New York Red Bulls II to host Colorado Rapids 2 as U.S. Soccer Legend Michael Bradley Leads RBNYII to Championship Match in First Season as a Head Coach
MLS NEXT Pro announced today that the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Cup will be held Saturday, November 8, with Eastern Conference Champion New York Red Bulls II hosting Western Conference Champion Colorado Rapids 2 at Sports Illustrated Stadium (7 p.m. ET). The matchup will see first-year head coach and U.S. Soccer legend Michael Bradley (RBNY) face off against 2023 MLS NEXT Pro Coach of the Year Erik Bushey (COL).
Both Clubs will compete in MLS NEXT Pro Cup for the first time. The winner will be the fourth championship team in the four years of the League, with 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Champion North Texas SC being eliminated in the Western Conference Quarterfinals last month and the 2023 (Austin FC II) and 2022 Champions (Columbus Crew 2) failing to qualify for this year’s Playoffs.
The 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Cup will air live with an enhanced broadcast on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. Josh Eastern will provide play-by-play and will be joined by analyst Calen Carr in the booth.
Conference Final Results:
With the winner earning the right to host MLS NEXT Pro Cup, No. 1 New York Red Bulls II – making the Club’s Conference Finals debut - hosted defending Eastern Conference Champion No. 2 Philadelphia Union II in the Eastern Conference Final on Saturday night. Both teams had chances in the first half, but it was Stas Korzeniowski (PHI) who put the visitors ahead in the 38th minute. With Union II holding on to the lead, New Jersey native Roald Mitchell (RBNY) stepped up for the hosts with a pair of second-half golazos (71’, 83’) to crown his Club as the 2025 Eastern Conference Champions.
On Sunday, No. 3 Colorado Rapids 2 returned to the Western Conference Finals for the second time in three years (2023) to host No. 5 MNUFC2 and needed a comeback victory of its own. MNUFC2 took the lead in the first half through Logan Dorsey’s 20th minute strike. The hosts found a route back into the match through Alex Harris (COL) in the 50th minute, and James Cameron (COL) notched the game winning goal in the 64th minute to send Rapids 2 to the Western Conference title and MLS NEXT Pro Cup.
Previous MLS NEXT Pro Cup Results:
2024: North Texas SC defeated Philadelphia Union II, 3-2
2023: Austin FC II defeated Columbus Crew 2, 3-1
2022: Columbus Crew 2 defeated St Louis CITY2, 4-1
