This weekend's Eastern Conference Semifinals bring two enticing matchups laden with storylines and emerging talents.
Higher-seeded clubs followed suit from last week in Pick-Your-Opponent choices, electing to face the lowest-seeded teams remaining. The Eastern Conference Quarterfinals brought a few surprises, and the Conference Semifinals offer more opportunities for ambitious players and clubs to make their mark.
Let's take a look at who's still fighting for an appearance in MLS NEXT Pro Cup.
While Union II dispatched a familiar foe in last round's 2-1 win over FC Cincinnati 2 last week, this Eastern Conference Semifinal presents a new challenge. Union II haven't faced Huntsville City FC since March 28. The fifth-seeded HCFC heads to Subaru Park off an impressive 2-0 win on the road over Chattanooga FC.
The league's best two backlines enter this matchup, with HCFC allowing the fewest goals in the 2025 and Union II allowing the second-fewest. Union II's Neil Pierre locked up Defender of the Year honors with his performances over the 2025 season.
Season series:
HNT 2-2 PHI (HNT 4-3 SOW) 3/28
Players to watch:
2025 MLS NEXT Pro Best XI selection **Alan Carleton** leads Huntsville's midfield with 12 goals and six assists. Forward Christian Koffi, also carrying great form, notched goal and assist to lead the charge at Chattanooga last week.
In Union II's ranks, 15-year-old phenom Cavan Sullivan continues to split his time between the first team and second team. He's often made a big difference in a Union II shirt with six goals and five assists, and if available, will provide a boost to the Union II attack. In Sullivan's potential absence **Stas Korzienowski** and Malik Jakupovic are the attacking threats to watch, each having breakout eight-goal seasons.
New York Red Bulls II wowed in a 5-1 first-round win last week over Carolina Core FC. Neheun Benedetti, Rafael Mosquera, and the rest of Red Bulls II's potent offense will now welcome Chicago Fire FC II to MSU Soccer Park. Red Bulls II coach Michael Bradley again went the traditional route of choosing the lowest-seeded opponent.
Fire II enter the matchup with an energizing previous-round win of a different kind: a gritty, 1-0 win over higher-seeded New England Revolution II.
These two teams have had three memorable matches this season, with first-teamer Ibrahim Kasule dropping in for a late winner early in the season and Fire II getting the better of most goals scored in an MLS NEXT Pro match in a 9-2 win over Red Bulls II over the summer. Sunday's high-stakes match is sure to deliver an exciting new chapter between the two clubs.
Season series:
Players to watch:
While Mike Matkovich's side showed defensive strength in the previous round, Fire II certainly does not lack in scoring ability. **Jason Shokalook** locked up the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Golden Boot with 20 goals. Fire II top the league in goals scored over the 2025 regular season.
Red Bulls II's affinity for putting the ball in the back of the net was on full display last weekend, with **Nehuén Benedetti** and Rafael Mosquera each scoring braces. Add in two incredible goals from 19-year-old Andy Rojas helped Red Bulls II lock up the top spot in the Eastern Conference in the regular-season finale, there's danger around every corner.
