Harrison, NJ – In a night that will be etched in New York Red Bulls II history, Head Coach Michael Bradley captured his first trophy as a coach, leading his young squad to a dramatic 3-3 (5-4 PKs) victory over Colorado Rapids 2 in the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Cup Final at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
The championship marked a full-circle moment for Bradley, who transitioned from decorated player to championship-winning coach in his first season at the helm.
From Two-Goal Deficit to Glory
The Red Bulls II faced adversity early, falling behind 2-0 in the first half. But the resilience that defined their season shone through as they mounted a spectacular comeback in front of nearly 10,000 supporters.
“The mentality of the players of the group has been incredible,” Bradley said postgame. “Even on a big night, when everything did not go perfectly, they kept playing, they kept competing. They weren’t phased. They kept at it together.”
The match required 120 minutes of gutsy, determined football before being decided in a penalty shootout, where goalkeeper Austin Causey emerged as the hero with a crucial save to seal the 5-4 victory.
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Captain’s Performance: Adri Mehmeti Shines
Sixteen-year-old captain Adri Mehmeti delivered a performance that justified Bradley’s faith in his young leader. The talented midfielder, who has elevated his game throughout the playoffs, embodied the team’s never-say-die attitude.
“I just told the boys, keep going. They don’t give up. Keep believing. Keep sticking together. And it all fall into place,” Mehmeti said of his halftime message to the team.
Bradley praised his captain’s growth: “Adri had a really good season, and I would say that in this last period of the season and in the playoffs, he raised his level even more. He’s a really talented young player with a big personality and a really good way with his teammates.”
Causey’s Clutch Moment
Austin Causey, who stepped into the starting role during the playoffs due to Aidan Stokes’ U17 World Cup duty, delivered when it mattered most. His penalty shootout heroics capped a stellar performance that included critical saves throughout regulation.
“I said I need you to just put your head down, focus on your kick, bury it, and I just need one save,” Causey recalled of his mindset. “The first one was great. Hit off the post. It hit off my head. Then I guess I saved it. Then I saved the last shot. Just disbelief.”
The goalkeeper’s composure under pressure reflected the team’s collective mentality. “We said to ourselves, we’re gonna come out in the second half and implement our way of play, the way we want to, the way we know we can, and we’ll ultimately bounce back,” he explained.
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Bradley’s Coaching Journey Reaches New Heights
For Michael Bradley, the victory represented the culmination of a daily process focused on player development and team building. The former USMNT captain, who won championships as a player, found new meaning in experiencing triumph from the sideline.
“It’s the part of when you’re on the inside of something with a group of people, with your teammates and your coaches. Now, as a coach, it’s your players and your staff and your support staff,” Bradley reflected. “In the end, when you get a big reward and you get to share a night like this together, that goes up there with any moment in my career.”
The first-year head coach emphasized the importance of the daily grind over focusing solely on end goals. “It’s the work every day. It’s the process, the environment that gets created, the training sessions, how you challenge and engage the players,” he said.
Michael is strongly believed to be the newest head coach of the Red Bulls New York first team. At this point its his job to turn down if he feels he is not ready for the jump.
Dominant Performance Despite Scoreline
The statistics told the story of Red Bulls II’s dominance. They outshot Colorado 32-13, registered 10 shots on target compared to seven, and controlled possession with an impressive 88.1% passing accuracy versus 67.2%. The Red Bulls also won the corner battle 9-3 and completed 835 passes to Colorado’s 308.
Forward Rafael Mosquera earned MVP honors for his performance, crediting his teammates for the individual recognition. “I think the effort my teammate and I put in was evident on the field,” Mosquera said.
Midfielder Nate Worth, who joined the team midseason, captured the significance of the moment: “It’s honestly an honor to be a part of it. It’s a memory I’ll remember for a long, long time.”
Mental Resilience Defines Champions
The comeback victory marked the second consecutive playoff match where Red Bulls II needed 120 minutes to advance, having previously defeated Chicago in a similar fashion. That mental and physical toughness became their trademark.
“When you have to do that for 120 minutes, both against Chicago and now tonight, that shows a part of the resiliency, especially mental resiliency, physical resiliency,” Bradley noted. “In all ways, we’re really, really proud of the group.“
Worth emphasized the team’s refusal to surrender: “We’re not just going to roll over and let them beat us at home in front of all these fans. We knew we had another 50-55 minutes, and we scored plenty of goals in 45 minutes before, so we knew that anything was possible.”
Looking Ahead
As the celebrations continue, Bradley’s Red Bulls II have established themselves as a model program for player development and competitive excellence. The championship validates the club’s investment in youth and the coaching staff’s commitment to building a winning culture.
For the young players who lifted the trophy, the experience will serve as a foundation for future success, whether in Harrison or beyond. And for Michael Bradley, the journey from player to championship-winning coach is just beginning.
“Tonight was the first time that I got to experience that,” Bradley said of watching his players celebrate. “And so that was really special.”
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