Both Clubs Advance to League Final for First Time After Shutting Out Opponents in Conference Finals
Cavan Sullivan Scored First Professional Playoff Goal in Union II Win, Becoming Youngest-Ever Scorer in League Playoff History
MLS NEXT Pro announced today that the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Cup will be held Saturday, November 9, with Western Conference Champion North Texas SC (No. 1 seed) hosting Eastern Conference Champion Philadelphia Union II (No. 2 seed) at Toyota Stadium (8:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass). Both Clubs will compete in MLS NEXT Pro Cup for the first time in their three-year histories after both shut out their opponents in the Conference Finals Saturday night.
In the West, top overall seed North Texas SC made its Conference Final debut Saturday, dueling with No. 2 St Louis CITY2, who returned to the Western Finals after previously appearing in 2022. After an intense scoreless 90 minutes of regulation, North Texas’ offense came alive in extra time, eventually besting CITY2, 3-0.
In the East, Union II cruised past two-time defending Eastern Conference Champions, Columbus Crew 2 (No. 7 seed), 4-0, in Philadelphia’s first appearance in a Conference Final. Fifteen-year-old Cavan Sullivan notched his first professional playoff goal in the victory, becoming the youngest player to ever score in the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs.
Philadelphia, Columbus and St Louis were three of only five teams in MLS NEXT Pro to participate in the Playoffs every season since the League launched in 2022, while Crew 2 is the only Club in the League to compete in the Conference Finals every year.
The 2024 edition of MLS NEXT Pro Cup will be the first without Columbus, who appeared in the previous two League Finals. Crew 2 defeated St Louis CITY2 in 2022 to capture the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro Cup and finished runner-up to champion Austin FC II in 2023.
The 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Cup will air live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV and will feature an enhanced broadcast. Josh Eastern will provide play-by-play and will be joined by analyst Ricky Lopez-Espin in the booth. Jalil Anibaba and Michelle Montaine will provide coverage on the sidelines.
Tickets for the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Cup at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas are available for purchase online.
Conference Final Results:
North Texas SC put on an impressive display on both ends of the pitch in a 3-0 victory over St Louis CITY2 on Saturday. The League’s 2024 Goalkeeper of the Year, Michael Collodi, produced one heroic save after another to keep the match goalless throughout regulation. In extra time his offensive counterparts Anthony Ramirez, Pedrinho and Henry Scott found their stride to secure the 3-0 victory and advance to MLS NEXT Pro Cup.
Earlier on Saturday, Philadelphia Union II booked its first trip to the MLS NEXT Pro Cup with a statement victory over inaugural MLS NEXT Pro Cup champions and defending Eastern Conference Champions, Columbus Crew 2. Union II’s appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals was highlighted by 15-year-old Cavan Sullivan scoring his first professional playoff goal with a 42nd minute stunner to give Union II a 2-0 advantage heading into halftime. The hosts left nothing to chance with a 4-0 victory; Markus Anderson’s Man of the Match performance saw him net a brace, while captain Frankie Westfield added a goal for the Union just after halftime in the 56th minute.
Previous MLS NEXT Pro Cup Results:
2023: Austin FC II defeated Columbus Crew 2, 3-1
2022: Columbus Crew 2 defeated St Louis CITY2, 4-1
