The inaugural season of MLS NEXT Pro has been packed with goals, drama and excitement through seven weeks. Let’s take a look at the teams that continued to light it up and made MLS NEXT Pro Top 5 rankings this week:
This is not Union II’s first appearance in the MLS NEXT Pro Top 5. Union II have successfully shaken off a three-game winless run in early April and Saturday saw them put a two-game winning streak together with a big win over high-flying Inter Miami II.
The biggest talking point coming out of the weekend is Nelson Pierre leading the way with a brace in the 2-1 win. The start was only the 21-year-old forward’s second of the season and his goals were the first two in his MLS NEXT Pro career. The big performance is certainly worthy of consideration for more minutes in the weeks ahead.
A late equalizer and ensuing shootout loss to Tacoma Defiance on Sunday tarnishes North Texas SC’s standing in this week’s Top 5. The Defiance were able to capitalize on a 60th-minute red card to Isaiah Parker, which will probably sting a bit considering it was the second time the Tacoma-based side was able to find a late equalizer in the season series.
Make no mistake, though. Pa-Modou Kah’s men are one of the toughest to beat in all of the league and have only suffered one defeat all season.
Previous Ranking: 2
Next Match: vs Whitecaps FC 2 on Saturday, May 14.
WFC2 is riding a six-game unbeaten run with the last four being wins. The successful streak has Nick Dasovic’s side in second place in the Western Conference and looking more and more like a playoff lock. Next weekend’s showdown with North Texas SC presents a big test that will garner plenty of attention around the league.
Like North Texas SC, the lone loss on Whitecaps FC2’s resume came in the early stage of the season against Houston Dynamo 2 and they look to be one of the teams strong enough to eventually avenge it.
Previous Ranking: 4
Next Match: at North Texas SC on Saturday, May 14.
A strong argument can be made for Crew 2 to be the top team in this week’s rankings. A convincing 4-0 win over New England Revolution II on Sunday handed their opponent the first loss of the year and maintained a five-game winning streak that has placed them atop the Eastern Conference.
This week’s win also maintained a three-point cushion over the rest of the conference, which is something every coach should love to see early on.
Previous Ranking: 3
Next Match: at NYCFC II on Sunday, May 15.
Dynamo Dos has maintained the no. 1 position after a 2-0 win over Colorado Rapids 2 on Sunday. The win was a successful bounce back from Week 6’s loss to Tacoma Defiance, which stands as the only blemish on Houston Dynamo 2’s resume to date.
A league-best +8 goal differential shows that Kenny Bundy’s side is well-balanced, and its six wins through seven played show it is still the team to beat in the MLS NEXT Pro ranks until proven otherwise.
Previous Ranking: 1
Next Match: at MNUFC2 on Saturday, May 14.
