New York Red Bulls II are one game away from their second final in club history but a tough and direct Philadelphia Union 2 awaits them at Sports Illustrated Stadium on Saturday night. Head coach Michael Bradley has been delighted by his team’s offense, scoring 10 goals in their two knockout playoff games in 2025.
“The players have a really, really, good understanding of our ideas,” said Bradley to the media. “I think that has meant that when we’ve gotten into these big games in the playoffs, we’ve stepped on the field and played in a really good way.”
There’s no denying that Red Bulls II are heavy favorites to win MLS Next Pro Cup, after seeing the best team in the west eliminated last weekend. However, knockout games have a way of being the great equalizer, despite how the hosts have performed all year. Philly represents a different threat than the two previous opponents as a team that plays far more direct and vertical.
Along the way, Philadelphia has dispatched FC Cincinnati 2 and Huntsville City, both at home, in order to make the Eastern Conference Final. Now, they have to go on the road and take their game against a club that is not just confident but also playing some of the best soccer across the league.
“They’re a little bit more direct,” said Bradley about the opposition. “They’re a bit more vertical, they are going to look forward a bit faster. They have guys who run hard. Their attacking players, their 10’s, their strikers are mobile, dynamic, guys who take off and look to really threaten in those ways. We have a lot of respect for Philadelphia.”
While New York may know that the opposition is tough, the firepower they bring to this game is even more impressive. Roald Mitchell and Andy Rojas have been difficult to stop. Three players have had multi-goal games in the playoffs, adding to how dangerous the roster is when on offense. Expectations are that little will change in Red Bull II’s strategy, leaving a mighty task for Philadelphia, who scored just once last week against Huntsville.
“Everyone’s just playing with a different mentality,” said striker Mitchell. “I think we’re just trying to be consistent and as confident as we can.”
photo from New York Red Bulls II