Match Information:
MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs: Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
Date: Sunday October 19, 2025
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET
Location: MSU Soccer Park (Montclair, NJ)
Watch: **Apple TV-MLS Season Pass**
SOCIAL TAGS:
Instagram: carolinacorefc
X: NYRBII
Instagram: nyrb2
Match Overview
Carolina Core FC: 8th seed in Eastern Conference
New York Red Bulls II: 1st seed in Eastern Conference
CCFC vs NYRBII All-Time (Regular Season): 1-1-1 (6 GF, 5 GA)
Carolina Core FC visits New York Red Bulls II in the club's first playoff appearance in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. The game will be livestreamed on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 pm ET.
STORYLINES
Picked For Playoffs
Carolina Core FC went unbeaten in five of its last six games to make a final push into an Eastern Conference playoff spot, coming down to the wire on Decision Day. The battle-tested Foxes endured a league-high 10 penalty kick shootouts this season, winning five of them. After narrowly missing out in its inaugural season, CCFC bounced back in a big way, claiming the eighth and final playoff spot to clinch the club's first-ever playoff berth. The Foxes, who secured a spot in the MLS NEXT Pro postseason on Decision Day, were selected by No. 1 seed New York Red Bulls II during the league’s “Pick-Your-Opponent” call.
Player to Watch
Goalkeeper Alex Sutton has been a stalwart between the sticks for Carolina Core FC during the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro season. Sutton ranks fourth in the Eastern Conference in clean sheets (6) and fifth in goalkeeper saves (79). The 25-year-old has served as a mainstay for The Foxes this season, serving as the only player to start every match. Sutton will look to carry on his regular season form against Eastern Conference regular season champions, New York Red Bulls II, in the club's first playoff matchup on the road.
Red Bulls Get Wings
New York Red Bulls II had a thrilling Decision Day finale against Toronto FC II, which saw them clinch the number one overall seed in the Eastern Conference. The team was led by forward Andy Rojas, who scored both the opener and match-winning goal to secure Red Bulls II's place at the top of the standings. Rojas has contributed five goals and two assists on the season, despite starting just 18 games for the New York-based side. Red Bulls II set multiple records this season both internally and league-wide, as they recorded 58 points, which is the most in club history, and scored 68 goals, which is the most in a single season for the MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference and second-most all time in MLS NEXT Pro history.
