We’re rounding the final corner of the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro regular season, and there’s still plenty to fight for heading into Matchweek 29.
Austin FC II have locked down the number one overall seed, while Crown Legacy FC and Chattanooga FC continue to battle for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.
Five playoff spots are still up for grabs in the East, while three remain available in the West.
For some teams, the focus is now avoiding the play-in game, while others will fight to keep their seasons alive.Â
Either way, every team in this week’s rankings is officially in playoff mode.
Here’s a closer look at the Top 10 Power Rankings heading into the final week of the regular season:
Austin FC II grabbed their 18th(!) win of the season with a 1-0 victory over Colorado Rapids 2 last weekend.
The three points helped them lock down not only the Frontier Division title, but also the number one seed in the Western Conference and the number one overall seed in MLS NEXT Pro.
Good things come in threes, right?
Last match: 1-0 win vs. Colorado Rapids 2
Next match: at St Louis CITY2 on 09/20
Crown Legacy FC fell in a shootout to in-state rivals Carolina Core FC in their third meeting of the season.
Two early goals gave CLFC a comfortable lead heading into halftime, but the Foxes battled back to force the match into a shootout.
Despite dropping the extra point, CLFC still control their path to the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
They’ll need at least two points against FC Cincinnati 2 (or a Chattanooga loss or tie) on Decision Day to lock it down.
Last match: 2-2 tie, 4-3 SOL vs. Carolina Core FC
Next match:Â at FC Cincinnati 2 on 09/20
Timbers2 earned their fifth shootout victory of the season with a 6-5 result over St Louis CITY2.
Three of Portland’s last four matches have gone to a shootout, while their lone regulation win required a stoppage-time miracle winner, highlighting how tight their recent results have been.
Earning at least one point on Decision Day will keep T2 in second place in the Western Conference.
Last match: 1-1 tie, 6-5 SOW vs. St Louis CITY2
Next match: at Tacoma Defiance on 09/20
Back-to-back matches against North Texas SC last week saw Houston Dynamo 2 earn an incredible comeback win before falling in a shootout in the second meeting last Sunday.
Nevertheless, Dynamo 2 secured their playoff spot and will now look to end the regular season on a high note while also pushing to climb into third place in the Western Conference.
Last match: 0-0 tie, 4-3 SOL vs. North Texas SC
Next match: vs. Sporting KC II on 09/20
A fourth consecutive win has Chattanooga FC on the brink of claiming the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
To get there, they’ll need a win against Chicago Fire II on Sunday and some help from FC Cincinnati 2 against Crown Legacy FC.
The only problem? Chattanooga FC have never defeated Chicago in their four previous meetings, suffering two regulation losses and two shootout defeats.
History is on the line Sunday for Golden Boot candidate Alex Krehl and Co., with the top seed in the East still within reach.
Last match: 4-1 win vs. Atlanta United 2
Next match: at Chicago Fire II on 09/20
Ventura County FC kept their undefeated streak going with a commanding 3-0 home win over Tacoma Defiance.
A road match against Real Monarchs will close out their regular season, with the second seed still up for grabs.
Last match: 3-0 win vs. Tacoma Defiance
Next match: at Real Monarchs on 09/20
Red Bull New York II will enter the final week of the regular season as the third seed in the Eastern Conference, but they’ll need a win against Huntsville City FC to hold onto it.
The defending champs could still slip into the bottom half of the playoff seeding if results go against them on Decision Day, so a win is imperative.Â
Last match: 1-1 tie, 5-3 SOL vs. FC Cincinnati 2
Next match: vs. Huntsville City FC on 09/20
An eight-match unbeaten streak has St Louis CITY2 peaking at the right time, and they’ll get the perfect test to close out the regular season when they face the top team in the league, Austin FC II.
A win against ATX II would send a definite message to the rest of the Western Conference heading into the playoffs.
Last match: 1-1 tie, 6-5 SOL Timbers2
Next match: vs. Austin FC II on 09/20
Columbus Crew 2 are officially back in the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs after missing out on the postseason for the first time last season.
The objective now is simple: defeat Carolina Core FC and give themselves a chance to claim one of the two remaining home playoff spots.
Last match: 1-1 tie, 5-3 SOL vs. New England Revolution II
Next match: vs. Carolina Core FC on 09/20
There’s a small margin for error for New England Revolution II heading into Decision Day.
A win secures their playoff spot and could even earn them a first-round home match.
A loss, however, could drop them into the Play-In Game or, in a worst-case scenario, leave them out of the playoffs altogether. That last outcome may be unlikely, but anything can happen on Decision Day.
The good news? Revs II have not lost to TFC II since 2022.
Last match: 1-1 tie, 5-3 SOW vs. Columbus Crew 2
Next match: at TFC II on 09/20
