limited Union II to only two wins so far, but the fact that nobody’s been able to beat them in regulation shows they’re a favorite to return to the Eastern Conference Final stage once again in 2025.
This week, it was goalkeeper Andrew Rick leading the charge in a two-point outing. His four saves in regulation kept a clean sheet against Eastern Conference leader Chattanooga FC, and he put it all on display with three shootout saves for the extra point.
Last match: 0-0, SOW at Chattanooga FC
Next match: vs. Columbus Crew 2 on Sunday, May 11
A two-game unbeaten response to their first loss of the season, New York Red Bulls II are good for second place in the East.
Conceding two or more goals in their last five matches, head coach Ibrahim Sekagya will be looking for his side to get a little more stingy in the weeks to come.
Last match: 2-2 tie, shootout win vs. Carolina Core
Next match: at NYCFC II on Friday, May 9
