The final two months of the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro season are shaping up to be a wild ride, with several teams fighting to lock down a playoff spot.
Chattanooga FC continues to make their case as the top team in the Eastern Conference, while St Louis CITY2 re-enters the rankings after finding their rhythm once again.
Let’s check out the rest of the Top 10 Power Rankings for Matchweek 23:
Austin FC II became the first team to clinch a spot in the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs, thanks to an 89th-minute goal from Ibrahima Sall that secured the dub at home.
ATX II's Goalkeeper Erik Lauta came up big on the other end, making four key saves while helping Austin FC II build out from the back with strong distribution numbers.
Up next, they’ll face a Whitecaps FC 2 side they defeated by 4-0 on the road just a few weeks ago.
Last match: 1-0 win vs. Sporting KC II
Next match: vs. Whitecaps FC on 08/15
Houston Dynamo 2 bounced back from its Matchweek 22 loss with a convincing 3-0 result against Real Monarchs, keeping their second place in the rankings.
An early red card for the visitors allowed Dynamo 2 to take control of the match, with Reese Miller and Mattheo Dimareli scoring back-to-back goals in the first half.
Jahmani Bell came off the bench in the second half and locked up all three points with his fifth goal of the season in the 83rd minute.
Their game against Ventura County FC this week has all the makings of one of the best matches of Matchweek 23.
Last match: 3-0 win vs. Real Monarchs
Next match: vs. Ventura County FC on 08/14
Crown Legacy FC made it four wins in a row this past weekend with a 2-0 victory against Inter Miami II.
Andrej Subotic opened the scoring for CLFC right before halftime, and Willian Sangoquiza added his first goal of the season in the 66th minute to seal the win.
A positive result in their midweek matchup against Huntsville City FC could see CLFC get closer to becoming the first team in the East to clinch a playoff spot.
Last match: 2-0 win at Inter Miami IIÂ
Next match: at Huntsville City FC on 08/08
Chattanooga FC is riding high after earning their third win in a row.Â
CFC kept a second consecutive clean sheet in their 1-0 victory against Atlanta United 2, with Alex Krehl scoring the lone goal of the match.
Krehl’s finish gave the 23-year-old 13 goals on the season, breaking Chattanooga FC’s single-season scoring record since joining MLS NEXT Pro.
A trip to Canada to face TFC II is up next, where Richard Dixo's men will look to make it four wins in a row and eleven unbeaten.
Last match: 1-0 win vs. Atlanta United 2
Next match: at TFC II on 08/14
Timbers2 kept its unbeaten streak intact and earned two points at home against LAFC2 over the weekend.
T2 struggled to break down the LAFC2 backline, but their defense saved the day, coming up with key stops to send the match to a shootout.
A nine-round shootout saw Timbers2 grab the extra point, with Benjamin Barjolo scoring the final kick.
Next up is a trip to the Lone Star State to face North Texas SC.
Last match: 0-0 tie, 8-7 SOW vs. LAFC2
Next match: at North Texas SC on 08/15
Don’t look now, but New England Revolution II is starting to rediscover its early-season spark, extending its unbeaten run to five matches with a 2-1 road win over CT United.
Revs II let an early lead slip, but Myles Morgan saved the day with a second-half winner, his 10th goal of the campaign.
The win pushed New England into third place in the Eastern Conference, just four points off the top spot in a crowded race for first place.
Last match: 2-1 win at CT United
Next match: vs. Philadelphia Union II on 08/16
Columbus Crew 2 slide down the rankings this week after suffering a second consecutive loss.
The Capys couldn’t break down Red Bull New York II in their 2-1 loss, as a Sean Baitinger brace proved to be the difference in a match where Crew 2 finished with just one shot on target against the defending champs.
Next up is a matchup against the current Team of the Matchweek, NYCFC II, who are fresh off a 3-0 victory.
Last match: 2-1 loss at Red Bull NY II
Next match: vs. NYCFC II on 08/15
A Matchweek 23 bye gave Ventura County FC a chance to recharge its batteries before what could be a playoff preview in Texas.
They’ll fly to Space City to face one of the top teams in the Western Conference in Houston Dynamo 2 this week.
Last match: 6-1 vs. North Texas SC
Next match: at Houston Dynamo 2 on 08/14
Welcome back CITY2!
St Louis CITY2 is back in the Top 10 Power Rankings thanks to a three-match unbeaten run.
Last weekend, CITY2 grabbed an extra point on the road against Colorado Rapids 2 to keep their run going.
Currently sitting in fifth place, could CITY2 make a late push for one of the top four playoff spots before the season ends?
Last match: 0-0 tie, 3-1 SOW at Colorado Rapids 2
Next match: at Earthquakes II on 08/16
CT United saw its five-game winning streak snapped over the weekend by New England Revolution II.
Even after the loss, the Coywolves remain in playoff position, but a crowded Eastern Conference leaves little room for error, with only two points separating fifth and 10th place.
A road trip to face FC Cincinnati 2 is up next, giving CT United a chance to bounce back quickly.
Last match: 2-1 loss vs. New England Revolution II
Next match: at FC Cincinnati 2 on 08/16
