Approaching the halfway mark of the season, we’re beginning to see a little consistency in the Top 10 Power Rankings.
But that definitely mean there weren’t surprises and drama to be found in this week's matches.
Western Conference leaders Ventura County FC endured the highs and lows of a thrilling rivaly win and a close-margin loss in a busy two-match week.
In the East, Philadelphia Union II won a grudge match with Columbus Crew 2 with a dominant 3-0 win in their first meeting since last year's conference final.
Read more about how the Power Rankings shook out after Matchweek 9 below.
Another successful week maintaining first place in the league.
It was fair to wonder how Chattanooga FC would respond to their first defeat of the season two weeks ago, but that’s firmly in the rearview and hardly worth a thought with to the two-game unbeaten streak they've put together on the bounce.
Is it too early to say it's a sprint to wrapping up a playoff clinch from here on out?
Last match: 2-1 win at Toronto FC II
Next match: at Huntsville City FC on Saturday, May 17
Huntsville City FC extended their unbeaten streak to six over the weekend.
The last team to beat them? This weekend’s opponent Chattanooga FC. Circle this as the must-see match of the round.
Last match: 0-0 tie, SOW at Carolina Core
Next match: vs. Chattanooga FC on Saturday, May 17
In a scoreless tie against Houston Dynamo 2, there weren’t many fireworks to speak of, which is a credit to the Colorado Rapids 2 defense on one hand.
On the other, it leaves them on a two-game winless slide after winning four of five in April.
Will it be a season of streaks for Rapids 2?
Last match: 0-0 tie, SOL at Houston Dynamo 2
Next match: vs. Real Monarchs on Sunday, May 18
Dynamo Dos earning the shootout point made them the happier side after the nil-nil contest against Colorado Rapids 2.
Like their weekend opponent, it’s about breaking a skid of back-to-back winless matches looking ahead. They'll also be looking for a new production leader to step up in the weeks to come after losing captain and production leader Diego Gonzalez for an extended period with injury.
They have control of second place in the West and should be in great shape to return to the playoffs when they find that answer.
Last match: 0-0 tie, SOW vs. Rapids 2
Next match: at North Texas SC on Sunday, May 18
A quality win in a replay of last year’s Eastern Conference Final shows Union II maintain a significant unit of power in the East.
They’re still looking up a bit in the standings, though, and will want to string more wins together to improve upon their fourth-place status.
After a dominant showing, Union II will have to manage a rest vs. rust with a BYE in Matchweek 10.
Last match: 3-0 win vs. Columbus Crew 2
Next match: vs. Inter Miami II on Sunday, May 25
The defending MLS NEXT Pro Cup champs enjoyed a BYE week in Matchweek 9.
North Texas SC return looking to extend a two-game winning streak with in-state bragging rights on the line.
Last match: 1-0 win at MNUFC2
Next match: vs. Houston Dynamo 2 on Sunday, May 18
A lopsided loss at the Town FC was not exactly what the scoreboard would suggest for St Louis CITY2.
A first-team studded lineup for TTFC included the San Jose Earthquakes club-record designated player Hernán López and seven-year MLS veteran Paul Marie getting rehab minutes in respective injury recoveries. Naturally, very difficult to compete with, but a situation that can happen on any given week in MLS NEXT Pro.
But it’s one to shake off nonetheless. Can head coach David Critchley rally the troops for a strong response?
Last match: 4-0 loss at The Town FC
Next match: vs. MNUFC2 on Sunday, May 18
An absolute heartbreaker in the U.S. Open Cup left the Tacoma Defiance with a 3-2 loss in a very, very close contest with the Portland Timbers first team.
In league terms, the Defiance were on a BYE and return to action on a three-game winning streak.
It'll be interesting to see where that combo leaves Hervé Diese's side momentum-wise when they open up Matchweek 10.
Last match: 3-2 loss vs. Portland Timbers (USOC)
Last league match: 4-1 win vs. St Louis CITY2
Next match: at Whitecaps FC 2 on Wednesday, May 14
A two-game Matchweek offered an emotional rollercoaster for Ventura County FC fans.
It started with a thrilling rivalry win over LAFC2, where LA Galaxy Academy star Dylan Vanney won the game on a direct free kick in the 84th minute.
And ended with an upset loss to Austin FC II, who broke a six-game winless run on them.
They still lead the Western Conference after those ups and downs, and that's a great position to be in after Matchweek 9.
Last match: 1-0 loss vs. Austin FC II
Next match: at Whitecaps FC 2 on Sunday, May 18
MNUFC2 also had a BYE in Matchweek 9.
They return to action this weekend looking to respond to their first loss of the season.
Last match: 1-0 loss vs. North Texas SC
Next match: vs. St Louis CITY2 on Sunday, May 18.
