The second half of the inaugural season of MLS NEXT Pro is underway as teams look to make a playoff push or solidify their positions in the standings.
Let's take a look at the teams that continued to light it up and make the MLS NEXT Pro Top 5 rankings this week:
City2's seven-game unbeaten run ended this weekend, losing 2-1 at home to Colorado Rapids 2. Colorado Rapids 2 gained the advantage early, earning and converting a penalty seconds into the start of the match. Rapids2 would double their lead in the second half and withstood a late goal from CITY2's Karson Gibbs to head home with the three points.
Despite the loss, CITY2 remains in second place in the Western Conference with 30 points. They'll have a chance to bounce back when they travel to Minnesota on Sunday.
Previous Ranking: 2
Next Match: at MNUFC2 on Sunday, July 10
The MLS NEXT Pro Game of the Week certainly lived up to its billing when Houston Dynamo 2 walked away with two points after earning a 4-3 shootout victory over Earthquakes 2 last Friday.
Quakes II midfielder William Richmond played the role of spoiler when he scored a curler past Dynamo 2's goalkeeper Andrew Pannenberg to tie the game in the 90th minute and send the match to a shootout. Pannenberg would come in clutch during the shootout stopping two attempts while his teammates converted all four of their penalty kicks.
After earning 2 points, Dynamo 2 sit in fourth place in the Western Conference with 27 points and will look to continue to be the only side in MLS NEXT Pro to remain undefeated at home when they host Real Monarchs this Sunday.
Previous Ranking: Not ranked
Next Match: vs. Real Monarchs on Sunday, July 10
The MLS NEXT Pro Goalkeeper of the Month Caique and RNY FC did not need to head into a third straight shootout last Friday after taking care of business in regulation with a 3-2 victory over Orlando City B.
Lamar Batista and Gibran Rayo led the way for the offense scoring three goals for RNY FC, while their defense was able to limit Orlando City B's Jack Lynn, one of the best strikers in MLS NEXT Pro, to only one goal.
With this victory, RNY FC remains in fourth place in the Eastern Conference with 23 points and only 2 points away from the second spot in the conference.
Previous Ranking: 4
Next Match: vs. Philadelphia Union 2 on Wednesday, July 7
John Denis found the back of the net twice during NYCFC II's dominant 5-1 victory over FC Cincinnati 2 last Saturday. Denis' two goals bring his total for the season to nine, good enough for third place in the MLS NEXT Pro Golden Boot race.
Their 5-1 victory not only marked consecutive wins for NYCFC II, but the second straight week they've racked up five goals against an opponent. It's no surprise they now lead the league in total goals scored 36.
After earning the three points at home, NYCFC II has climbed up to third place in the Eastern Conference with 25 points.
Previous Ranking: Not ranked
Next Match: at New England Revolution II on Sunday, July 10
Crew 2 was scheduled to face off against Philadelphia Union II this past Saturday, but the game was postponed with a new date and time set to be announced later.
But even with the week off, Crew 2 continues to be the cream of the crop in MLS NEXT Pro.
Columbus Crew 2 is now set to travel north of the border on Friday to face off against TFC II, a team they have defeated twice this season.
Previous Ranking: 3
Next Match: at TFC II on Friday, July 10
