The final MLS NEXT Pro Power Rankings of the 2023 regular season has arrived
Crown Legacy FC and Colorado Rapids 2 head into the postseason as the top two ranked teams after finishing first in their respective conferences. New England Revolution II are right behind them after a strong summer of results.
Columbus Crew 2 and Sporting KC II moved up in this week’s rankings after positive Decision Day results. Orlando City B edged Philadelphia Union II to the No. 10 spot.
Here is a closer look at MLS NEXT Pro's Top 10 Power Rankings:
Orlando City B ended its regular season schedule on a winning note, which saw Martin Perelman’s squad finish fifth in the Eastern Conference. A 2-1 home victory over FC Cincinnati 2 featured goals from Jack Lynn and Shak Mohammed. Lynn’s tally moved him to 19 goals during the regular season, tying him with Remi Cabral and Matthew Myers for the league’s Golden Boot award.
Last Match: 2-1 win vs. FC Cincinnati 2
Bobby Murphy’s St. Louis CITY2 squad dropped to the No. 9 spot in this week’s rankings despite going toe-to-toe with Sporting KC II on Decision Day. A 4-3 shootout loss at Rock Chalk Park was CITY2’s third-straight loss in shootouts despite their regulation unbeaten run extending to 10 matches. Faysal Bettache is riding strong form heading into the postseason though, which should provide a major boost for the defending Western Conference champions.
Last Match: 1-1, SOL at Sporting KC II
Sporting KC II finished third in the Western Conference standings as Benny Feilhaber’s men now prepare for the postseason. A 4-3 shootout win over St. Louis CITY2 helped SKC II rebound from back-to-back defeats in league play. Their +18 goal differential ranked third in the Western Conference while a dynamic attacking front will be tough for everyone in the West to stop.
Last Match: 1-1, SOW vs. St. Louis CITY2
New York Red Bulls II will be aiming to show a short memory in the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs after seeing their five-match unbeaten run end on Decision Day. A 3-1 home loss to Philadelphia Union II was the first regulation defeat for Red Bulls II since August 9. Ibrahim Sekagya still has plenty of impressive talent in his disposal this fall including Ibrahim Kasule and Julian Hall.
Last Match: 3-1 loss vs. Philadelphia Union II
The biggest drop in this week’s Power Rankings happened to Austin FC II, who failed to end its regular season schedule with three points. A 3-1 Texas Derby loss to North Texas SC extended Austin FC II’s regulation winless streak to six matches, which is a worrying sign heading into the postseason. A stingy defense and a top goalkeeper in Damian Las are likely to carry Austin FC II in the playoffs, unless their attacking players start finding some confidence.
Last Match: 3-1 loss at North Texas SC
Wade Webber’s Tacoma Defiance will be feeling good about their chances heading into the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs. A 5-4 shootout win over Whitecaps FC 2 extended the Defiance’s regulation unbeaten streak to six matches, giving them a major confidence boost. Paul Rothrock and Braudilio Rodrigues will be a dangerous 1-2 duo to watch for the Defiance after totaling 22 goals and nine assists during the regular season.
Last Match: 3-3, SOW vs. Whitecaps FC 2
Back-to-back victories helped Columbus Crew 2 jump up to No. 4 in this week’s Power Rankings. A 3-2 Decision Day victory over ATL UTD 2 featured goals from Marco Micaletto, Abdi Mohammed, and Gibran Rayo, giving Crew 2 a shot of confidence heading into the playoffs. The defending MLS NEXT Pro Champions have been up-and-down in 2023, but now have a fresh start to defend their title.
Last Match: 3-2 win vs. ATL UTD 2
New England Revolution II should be well rested heading into the playoffs after having a bye week during the Decision Day schedule. A 1-0 loss to Crown Legacy FC snapped a 12-match regulation unbeaten streak back on Matchday 27, but overall Revs II have been dominant for most of the summer. Jordan Adebayo-Smith and Marcos Dias combined for 20 goals and seven assists during the regular season.
Last Match: Bye Week
A fourth-straight win for Colorado Rapids 2 helped Erik Bushey’s squad capture the overall No. 1 seed heading into the playoffs. Rapids 2 defeated MNUFC2 by a 4-2 scoreline as Remi Cabral’s hat trick helped the Frenchman finish the regular season tied for the league’s Golden Boot award. Cabral scored three goals in a 24-minute period, including netting the winner in the 89th minute before adding an insurance tally in second-half stoppage time.
Last Match: 4-2 win vs. MNUFC2
Crown Legacy FC ended its regular season schedule on a high note, rolling past TFC II by a 4-0 scoreline on Decision Day. A brace from Jacob Williams paired with goals from Nikola Petkovic and Iuri Tavares helped Jose Tavares’ men end the regular season on a seven-match unbeaten run. Crown Legacy FC will be a tough out for everyone in the Eastern Conference, especially after conceding the fewest goals (34 goals) and finishing tied with NYCFC II for scoring the most (60).
Last Match: 4-0 win at TFC II
