RECAP: Top Seed Red Bulls II Open Playoffs, Beat Carolina Core, 5-1
In case you missed it, the New York Red Bulls are not going to the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2025.
But you know who is playing postseason soccer?
New York Red Bulls II won their first match of the MLS Next Pro playoffs last Sunday evening.
The Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at MSU Soccer Park saw the top seed NYRB II comfortably beat Carolina Core FC, 5-1.
MLS Next Pro is a third division professional soccer league, two levels below Major League Soccer.
Braces from Rafael Mosquera and Nehuen Benedetti, along with a goal from first team regular Roald Mitchell, were more than enough to get Red Bulls II the win.
Head coach Michael Bradley says his team knew what they wanted to do going into a huge game like last Sunday.
“Really, really proud of again, as an athlete, as a competitor, there’s nothing better than playing in the big games,” Bradley said.
“That’s why you play. So, for a bunch of young guys in that dressing room tonight, they played all year to now get into the playoffs and have a night like this. And you’re excited for them and proud of them when now they get their chance, and they can play like that.”
Unlike other playoff systems, Red Bulls II got to choose their opponent as the highest seed in the playoffs. Now that they advance, they will choose between Chicago Fire II or Huntsville City FC to play in Montclair this coming weekend.
The team is playing for its second-ever league title, having won the United Soccer League final in 2016.
First Half
NYRB II wasted no time getting offensive supremacy. The ball always seemed to be in motion in or around Carolina’s final third.
The scoring began when striker Roald Mitchell was brought down in the box by the Core’s Daniel Chica. It earned Chica a card, the first of many for the visitors who got more physical as the game went on. Rafael Mosquera converted from the penalty spot, knocking home a left-footed shot to the left corner to make it 1-0.
The scoring continued in the 34th as the press wore down Carolina. Nehuén Benedetti made it 2-0 off a Mitchell assist.
The goal came off a play down the right side of the field, an area New York would find much of its success from on the night.
“They were pretty tight to me. So I mean, I think it’s good that I just kind of created space for myself and created opportunities for myself,” Mitchell said of the Core’s defense.
“So I think just getting off them, getting off the back shoulder, and running them behind this game looks like more individual, and there won’t be one battle. I think that was the best part for me. So try to exceed my ability there.”
GOALS:
- 3′ (NYRB II) Rafael Mosquera (1) – Penalty Kick
- 34′ (NYRB II) Nehuen Benedetti (1), assist Roald Mitchell
CAUTIONS:
- 2′ (CC) Daniel Chica – YELLOW CARD
- 30′ (CC) Kai Thomas – YELLOW CARD
- 43′ (NYRB II) Rafael Mosquera – YELLOW CARD
- 44′ (CC) Antonio Pineda – YELLOW CARD
Second Half
The pressure didn’t ease up on the Core in the second half. Mitchell and Benedetti combined for back-to-back goals in the 47th and 48th minutes.
Matthew Dos Santos assisted Mitchell’s right-footed shot from outside the box.
The next assist came from NYRB returnee Nate Worth.
“Well, I am happy for that because I helped the team score twice,” said Benedetti.
“But yes, it is all of the group, a team effort.”
Mosquera scored his team’s final goal in the 80th minute. Adri Mehmeti set up Mosquera for his brace, as the Core backline looked completely out of sorts in front of the miniature South Ward at MSU.
Carolina Core found a consolation goal in the 82nd minute from Glory Nzingo, ruining Aiden Stokes’ clean sheet. It was one of only two shots on target that Core had gotten all game.
GOALS:
- 47′ (NYRB II) Roald Mitchell (1)
- 48′ (NYRB II) Nehuen Benedetti (2), assist Nate Worth
- 80′ (NYRB II) Rafael Mosquera (2), assist Adri Mehmetti
- 82′ (CC) Glory Nzingo (1), assist Anthony Sumo Jr.
CAUTIONS:
- 73′ (CC) Paul Leonardi – YELLOW CARD
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