Rapids 2 Claim Western Conference Title, Advance to MLS NEXT Pro Cup Final
Colorado to Face Red Bulls II in First Championship Match Appearance
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — Colorado Rapids 2 punched their ticket to the MLS NEXT Pro Cup final with a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Minnesota United FC 2 in Sunday's Western Conference Final at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park.
The Rapids 2 will face top-seeded New York Red Bulls II in the championship match Saturday, November 8, at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET (5 p.m. MT) with coverage on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.
Alex Harris and James Cameron scored second-half goals to overturn Minnesota's halftime lead and send Colorado to its first MLS NEXT Pro Cup final in club history.
The road to the championship match tested Colorado at every turn. The Rapids 2 opened their playoff run with a 3-2 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps 2 in the conference quarterfinal. Sam Bassett, Antony García and Harris all scored in their MLS NEXT Pro playoff debuts.
Colorado then traveled to California to face The Town FC, the conference's No. 2 seed, in the semifinal. The match went to extra time tied 2-2 before García and Anderson Rosa each scored in stoppage time to secure a 4-2 victory and send the Rapids 2 to the conference final.
Sunday's Western Conference Final saw Colorado overcome another deficit. After Minnesota scored in the first half, Harris equalized early in the second half before Cameron netted the winner in the 64th minute to claim the conference championship.
The Rapids 2 will face their toughest test yet in New York. The Red Bulls II secured the Eastern Conference's top seed in the regular season and have continued their dominance in the playoffs, outscoring opponents 12-6 through three matches. RBNY II advanced to the final with a 2-1 victory over Philadelphia Union II on Friday, with forward Roald Mitchell scoring twice.
Saturday marks the first meeting between the two clubs and the first time Colorado has faced an Eastern Conference opponent in franchise history. Both teams will be seeking their first MLS NEXT Pro championship.
2025 MLS NEXT PRO CUP FINAL
Colorado Rapids 2 at New York Red Bulls II
Saturday, November 8, 7 p.m. ET
Sports Illustrated Stadium, Harrison, N.J.