Matchweek 20 delivered the goods, with plenty of exciting matches and performances across MLS NEXT Pro.
Eastern Conference leaders Columbus Crew 2 was pushed to the limit, earning a shootout win over New England Revolution II, who rejoin the Top 10 Power Rankings this week.
Out West, Houston Dynamo 2 earned its third consecutive victory and continues to challenge in-state rival Austin FC II for the top spot in the rankings.
Let’s take a look at who else made the cut heading into Matchweek 21:
Austin FC II got a much-deserved break during Matchweek 20 and currently shares the number one spot with Houston Dynamo 2 atop the Western Conference standings.Â
They'll look to bounce back from their loss to MNUFC2 when they travel to Canada to face off against Whitecaps FC 2.
Last match: 3-2 loss vs. MNUFC2
Next match: at Whitecaps FC 2 on 07/22
The home cooking continues to work for Houston Dynamo 2, which reeled off its third consecutive home win with a victory over Colorado Rapids 2 this past weekend.
Twenty-one-year-old Brazilian midfielder Dohmann scored his second goal of the season, while Dynamo Academy midfielder Dylan Reyes added his first professional goal in their 2-1 win.
The result extended Dynamo 2’s home unbeaten streak to seven matches, a run that will be put to the test when Houston hosts in-state foe Austin FC II on July 26.
Last match: 2-1 vs. Colorado Rapids 2
Next match:Â vs. Austin FC II on 07/26
Crown Legacy FC got back in the win column this week with a 3-2 victory over Chicago Fire II.
Nimfasha Berchimas helped get things started in the 33rd minute, providing the assist on Nathan Richmond’s opening goal.
The assist marked Berchimas’ third of the season and brought him to 11 goal contributions on the year.
Ecuadorian forward Michael Ayovi added CLFC’s second goal, his first since joining them back in April.
After Fire II tied things up at two apiece in the second half, Academy defender Wyatt Holt recorded his first career goal, scoring the winner to lift Crown Legacy to all three points.
The result keeps CLFC just two points off the first spot in the East with a game in hand.
Last match:3-2 vs. Chicago Fire II
Next match: at Red Bull NY II on 07/24
Red Bull New York II took another road loss this weekend, falling to CT United for the second time this season behind a Player of the Matchweek performance from Dylan Lacy.
Lacy scored a brace in CT United’s 2-1 win over RBNY II, while Dennis Nelich scored Red Bull New York II’s lone goal, his sixth of the season.
A home matchup against Crown Legacy FC is up next for RBNY II.
Last match: 2-1 loss at CT United
Next match:Â vs. Crown Legacy FC on 07/24
Columbus Crew 2 made it nine games unbeaten after their 2-0 win over Union II in Matchweek 20 action.
Jamil Danjaji and Johann Chirinos got on the board for Crew 2, helping them keep the number one spot in the East with the win.
Thanks to his goal, Danjaji earned the Rising Star award for Matchweek 20.
Crew 2 will look to sweep the season series against Connecticut United when they face off this Sunday.
Last match: 2-0 win vs. Philadelphia Union II
Next match: at CT United on 07/26
Timbers2 moved up to third place in the Western Conference with their 2-1 win over St Louis CITY2 last Sunday.
The victory marked the first time in their MLS NEXT Pro history that Timbers2 defeated CITY2 at Energizer Park.
A matchup against Real Monarchs is next for Timbers2. Both sides have split a win in their two meetings this season.
Last match: 2-1 at St Louis CITY2
Next match: vs. Real Monarchs on 07/26
Orlando City B grabbed the extra point in a 4-3 shootout victory over Chattanooga FC this weekend, moving into third place in the Eastern Conference.
OCB jumped ahead early thanks to a Pedro Leão goal but saw the lead slip away midway through the second half, sending the match to a shootout.
Eighteen-year-old goalkeeper Juan Rojas came up big, stopping Farid Sar-Sar’s attempt to secure the two points on the road.
OCB will now host a Huntsville City FC side it defeated back in June as it looks to make it five games unbeaten on Sunday.
Last match: 1-1 tie, 4-3 SOW at Chattanooga FC
Next match: vs. Huntsville City FC on July 26
Chattanooga FC fought valiantly but could only come away with one point at home, falling in a shootout to Orlando City B.
Steeve Louis-Jean scored CFC’s lone goal of the match, thanks to Tate Robertson’s fifth assist of the season.
Chattanooga FC will now put its seven-game unbeaten run on the line against Philadelphia Union II when Union II visits Finley Stadium on Saturday.
Last match: 1-1 tie, 4-3 SOL vs. Orlando City B
Next match: vs. Phialdephia Union II on 07/25
Atlanta United 2 couldn’t make it three wins in a row this weekend, falling 2-0 to Huntsville City FC.
ATL UTD 2 created plenty of chances throughout the match but failed to put a shot on goal across their 14 attempts.
They’ll have a chance to bounce back on Sunday when they match up against NYCFC II.
Last match: 2-0 loss at Huntsville City FC
Next match: vs. NYCFC II on 07/23
New England Revolution II rejoin the Top 10 Power Rankings after walking away with a point against Columbus Crew 2.
A stoppage-time goal from sixteen-year-old Matthew Jean Baptiste helped tie the match and send it to a shootout, where Revs II fell 4-3.
Revs II will stay in sixth place in the East, only three back of third-place Orlando City B.
Their next opponent will be an NYCFC II side they defeated by 3-2 back on May 10th.
Last match: 2-2 tie, 4-3 SOL vs. Columbus Crew 2
Next match: vs. NYCFC II on 07/23
