A rivalry-woven Matchweek 10 in MLS NEXT Pro did not disappoint.
A top-of-the-table battle in the East saw Chattanooga FC maintain their position as the top dog with a rally on the road in their 2-1 win over Huntsville City FC.
In the West, defending MLS NEXT Pro Cup champs North Texas SC headlined the action with a statement 2-1 win over Houston Dynamo 2 to level the Texas Derby season series.
And so much more.
Read more about how it shaped this week's Top 10 Power Rankings below.
Take a punch, give two. That was the story of Chattanooga FC's six-pointer on Saturday.
Their 2.4 points per game tops the league by a decent margin and is built on managing their game-deciding moments incredibly well.
Sometimes a team's greatest strength is having no glaring weakness, which seems to be the theme of the 2025 CFC cast. Apart from a 4-1 win at Carolina Core, all of Chattanooga's wins have been tightly competitive matches, and they've been able to grind them out better than anyone in the league at this phase of the season.
Last match: 2-1 win at Huntsville City FC
Next match: vs. New England Revolution II on Saturday, May 24
Colorado Rapids 2 got a much-needed bounce-back win over the weekend and did it with style points.
With Sunday's Rocky Mountain rivalry game on the line in the dying moments of stoppage time, winger Kimani Stewart-Baynes won the match with a Panenka from the spot. A moment of swagger that could be exactly what Rapids 2 needed to sage the room after a two-game winless skid.
Last match: 2-1 win vs. Real Monarchs
Next match: vs. The Town FC on Sunday, May 25
NTSC was fresh off a BYE week for their in-state showdown with Dynamo Dos.
A three-hour weather delay built the anticipation even more, and two of their biggest stars, Sam Sarver and Diego Garcia, led the way in a chippy match worthy of the Texas Derby moniker.
Sitting second in the West and winners of three in a row, North Texas SC's shaky start to the season is firmly in the rearview.
Last match: 2-1 win vs. Houston Dynamo 2
Next match: at Tacoma Defiance on Sunday, May 25
We've got a tasty storyline brewing here.
Huntsville City FC's two losses on the year have both been by a one-goal margin to runaway leaders Chattanooga FC. The latest, on Saturday, snapped HCFC's six-game unbeaten streak.
They'll get another swipe at Chattanooga in August. If they two are still running neck-and-neck by then, it'll certainly be a playoff atmosphere, and it's not too early to daydream about a potential fourth meeting in the MLS NEXT Pro Cup Playoffs.
Plenty of motivation for Huntsville, who will look for a quick bounce-back this weekend.
Last match: 2-1 loss vs. Chattanooga FC
Next match: at Toronto FC II on Friday, May 23
Ventura County FC are back at the top of the West thanks to a successful road trip to Whitecaps FC 2.
For now, that is. They end the month of May with a .500 record and will be on a BYE for the next 13 days, giving the rest of the West a chance to catch up.
Last match: 2-0 win at Whitecaps FC 2
Next match: vs. Real Monarchs on Sunday, June 1
Another side that got a much-needed bounce-back, St Louis CITY2.
Like he's done so many times before, MyKhi Joyner led the way with a brace to help CITY2 shake off a tough loss in Matchweek 9. There are ways to the standard they set to open up the season, though. After not allowing a goal in all of March, CITY2 haven't had a clean sheet since.
Can Sunday's win be the turning point back to dominance?
Last match: 3-2 win at MNUFC2
Next match: vs. Timbers2 on Saturday, May 23
Dynamo Dos fell to North Texas SC in Matchweek 10 but can get a major boost with a bounceback in the weeks ahead.
They'll take a BYE before a visit to their other in-state rival, Austin FC II, looms as they look to close the month out on a high note.
Last match: 2-1 loss at North Texas SC
Next match: at Austin FC II on Friday, May 30
The Town FC make their debut in the Top 10 in 2025.
They sit ninth in the West, but are stacking points with a four-game unbeaten streak, which includes three wins, outscoring opponents 14-1 in that span. They benefited from some first-team star power earlier in the month, but it's been the regulars doing the majority of the heavy lifting.
A potential statement awaits when they face a fellow ranked opponent this weekend. Can they close out the month without conceding a goal?
Last match: 0-0 tie, SOW at SKC II
Next match: at Colorado Rapids 2 on Sunday, May 25
The last unbeaten standing had a BYE in Matchweek 10.
No rest for the weary, though. They put their pristine record on the line against a dangerous Inter Miami II side on Sunday.
Last match: 3-0 win vs. Columbus Crew 2
Next match: vs. Inter Miami II on Sunday, May 25
Look who's back!
Red Bulls II return to the Top 10 after a dominant win over New England Revolution II.
Unbeaten in three of their last four, RBNY II sit second in the Eastern Conference power struggle.
Last match: 4-1 win vs. New England Revolution II
Next match: at Columbus Crew 2 on Sunday, May 25
