The race to be the last unbeaten in MLS NEXT Pro is open to 11 teams after the first two weeks.
Three teams remain perfect in the truest sense of the word in that battle. In the West, St Louis CITY2 and Houston Dynamo 2 have come out of the gate winning both of their games without conceding a goal. The same can be said for perennial Eastern Conference heavyweight Philadelphia Union II.
Here's a closer look at this week's refreshed Top 10 Power Rankings:
There's perfect, then there's perfect.
CITY2 have outscored opponents 7-0 through the first two rounds of play, only allowing four shots on goal. Star winger Mykhi Joyner, who is battling for first-team minutes, joined the fold in Sunday's win against MNUFC2. If he's going to be even a semi-regular in the CITY2 fold again this year, it's easy to see them duplicating the dominance they enjoyed last season.
Last match: 3-0 win vs. MNUFC2
Next match: at Ventura County FC on 3/15
Pacing the Eastern Conference, Crown Legacy FC comes off a whopping 7-2 win over Huntsville City FC on Friday, picking up their first Team of the Matchweek selection of the season. Topping the league with 11 goals scored and a humming attack boasting known commodities Nimfasha Berchimas and Rodolfo Aloko, this has all the makings of a fun team to keep an eye on.
Last match: 7-2 vs. Huntsville City FC
Next match: at Inter Miami II on 3/15
Like CITY2, Houston Dynamo 2 have been technically perfect so far this year, winning both of their first two outings and have yet to concede a goal.
Last week's 4-0 win over Tacoma Defiance was headlined by Dynamo Academy youngster Mattheo Dimareli's brace that earned him the Rising Star of the Matchweek honor.
Last match: 4-0 win vs. Tacoma Defiance
Next match: vs. Timbers2 on 3/15
The defending MLS NEXT Pro Cup champs continued their perfect start to the season with a dominant 3-0 win over Inter Miami II on Sunday.
Up next, a crosstown trip to Hudson River Derby rivals NYCFC II.
Last match: 3-0 win vs. Miami II
Next match: at NYCFC II on 3/15
Change is the only constant in this league, and this new-look Union II group has looked up to the task of maintaining their strong reputation in MLS NEXT Pro.
Winning both of their games 1-0, it looks like they're leaving it close. But, only allowing a total of four shots on goal in those 180-plus minutes shows that it isn't quite so.
Last match: 1-0 win vs. FC Cincinnati 2
Next match: vs. CT United on 3/15
A 5-0 win will always raise eyebrows around the league, and Real Monarchs jump into the top 10 with a hearty road win at Sporting KC II. Striker Marcos Zambrano led the way with a brace for the Monarchs' first win of the season.
Last match: 5-0 win at SKC II
Next match: vs. LAFC 2
Unbeaten to start the year, Ventura County FC showed grit in their 2-2 comeback and shootout win at Austin FC over the weekend.
LA Galaxy Academy midfielder Dylan Vanney, winner of the Rising Star honor in Matchweek 1, kickstarted VCFC's dramatic finish that keeps them in the early Western Conference elite.
Last match: 2-2 tie, SOW at Austin FC II
Next match: vs. St Louis CITY2 on 3/15
Unscathed through two, Timbers2 have put together a solid start to the season and will be one to watch when they head to Houston this week to take on fellow unbeaten Dynamo 2.
Last match: 0-0 tie, SOW vs. Whitecaps FC 2
Next match: at Houston Dynamo 2 on 3/15
José Silva's ATL UTD 2 are picked up a big win against independent side Carolina Core FC over the weekend, staying in the race to be the last unbeaten standing.
They have a couple of statement games coming up, though, hosting Huntsville City FC and traveling to Crown Legacy FC in their next two matches.
Last match: 2-1 win vs. Carolina Core FC
Next match: vs. Huntsville City FC 3/15
We might have a budding story here. Newcomer striker Edouard Nys picked up Player of Matchweek 2 honors for his hat trick that led to a 3-1 win over Colorado Rapids 2.
He also provided a goal in Matchweek 1 that was vital to salvaging a point. The same things 2025 MLS NEXT Pro MVP Sam Sarver did for NTSC over the last couple of seasons. If Nys is going to be a consistent scorer for this team, his star will rise quickly.
Last match: 3-1 win vs. Rapids 2
Next match: at Austin FC II on 3/15
