The New York Red Bulls II began their defense of their 2025 MLS NEXT Pro championship, with a 4-2 victory over Columbus Crew 2 at Sports Illustrated Stadium. This makes it four years in a row that Red Bulls II have won their season opener.
The Red Bulls II got on the scoreboard first in the fifth minute. Red Bulls Academy product and forward Tanner Rosborough one-timed a pass from Rafael Mosquera into the bottom right corner of the net.
In the 14th minute, Nehuen Benedetti came up limping near midfield and had to be subbed off for Deven Cadigan.
Columbus tied the match on Kevin Gbamblé’s shot that squeezed through Red Bulls II goalkeeper and Totowa, New Jersey-native Aidan Stokes.
New York regained the lead in the 29th minute when Columbus Crew 2 failed to clear a heading ball from Cadigan inside their own box. Montclair, New Jersey-native Roald Mitchell took control of the ball and fired a right-footed shot that beat Columbus Crew 2 goalkeeper Luke Pruter.
Five minutes later, Mosquera added his first goal of the season thanks to good passing from his teammates, which made it 3-1.
Mitchell made it a first half brace in the 44th minute when he tapped in a cross from Juan Mina in the six-yard box to make it 4-1.
Having scored three unanswered goals, the Red Bulls II were feeling good about their chances of winning. Then, Columbus’ Chase Adams scored one minute after the Red Bulls II’s fourth goal to make it 4-2.
In the 64th minute, Red Bulls II head coach Dominik Wohlert substituted Dennis Gjengaar in for Juan Mina on the backline. Four minutes later, Gjengaar caught up to Columbus forward Prince Forfor, rushing his shot that was grabbed by Stokes and avoiding a second unanswered goal.
Columbus nearly got their third goal in the 78th minute when Adams hit the woodwork with a free kick from the left wing. But the play wasn’t over.
A Columbus player got to the ball and crossed it into the 18-yard box and Stokes alertly caught the cross. He then threw the ball far up field to Cadigan who started dribbling towards goal. However, Adams caught up to Cadigan and with a sliding tackle knocked the ball away from Cadigan towards his own goal. Columbus goalkeeper Luke Pruter then barely cleared the ball before it rolled over the goal-line in what was an incredible bunch of plays.
The Crew 2 had one last shot on target during second half stoppage time. Defender Christopher Rogers headed a cross from a corner kick into the ground but straight at Stokes, who finished the match with seven saves, which is tied for the most he has made in a single match in his career.
After the game, Coach Wohlert credited his players for coming out with a high energy level and defeating Columbus Crew II in their first game of their title defense.
“Awesome, awesome feeling, really happy for all the guys. I think they put a shift in and it’s never that easy to know where you’re at first match day. And I think they did a good job. And really happy for them that they can get rewarded with three points. So all credit to them.”
Then, the man of the match Roald Mitchell credited coach Wohlert for his part in the win.
“Shoutout to coach, he keeps us going every training. I know we had three weeks, but he implemented the same identity as Michael [Bradley] did. We’re going off of that, and that result happens.”
The Red Bulls II’s next match is against Inter Miami CF II on March 8 at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
