Red Bulls II Win Dramatic Shootout in MLS Next Pro Cup

Published: Saturday, November 8, 2025

by Thomas Kvalo

HARRISON, N.J. – The New York Red Bulls II (17-5-6) go all the way and win the MLS Next Pro cup against the Colorado Rapids 2 (15-5-8) in an action-packed affair on Saturday night.

The first big chance came in the seventh minute, when Roald Mitchell was played through and danced past the last defender. Mitchell’s first shot was saved by Colorado’s goalie Zackory Campagnolo. The ball bounced back to him, but he was unable to put the header on target.

Another chance fell to Mitchell around the tenth minute, but his attempt was saved again. These chances NYRB II got in quick succession made it clear that the home side wanted to get on the scoresheet early. He even made it a hat-trick of big chances with his header at the left post in the 17th minute, which just missed the net.

The Red Bulls’ dominance continued into the middle portion of the first half until the visitors got a counterattack. The ball was flung into the box, where Mamadou Diop flicked it over the goalkeeper and between the posts, putting Colorado ahead 1-0.

Things turned even more sour as a one-goal deficit doubled right before halftime. They might have thought they could go into the break one goal down, but a corner kick found James Cameron, who continued his great playoff form.

Everyone at Sports Illustrated Stadium was expecting the Red Bulls II to come out hungry to close the deficit early. It seemed that would be the case, with Andy Rojas having a big chance within the first minute of play. Unfortunately for the home side, this would be the only effort anywhere close to goal in the first 15 minutes of the second half.

It had looked so bleak for NYRB II, but it all turned around in the span of one minute. In the 66th minute, Rafael Mosquera found their first of the game, and Mitchell quickly followed suit, tying the game at 2-2 and filling the stadium with new life.

A game that looked just about over was sent into chaos after this, with both teams going all out on offense. Substitute Antony Garcia thought he had won it for the Rapids II with a pearl from outside the box in the 78th minute, but the Red Bulls II answered straight away to even it back up at 3-3.

From kickoff, they went down the other side and won a penalty, which was buried by Mosquera, his second of the game.

With how the second half had played out, the game was destined for overtime. There were some chances still to be had, with Colorado getting the biggest one, having a free kick from just outside the box in the dying embers of the game, but neither team could find a winner.

Extra time came and went, and both teams seemed drained of energy. Not many chances for either team in overtime, the home team had a big one in the 116th minute, it was a shot from substitute Mijahir Jiménez, but the attempt was just barely saved.

After 120 minutes of playing, these teams could not be separated. So, the only way to separate them was with a penalty shootout. The hero in the end was goalie Austin Causey, who only conceded one out of four penalties, which saw the New York Red Bulls II crowned MLS Next Pro II Cup champions.

Thomas Kvalo can be reached at thomas.kval@student.shu.edu 

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