Michael Bradley Leads Baby Bulls to Championship in Front of Record-Breaking Crowd of More Than 9,000 Fans
No. 1 New York Red Bulls II was crowned the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Cup Champions Saturday night after coming back from a two-goal second-half deficit. Tied 3-3 after 90 minutes, the Eastern Conference Champions forced the first extra time and shootout in MLS NEXT Pro Cup history, eventually besting No. 3 Colorado Rapids 2, 3-1, on penalties. An MLS NEXT Pro Cup record-breaking crowd of 9,095 fans were on-hand to witness the epic comeback at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, NJ.
New York Red Bulls II became the fourth champion in the four-year history of MLS NEXT Pro and is the second champion from the Eastern Conference. Saturday’s finale was the first time the two Clubs faced each other and was both teams’ first appearance in the championship match.
Despite a handful of chances for Roald Mitchell (RBNY) in the first half, the visitors struck first through Golden Boot contender Billo Diop (COL), who was the first to meet Stevie Flores’ (COL) low cross into the penalty area in the 34th minute (Watch Here). Diop’s touch on the ball floated past Red Bulls II goalkeeper Austin Causey (RBNY) to put Rapids 2 ahead, 1-0. Colorado kept the pressure on and was rewarded for their forward momentum when James Cameron (COL) latched onto a long throw by Alex Harris (COL) to fire another goal into the Red Bulls II net and increase the advantage to two goals heading into halftime (Watch Here).
Both teams came racing out of halftime, with each prodding the opposing defenses for opportunities. The hosts found a response in the 65th minute, as Nate Worth (RBNY) served up a gilt-edged opportunity for Playmaker of the Year Finalist Rafael Mosquera (RBNY) to become a goalscorer himself, as he found the back of the net to cut the lead to a single goal (Watch Here). Red Bulls II surged forward with the energy of the home crowd, as Mitchell (RBNY) pounced on a chance moments later in the 67th minute to level the match at 2-2 (Watch Here).
Rapids 2 was far from finished for the evening and took the lead again with a goal in the 78th minute by Antony Garcia (COL), bringing the scoreline to 3-2 (Watch Here). Mere minutes later, Worth was brought down in the Colorado penalty area to draw a penalty. Mosquera stepped up to convert the penalty and level the match yet again at 3-3, the sixth goal of the match and Mosquera’s second of the evening. Mosquera (4G 2A) and Mitchell (5G 1A) ended tied for most goal contributions of the 2025 Playoffs.
With no further goals to separate the sides at the end of regulation, the match went to two 15-minute extra time halves, the first time in MLS NEXT Pro Cup history. Neither team allowed tired legs to slow down the action, with each side continuing to play with intensity until the final moments. Still tied after 120 minutes, MLS NEXT Pro Cup was decided by a shootout for the first time in League history.
In the regular season, all ties in MLS NEXT Pro are decided by kicks from the mark, and that experience in shootout situations proved invaluable on the evening. Austin Causey (RBNY) was a wall in goal, saving one of Colorado’s attempts to help New York Red Bulls II win the penalty shootout, 3-1, to capture the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Cup.
Mosquera was named MLS NEXT Pro Cup MVP with his second half brace.
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
