A total of five MLS NEXT Pro clubs made the move upward in the Matchday 16 Top 10 Power Rankings.
Crown Legacy FC moved to No. 1 after earning their 12th regular season victory of 2023. Jose Tavares’ men have jostled with Colorado Rapids 2 for majority of the league campaign and have finally leapfrogged the Western Conference leaders after sitting just behind them.
Tacoma Defiance, Columbus Crew 2, and Whitecaps FC 2 also made strides after weekend results. Huntsville City FC cracked the Top 10 for the first time this year after the expansion side delivered its most convincing win of 2023. Here is a closer look at MLS NEXT Pro's Top 10 Power Rankings:
Jack Collison’s Huntsville City FC squad continued a positive run of form on Matchday 16, putting six goals past Orlando City B on Sunday.
A 6-2 home victory gave Huntsville City FC their third victory out of the past five matches, as Isaiah Johnston, Azaad Liadi, and Kemy Amiche all starred at Joe Davis Stadium. After a slow start to life in MLS NEXT Pro, Huntsville City FC have looked to find their groove as they now aim to move up the Eastern Conference table.
Last Match: 6-2 win vs. Orlando City B
Next Match: vs. TFC II on Sunday, July 16
ATL UTD 2 remained in the Top 10 of the MLS NEXT Pro Power Rankings despite suffering a 3-1 road loss at the hands of East-leading Crown Legacy FC on Sunday.
Steve Cooke’s men have only won one of their last five matches in regulation, while also taking points against Columbus Crew 2 and TFC II. Nicolas Firmino, Luke Brennan, and Karim Tmimi have continued to provide a nice balance in the ATL UTD 2 attack and a trip to face Orlando City B provides a good opportunity to rebound on Matchday 17.
Last Match: 3-1 loss at Crown Legacy FC.
Next Match: at Orlando City B on Sunday, July 16
Not many MLS NEXT Pro clubs have been able to earn points against Colorado Rapids 2, but Whitecaps FC 2 joined that slim list on Saturday. Ricardo Clark’s squad went neck-and-neck with Rapids 2 at Swangard Stadium before falling 4-3 in a shootout. After losing three-consecutive matches prior, Whitecaps FC 2 ended their regulation losing run and earned some much needed confidence heading into a Cascadia Cup clash with Timbers2 on Matchday 17.
Last Match: 1-1, SOL vs. Colorado Rapids 2
Next Match: vs. Timbers2 on Saturday, July 15
Things didn’t go the way that New York Red Bulls II would’ve hoped against rivals NYCFC II on Matchday 16, causing them to drop in the MLS NEXT Pro Power Rankings. A 3-2 home defeat witnessed Red Bulls II’s comeback hopes to fall just short in a match where they played most of the second half down to 10-men. Ibrahim Kasule continues to be a bright spot in the Red Bulls II squad, but he will need help if the Eastern Conference club wants to bounce back on Matchday 17.
Last Match: 3-2 loss vs. NYCFC II
Next Match: at Philadelphia Union II on Sunday, July 16
New England Revolution II claimed a full three points on Sunday against Inter Miami II, staying in the top six places of the Power Rankings. Clint Peay’s men picked up shootout wins over TFC II and Huntsville City FC in recent weeks, but delivered a full performance on the road on Sunday. Peyton Miller scored his first MLS NEXT Pro goal in the process while Jacob Jackson registered a seven-save clean sheet.
Last Match: 2-0 win at Inter Miami II
Next Match: vs. Crown Legacy FC on Wednesday, July 12
Columbus Crew 2 also moved up in the MLS NEXT Pro Power Rankings after using a second-half comeback to claim three points on the road in Canada. Keegan Hughes and Marco Micaletto scored eight minutes apart to help Laurent Courtois’ men overcome a 2-1 deficit and earn a 3-2 victory. Crew 2 have won three of their last four matches in regulation, continuing to show why they are defending league champions.
Last Match: 3-2 win at TFC II
Next Match: vs. Philadelphia Union II on Monday, July 24
The biggest movers in the Matchday 16 Power Rankings were Tacoma Defiance, who extended their winning run to four matches. Wade Webber’s squad downed North Texas SC 3-0 on Sunday, making it three-straight clean sheets as well. Paul Rothrock continued his positive campaign with one goal while Jacob Castro registered a one-save clean sheet. A winnable two-match road trip begins on Sunday against LA Galaxy II.
Last Match: 3-0 win vs. North Texas SC
Next Match: at LA Galaxy II on Sunday, July 16
Austin FC II extended its home winning streak to four matches after blanking in-state rivals Houston Dynamo 2 by a 3-0 scoreline. CJ Fodrey, Sebastien Pineau, and Christo Vela all found the back of the net for Brett Uttley’s squad, who remained No. 3 in the latest Power Rankings. Austin FC II remain four points back of Colorado Rapids 2, but aren’t showing any signs of slowing down.
Last Match: 3-0 win vs. Houston Dynamo 2
Next Match: at Colorado Rapids 2 on Sunday, July 23
Colorado Rapids 2 didn’t lose in Sunday’s trip to Vancouver, but did suffer a setback in the MLS NEXT Pro Power Rankings. Erik Bushey’s squad dropped to No. 2 after earning two points on the road at Swangard Stadium, a result which led to Crown Legacy FC leapfrogging them atop the league standings. Rapids 2 are still one of the early contenders come playoff time, but now it’s about stacking up the regulation victories in order to grab the No. 1 seed back.
Last Match: 1-1, SOW at Whitecaps FC 2
Next Match: at Real Monarchs on Friday, July 14.
Crown Legacy FC’s third-consecutive regulation victory moved them top of the MLS NEXT Pro Standings and Power Rankings as the Eastern Conference club continued to show their dominance.
A 3-1 home win over ATL UTD 2 moved Jose Tavares’ squad to 42 points on the season, as well as six points clear atop the East table. Patrick Agyemang played the hero with a brace on Sunday while Joao Guilherme also found the back of the net. A midweek trip to in-form New England Revolution II means a quick turnaround for both clubs, but Crown Legacy FC will remain favorites after only losing twice in regulation this season.
Last Match: 3-1 win vs. ATL UTD 2
Next Match: at New England Revolution II on Wednesday, July 12
