Some things appear to be settling in the MLS NEXT Pro power landscape as we head to the home stretch of the year.
The perpetual battle for the top of the Western Conference looks to belong to St Louis CITY2 firmly after their Team of the Matchweek-winning triumph in Austin extended a historic eight-game winning streak.
In the East, a surging FC Cincinnati 2 have had to come out of the mud to put themselves back in a playoff position with a seven-game unbeaten streak carried across some of the heaviest-hitters in the conference.
Read more about the Top 10 Power Rankings refresh after Matchweek 18 below.
CITY2's run of dominance has set them eight points clear at the top of the West after running neck-and-neck with Ventura County FC.
They were in a similar position last year with North Texas SC, which went all the way to the Western Conference Final in the playoffs. They've more than avenged that defeat so far in 2025, and it starts to feel like we're looking at a team ready to take the next step.
Worth a mention as well, it's a road interim coach John Hackworth knows very well after leading CITY2 all the way to the MLS NEXT Pro Cup Final in 2022. With him back at the helm and a squad hitting peak form, it feels like an unstoppable force.
Last match: 4-2 win at Austin FC II
Next match: St Louis CITY2 on Wednesday, July 16
Eastern Conference leaders New York Red Bulls II are winless in three but showed their grit to save points on the road this week.
Coliqually the Michael Bradley derby in their road trip to TFC II, it took a stoppage time goal from Tanner Rosborough to stage a shootout win.
Can they get back on the front foot and start to lock down their top-seed playoff status in the weeks to come? They can make a statement against their actual derby rivals in Matchweek 19.
Last match: 2-2 tie, SOW at Toronto FC II
Next match: vs. NYCFC II on Sunday, July 20
Still ony one loss on their record in 2025, Union II hit a new gear this week.
Down 3-1 to Chattanooga FC, Union II pulled off a stunning comeback to even the score and take care of business in the shootout.
Many, many talking points in this one, but naturally 15-year-old wonderkid Cavan Sullivan's golazo and final equalizer headline them all. His Player of the Matchweek performance adds to what's shaping up to be a memorable season that shows why he's already a household name in North America.
Last match: 3-3 tie, SOW vs. Chattanooga FC
Next match: at Crown Legacy FC on Saturday, July 19
Read more: 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Matchweek 18 Honors
Sometimes a tie can feel like a win, other times not so much. It's the nature of the beast.
Chattanooga FC will be feeling it a bit this week after allowing a 3-1 lead to turn into the Sullivan show. But there are some moral victories to take away, like how Union II only have one loss on their record so far this year and CFC nearly had 'em pinned.
As well as being the only ones to score three on the best defensive unit in the league. If this is a playoff matchup down the road and Chattanooga can close the small margins, they can win this game.
Last match: 3-3 tie, SOL at Philadelphia Union II
Next match: vs. Inter Miami II on Saturday, July 19
Colorado Rapids 2 are holding down third place in the West and aim to end the July unbeaten.
A scoreless tie against Whitecaps FC 2 is sometihng most teams in the league will take against the sceond-highest scoring side in the West.
Last match: 0-0 tie, SOW vs. WFC2
Next match: vs. Tacoma Defiance on Sunday, July 20
Unbeaten in three, The Town FC took care of business against Sporting KC II last weekend.
Star striker Nonso Adimabua played the hero with a brace and assist to keep the TTFC attack humming.
Last match: 3-1 win vs. SKC II
Next match: vs. MNUFC2 on Tuesday, July 22
Suffering defeat for the first time since April, Chicago Fire FC II's hot run of form ended on Sunday.
But they were so, so close to making it a 10-game unbeaten run. How will they bounce back?
Last match: 4-3 loss vs. New England Revoluton II
Next match: at Toronto FC II on Sunday, July 20
July for Huntsville City FC includes a road win over Eastern Conference leaders RBNY II followed by a road loss to FC Cincinnati 2.
They've shown they can beat the best, but it's still a fair fight on any given week. In the final stretch of the season, they're one to watch as home playoff seeds are very much up for grabs if they can find a little more consistency in the win column.
Last match: 1-0 loss at FC Cincinnati 2
Next match: vs. Columbus Crew 2
Ventura County FC had a bye in Matchweek18
A need a statement win will get the chance when they try to shave points off the Western Conference leaders next time out.
Last match: 2-1 loss vs. Whitecaps FC 2
Next match: at St Louis CITY2 on Wednesday, July 16
Last year's Eastern Conference top seed is officially back in the mix.
FC Cincinnati 2 are on a seven game unbeaten run stretched out across many of the best in the East. In that span, they've won all five of their shootout opporunities which could become the reason they make the playoffs again in 2025 once it's all said and done.
Can they keep the streak going and add some regulation wins in the process? They have time to mix it up at the top of the East if so. Reigning Coach of the Year Tyrone Marshall has plenty to daydream about as they settle in for a bye in Matchweek 19.
Last match: 1-0 win vs. Huntsville City FC
Next match: at Inter Miami II on Sunday, July 27
