New York Red Bulls II and Colorado Rapids 2 went head-to-head in an intense matchup in the MLS Next Pro Cup Final, with the Red Bulls II ultimately coming through with a 3-1 victory in the penalty shootout (after a 3-3 draw) at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
On Saturday night, the Eastern Conference Champions (Red Bulls II) and the Western Conference Champions (Rapids 2) went head-to-head in the winner-take-all final.
The top-seeded Red Bulls II recently defeated their regional rivals, Philadelphia Union II, to secure the Eastern Conference title.
As the third seed, Colorado Rapids 2 upset second-seeded The Town FC in the Conference Semifinals before defeating MNUFC2 2-1 to claim the Western Conference Championship.
New York started on the front foot, applying aggressive pressure from the opening whistle.
Rapids’ goalkeeper Zackory Campagnolo (No. 51) came up with an early, crucial save to deny a Red Bulls lead.
Red Bulls forwards Roald Mitchell (No. 33) and Victor Manosalvas (No. 70) tested the keeper repeatedly but couldn’t convert their early chances.
Rapids’ Mamadou Billo Diop (No. 40) opened the scoring in the 34th minute with a clever touch, assisted by Stevie Flores (No. 53).
Despite the Red Bulls II’s dominance in possession, the Rapids doubled their lead in first-half stoppage time (45+1′) with a goal from James Cameron (No. 35) to take a commanding 2-0 lead into the break.
Despite a rough first half for New York, the stadium stayed electric. Red Bulls fans didn’t lose hope too early in this playoff game.
It was a clear power battle between the teams heading into the second half, with strong defense from the Rapids, skating on their momentum from a successful first half, not looking to easily give up their lead.
But with the Red Bulls II replacing Matthew Dos Santos (No. 56) for Curtis Ofori (No. 24), Ofori made an immediate impact, providing the secondary assist to Rafael Mosquera (No. 79) for the Red Bulls’ first goal in the 65th minute. Midfielder Nate Worth provided the primary assist.
Roald Mitchell from Montclair, NJ scored in the 67th minute to bring the Red Bulls II back up to tie the match with an assist from #39 midfielder Nehuén Benedetti.
In the 78th minute, substitute Antony García (No. 19) put Colorado back ahead, 3-2. However, only moments later, Mosquera (No. 79) coolly converted a penalty kick in the 81st minute to level the match again at 3-3.
Both teams fought hard to the 90-minute mark, pushing the playoff match into extra time.
The first-ever MLS NEXT Pro Cup to go into extra time was split into two 15-minute halves. During the period, Roald Mitchell was replaced by Mijahir Jiménez (No. 91).
Despite the extra time, the game was taken into penalty kicks to try and determine a victor in this playoff match, with the New York Red Bulls II coming out on top against Colorado.
The Red Bulls II dominated the penalty shootout, winning 3-1 after goalkeeper Austin Causey’s heroics, to secure the title.
Red Bulls II head coach Michael Bradley reflected on the team’s determination.
The mentality of the players of the group has been incredible. Even on a big night, when everything did not go perfectly, they kept playing, they kept competing. They weren’t phased. They kept at it together. When you have to do that for 120 minutes, both against Chicago and now tonight, that shows a part of the resiliency, especially mental resiliency, physical resiliency. In all ways, we’re really, really proud of the group.
Red Bulls II captain Adri Mehmeti described the emotion of lifting the MLS NEXT Pro Cup.
Nah, it’s crazy feelings, a lot of emotions. A big moment for me, obviously and for Ibra (Sekagya) and Michael (Bradley) to have the trust in me, to make me Captain at 16 years old, at such a young age, it’s a big responsibility, and I think I’ve handled it very well, and that’s going to give me a lot of experience going forward.
Red Bulls II goalkeeper Austin Causey described what went through his mind during the penalty shootout and what it felt like to win it.
It was mostly trying to get in their head as much as I could. In that moment, I said I need you to just put your head down, focus on your kick, bury it, and I just need one save. The first one was great. Hit off the post. It hit off my head. So I guess I’ll count that as a save. Then I saved the last shot. Just disbelief, seeing the lights change colors, everybody starts running at you, and I didn’t really know where to run, so I just ran to the closest corner. It was truly a great feeling. It’s a really great feeling.
Red Bulls II Midfielder Nate Worth described the team’s mentality after going down 2-0.
It was tough for sure, just because we had a decent first half and to concede the way we did, was definitely tough to take. But at the end of the day, we played our whole season for this final. We’re not just going to roll over and let them beat us at home in front of all these fans. So at halftime, everybody’s lifting each other up. Obviously some frustration, but we knew we had another 45 and we scored plenty of goals in 45 minutes before so we knew that anything was possible.
Worth also described the fan support at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
For me, honestly, it’s one of those games you don’t need too much motivation for. Every kid dreams of playing finals. And Sports Illustrated Stadium with 10,000 people, so it’s pretty cool. Being in this kind of atmosphere there’s not much more that I need to keep me pushing till the final whistle.
Red Bulls II forward Rafael Mosquera scored two goals in the final and was named the Most Valuable Player of the match.
This victory gives the Red Bulls their second title in the franchise’s history, and they are the second team from the Eastern Conference to ever win the MLS NEXT Pro Cup.
