The competition is tightening up in MLS NEXT Pro as Matchweek 6 brought every team back into action after a couple of weeks away.
Only four unbeaten teams now remain, with several early frontrunners being tested, especially away from home.
Let’s take a look at this week’s Top 10 Power Rankings.
It was a close call north of the border for Crown Legacy FC, who earned a shootout win after a 3-3 tie against TFC II.
Nimfasha Berchimas and TFC II's Jahmarie Nolan went brace for brace in an entertaining first half. Hugo Mbongue gave CLFC the lead in the second half, but a long range strike from TFC II striker Fletcher Banks late in the match took the game into a shootout.
Crown Legacy FC earned the extra point on the road and still sits at the top of the league, but with Rodolfo Aloko now with the first team, there is less margin for error defensively.
Last match: 3-3 tie, SOW win at TFC II
Next match: vs. Chattanooga FC on 04/18
St Louis CITY2 showed some serious resilience over the weekend, fighting back from a 2-0 deficit and a second half red card to earn two points in a shootout win against Colorado Rapids 2.
Riley Lynch and Palmer Ault flipped the game in the second period, sparking the comeback as CITY2 found their rhythm and refused to let the match slip away.
Their comeback result earned CITY2 second place in this week's rankings and keeps their strong run of form to start the season going.
Last match: 2-2 tie, SOW win vs. Colorado Rapids 2
Next match: at Tacoma Defiance on 04/17
Houston Dynamo 2 put their undefeated streak on the line in the Texas capital when they faced Austin FC II this weekend.
Dynamo 2 were moments away from another regulation time win before a weather delay sent both teams to their locker rooms.
A handball after the restart gave Austin FC II a lifeline, and Jorge Alastuey converted to send it to a shootout.
Reigning Goalkeeper of the Month Pedro Cruz delivered during a shootout to secure the extra point and keep Dynamo 2 unbeaten.
Another tough test now awaits Dynamo 2 as they head on the road to face Real Monarchs in Matchweek 7 action.
Last match: 1-1 tie, 4-3 SOW at Austin FC II
Next match: at Real Monarchs on 04/19
Venura County FC makes the biggest jump in the rankings this week (+4) after a 2-0 win over Real Monarchs over the weekend.
Jose “Pepe” Magaña and Julian Placias combined to lead Ventura County FC to their second home win of the season.
VCFC have now recorded three consecutive clean sheets, earning eight of nine points in that stretch and helping them climb up to third place in the Western Conference.
An impressive accomplishment for one of the youngest sides in MLS NEXT Pro.
Last match: 2-0 win vs. Real Monarchs
Next match: vs. Austin FC II on 04/18
Red Bull NY II earned their first road victory of the season with a win over New England Revolution II, powered by goals from Roald Mitchell and Andy Rojas.
Rojas was a constant threat down the left, creating chances and delivering the game winner from a free kick late in the game.
The defending champions now turn their attention to FC Cincinnati 2, who are coming off their first win of the season heading into Matchweek 7.
Last match: 2-1 win at New England Revolution II
Next match: vs. FC Cincinnati 2 on 04/19
A lone Alejandro Cano goal was enough to earn Earthquakes II a second straight win, as Dan DeGeer’s side extended their unbeaten run to four matches after dropping their season opener.
Even while playing a man down, Quakes II found a way to grind out the result, which speaks highly to the group's character. They will now head to SoCal to face LAFC2 in their next test.
Last match: 1-0 win vs. MNUFC2
Next match: at LAFC2 on 04/19
Real Monarchs suffered their first loss of the season, falling 2-0 on the road to Ventura County FC.
Despite seeing just 35 percent of the ball and going down to 10 men, they still managed to put five shots on target, showing there was still a threat going forward even while struggling in possession.
With Marcos Zambrano no longer in the picture, the question becomes who steps up to lead the line for the Monarchs the rest of the season?
Last match: 2-0 loss at Ventura County FC
Next match: vs. Houston Dynamo 2 on 04/19
Damien Barker John, and Alex MacGrath led the way with an attacking display against Orlando City B, fueling Chattanooga FC to a 3-1 victory.
A three match unbeaten run has lifted Richard Dixon’s side into the top five in the East with 10 points.
Now, Chattanooga FC heads to Matthews, North Carolina, looking for revenge against Crown Legacy FC after their opening matchweek loss.
Last match: 3-1 win vs Orlando City B
Next match: at Crown Legacy FC on 04/18
Columbus Crew 2 played spoiler in Connecticut United FC’s first ever home match, walking away with a 2-1 victory.
Zach Zengue led the charge with a brace, with Oneal Taylor adding a spectacular third goal. 17-year-old goalkeeper Keller Abbott came up big with a penalty save to preserve his team's lead and the three points.
With the result, Crew 2 have now won three of their last four matches and sit fourth in the Eastern Conference.
They will look to keep that momentum going when they face New England Revolution II next.
Last match: 3-1 win at CT United FC
Next match: vs New England Revolution II on 04/18
Now this is the Philadelphia Union II performance we are used to seeing.
Stas Korzeniowski delivered a double while Malik Jakupovic added his third goal of the season to push Union II past Carolina Core FC in a 4-1 win.
With the attack clicking again, Union II will now head north of the border in search of their first road win of the season when they face TFC II.
Last match: 4-1 win vs. Carolina Core FC
Next match: at TFC II on 04/17
