Matchweek 12 action in MLS NEXT Pro featured impressive wins for Philadelphia Union II, North Texas SC, and Chattanooga FC.
Mehdi Ouamri's incredible overhead kick allowed Chattanooga FC to maintain a high spot in this week's Power Rankings. Philadelphia Union II continued to roll with a strong performance in a win over Columbus Crew 2, and North Texas collected an improbable three points at Los Angeles Football Club 2.
Here is a closer look at MLS NEXT Pro's Top 10 Power Rankings following Matchweek 12:
10.) Inter Miami CF II
Despite finishing the match with nine men, Inter Miami II pulled off an impressive 3-1 victory over in-state rivals Orlando City B. Ryan Carmichael, Corentin Jean, and Lawson Sunderland scored, while the club's defense put in another strong performance. Pair this result with Inter Miami II's last result, a 1-0 away win over FC Cincinnati 2 which included a penalty stop by goalkeeper Owen Finnerty, and it's clear to see Federico Higuain's side is starting to find some momentum.
Last Match: 3-1 win vs. Orlando City B
Next Match: at NYCFC II on Friday, June 7
9.) Sporting Kansas City II
Sebastian Cruz took home MLS NEXT Pro Player of Matchweek 12 honors, scoring two goals in a super-sub appearance as Sporting KC II took down MNUFC2 thanks to a late comeback. Benny Feilhaber's side is on a three-game unbeaten streak with a penchant for overcoming adversity. Two of the club's previous three matches have been come-from-behind wins.
Kamron Habibullah still leads the team in scoring with seven goals, but the offense continues to surge with three goals in the previous three games from Beto Avila and Cruz's two-goal contribution on Sunday.
Last Match: 4-3 win at MNUFC2
Next Match: vs. Houston Dynamo 2 on Friday, June 7
8.) FC Cincinnati 2
FC Cincinnati 2 dropped just one spot in the Matchweek 12 Power Rankings as it did not play this matchweek. The club's previous loss to Inter Miami II snapped a five-game winning streak. However, Tyrone Marshall's side maintains a fourth-place spot in the Eastern Conference with 19 points.
Forward Stefan Chirila has emerged as a key player this season, earning MLS NEXT Pro Rising Star of the Month honors for May with four goals and one assist.
FC Cincinnati 2 will be put to the test next week, facing league-leading Philadelphia Union II.
Last Match: 1-0 loss vs. Inter Miami CF II
Next Match: at Philadelphia Union II on Thursday, June 6
7.) Chicago Fire FC II
Chicago Fire FC II went on the road to end TFC II's unbeaten streak at six games in emphatic fashion. Jason Shokalook scored his first professional goal, while David Poreba added two stoppage-time goals.
The Fire II back line is picking up in form, while the attack has produced at least two goals in each of its last eight games. Poreba, an excellent addition to the squad over the previous offseason, leads the charge with seven goals, while Harold Osorio adds six goals.
Last Match: 4-1 win at TFC II
Next Match: vs. Chattanooga FC on Friday, June 7
6.) LAFC2
LAFC2 moves down three spots in the Matchweek 12 Power Rankings after facing a 4-0 home loss to North Texas SC. North Texas put forth a strong performance in which Tarik Scott scored twice in the first half.
LAFC2 had previously won four of its last six matches. Junior Gonzalez will look to key players Luis Muller, Adrian Wibowo, and Tomas Angel, who have enjoyed positive starts to the season.
Last Match: 4-0 loss vs. North Texas SC
Next Match: at Whitecaps FC 2 on Sunday, June 9
5.) St Louis CITY2
A strong start to the season for St Louis CITY2 has been built upon excellent form in away matches. CITY2 continued that trend in Matchweek 12 with a 3-2 win over Colorado Rapids 2. MyKhi Joyner, an academy player, scored the winning penalty kick in the 83rd minute, his fifth goal of the season. It's also his second game-winning penalty in back-to-back games and his third game-winning goal of the season.
CITY2 moves up one spot in the Matchweek 12 rankings. The club is on an impressive run, losing only one match since March 17.
Last Match: 3-2 win at Colorado Rapids 2
Next Match: at Tacoma Defiance on Thursday, June 6
4.) Ventura County FC
An exciting Western Conference clash resulted in Ventura County FC rising to the occasion, claiming a 3-2 win over Tacoma Defiance as Ruben Ramos Jr. scored the winning goal in the 71st minute. In a game filled with incredible goals, Isaiah Parente's 45th-minute free kick also made it among the Matchweek 12 Goal of the Week nominees.
VCFC continues to compete among the top clubs in the Western Conference, lying three points behind first-place North Texas SC.
Last Match: 3-2 win vs. Tacoma Defiance
Next Match: at Timbers2 on Sunday, June 9
3.) Chattanooga FC
Chattanooga FC's inaugural MLS NEXT Pro season continues to be a memorable one. In Matchweek 12, Mehdi Ouamri secured three points against New England Revolution II with an impressive overhead kick goal in the 80th minute. Rod Underwood's team has one loss since April 24.
Last Match: 1-0 win vs. New England Revolution II
Next Match: at Chicago Fire FC II on Friday, June 7
2.) North Texas SC
North Texas SC made a statement with its Matchweek 12 win: a 4-0 victory over LAFC2, a club with a strong home record. Tarik Scott scored twice in the first half, with his first goal coming with North Texas down a man because of a red card. Scott is enjoying a breakout 2024 season so far, with six goals and one assist.
North Texas' defense leads the league with only eight goals. Sunday's win made for the team's fourth shutout of the season.
Last Match: 4-0 win at LAFC2
Next Match: at MNUFC2 on Sunday, June 9
1.) Philadelphia Union II
There seems to be no shortage of attacking talent available for Marlon LeBlanc's Union II team. CJ Olney is quickly emerging as one of the top young talents in MLS NEXT Pro, and his one-goal, two-assist performance in a 3-1 win over Columbus Crew 2.
Union II reached a streak of four wins in a row. The Eastern Conference club leads the league with 26 points and in goals with 26 goals scored.
Impressively, some of the top performances from the club have come from teenagers. Eddy Davis, an Academy player, and Olney, are both 17 years old and lead the team in goals and assists, respectively. Seventeen-year-old midfielder Sal Olivas has also contributed four goals.
Last Match: 3-1 win vs. Columbus Crew 2
Next Match: vs. FC Cincinnati 2 on Thursday, June 6
