The New York Red Bulls II Secure the 1 Seed With 2-1 Win Against Toronto FC II

Published: Sunday, October 5, 2025

by Thomas Kvalo

MONTCLAIR, N.J. – New York Red Bulls II (17-5-6) beat Toronto FC II (10-6-12) to secure the top seed in the MLS Next Pro Eastern Division. The result also means that Toronto has been eliminated from the playoffs.

NYRB II dominated early, pinning Toronto into their side of the pitch for the first 10 minutes. Some chances got close to going in, with notable opportunities from Matthew Dos Santos and Andy Rojas. With the former trying to swing a corner kick into the goal, and the latter shooting from range.

After the first 10 minutes, the visitors grew into the game, making it an equal matchup. While the Red Bulls were still dominating the position, TFC II were getting good breakaways, with some chances that could have seen them take the lead.

For the final 10 minutes of the 1st half, the Red Bulls retook control and looked likely to score. The crowd thought that right back, Juan Mina had done, as he bombed down the wing and into the box, but his shot missed just to the side of the post.

After seven shots in the 1st half, none of them could grab the lead for the home team. They had many good chances, but coach Michael Bradley went into halftime pondering how they had not found the back of the net yet.

The 2nd half started a lot like the 1st, with the Red Bulls dominating. In the 53rd minute, Aidan Stokes had a great opportunity to put them up, but the shot drifted to the right of the goal.

It took 72 minutes of domination, but the NY Red Bulls II grabbed the lead after Rojas found space and rocketed the ball into the top corner. A perfectly timed ball over the top from Mijahir Jiménez found the feet of Rojas, who was able to run with it.

Toronto FC II looked good after the goal, piling on the pressure, trying to keep their season alive. It worked as they made it all square in the 83rd minute, with an impressive strike from Michael Sullivan.

Just as the visitors gained momentum, the NYRB II grabbed the lead again with a second goal from Rojas; this strike was more impressive than the last. Cutting in from the left side, he found some space outside the box and fired it past the goalkeeper. The goal put it out of reach for Toronto FC II.

With this victory, the NY Red Bulls II beat out the Philadelphia Union II for the top spot in the Eastern Division. Therefore, they will welcome Carolina Core FC to Montclair after the international break.

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

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