What a week of MLS NEXT Pro action.
Houston Dynamo 2 continued their unbeaten streak with another road win, while another Texan side, Austin FC II, made the biggest jump in the rankings this week.
Let’s take a look at who made the cut in this week’s Top 10 Power Rankings.
A trip down to Orlando ended with Crown Legacy FC leaving with two points after a shootout win.
It nearly was all three, but CLFC let a two-goal lead slip away in the final 15 minutes before recovering in the shootout.
Still, the unbeaten streak rolls on for CLFC, and it helps to have an in-form striker like Hugo Mbongue, who continued his hot run by scoring for a fifth straight match.
Now, Crown Legacy heads to the Windy City looking for its first regulation win after back-to-back shootouts when they face Chicago Fire II.
Last match: 2-2 tie, 4-2 SOW at Orlando City B
Next match: at Chicago Fire FC II on 05/09
Houston Dynamo 2 continue to roll through the Western Conference, picking up their third straight win with a victory over Real Monarchs.
Houston unleashed 24 shots in the match, putting nine on target and scoring three times in another dominant attacking display from Jeremy Hurdle's team.
Fifteen-year-old Matthew Arana found the net for his second goal of the season, with his midfield partners Gilberto Rivera and Reese Miller also getting on the scoresheet.
Now comes their biggest test yet this season.
Dynamo 2 head to St. Louis for a Matchweek 10 showdown against CITY2 in a clash between two Western Conference heavyweights.
Last match: 3-1 win at Colorado Rapids 2
Next match: at St Louis CITY2 on 05/09
In what was perhaps their quietest performance of the season so far, St Louis CITY2 fell in a shootout after a scoreless draw against MNUFC2.
CITY2 controlled most of the possession but managed just three shots on target.
Riley Lynch and Zack Lillingston showed flashes down the right flank, though the attack never fully clicked for CITY2 on the day.
They will need more from their offense going forward, with the Western Conference leaders, Houston Dynamo 2, coming to town.
Last match: 0-0 SOL at MNUFC2
Next match: vs. Houston Dynamo 2 on 05/09
Don’t look now, but the defending MLS NEXT Pro champions are heating up.
Red Bull NY II is now riding a four-game winning streak after taking down rivals Philadelphia Union II by 2-1 over the weekend, a result that lifted them to second place in the Eastern Conference.
The match nearly swung late after Philly thought they had found an equalizer, only for an offside flag to erase the goal and prevent another shootout between the rivals this season.
Dennis Nelich scored for a second straight match, while Dennis Gjengaar continued his strong run of form, dishing out his third assist of the year.
Red Bull II will now head north, looking to make it five wins in a row against TFC II.
Last match: 2-1 win at Philadelphia Union II
Next match: at TFC II on 05/08
Atlanta United 2 returned from their bye week in strong form with a 2-1 win over Carolina Core FC.
Cameron Dunbar led the way with a brace, while 17-year-old midfielder Ignacio Suarez picked up an assist for the second straight match.
Jose Silva’s side will now put its three-game winning streak on the line when Orlando City B comes to town this weekend.
Last match: 2-1 win at Carolina Core FC
Next match: vs. Orlando City B on 05/09
Ventura County FC slides down the rankings this week after falling for the second consecutive week, this time at home against Earthquakes II.
The visitors got on the board early and never let up, eventually earning a 3-1 win.
VCFC remains among the top four teams in the West and will look to rebound away from home this week when they travel to face SKC II.
Last match: 3-1 loss vs. San Jose Earthquakes II
Next match: at Sporting KC II on 05/06
Austin FC II returned from their Matchweek 8 break with a statement road win over North Texas SC.
Micah Burton was at the center of it all, contributing to both goals by first setting up Jorge Alastuey before finding the net himself just before halftime to secure a 2-0 result.
Austin will now look to extend its six-game unbeaten run when Tacoma Defiance visits this weekend.
Last match: 2-0 win at North Texas SC
Next match: vs. Tacoma Defiance on 05/10
Also sliding down the rankings this week is TFC II, who suffered their toughest result of the season in a 5-0 road loss to FC Cincinnati 2.
Gianni Cimini’s side controlled nearly 60 percent of the possession but could not make the most of their chances in front of goal to keep the game close.
Their Matchweek 10 opponent won't be an easy one with a red-hot Red Bull New York II side coming to town.
Last match: 5-0 loss at FCC2
Next match: vs. RBNY II on 05/08
It was the Gabriel Bracken Serra show at William Rolland Stadium last Friday, as the 23-year-old midfielder scored a brace and created four chances that led his side to victory.
Tomo Allen also impressed with a goal and an assist to help lift Earthquakes II to a 3-1 win and back into the Top 10 Power Rankings.
Now, Quakes II turn their attention to Whitecaps FC 2 as they look to make it back-to-back wins.
Last match: 3-1 win at Ventura County FC
Next match: vs. Whitecaps FC 2 on 05/09
Columbus Crew 2 battled back from an early deficit to earn a 3-1 win at home in Matchweek 9.
Kevin Gbamblé sparked the second-half turnaround with two assists, setting up Brent Adu-Gyamfi and Chase Adams, who scored his fifth goal of the season.
With the win, Crew 2 climbed to third place in the Eastern Conference and will now face FC Cincinnati 2 for the second edition of the Heck is Plausible derby of 2026.
Crew 2 will be confident after winning the first meeting 2-0 at home back in March.
Last match: 3-1 vs. Inter Miami II
Next match: at FC Cincinnati 2 on 05/10
