The defending MLS NEXT Pro champions almost didn't make it to the dance. Red Bull New York II had to go through Sunday's first-ever play-in round. They came from behind to beat Huntsville City FC 3-1.
Huntsville struck first through Zidane Yañez in the sixth minute. Then Mijahir Jiménez and Pedrinho Castro scored within three minutes of each other to flip it before halftime. Tanner Rosborough sealed it in the 89th.
Out West, it was chaos. San Jose Earthquakes II and Tacoma Defiance drew 3-3 after 90 minutes and 4-4 after extra time. Tomo Allen (San Jose) and Rafael Jauregui (Tacoma) each scored twice. Jermaine Spivey put San Jose ahead in extra time, and Landon Lucero equalized for Tacoma in the 110th minute. Goalkeeper Nathan Crockford then made two saves as the Quakes II won the shootout 3-1.
Quarterfinal schedule (ET, on OneFootball and MLSNEXTPro.com)
Fri, Oct. 16: (3) Atlanta United 2 vs. (7) CT United FC, 6 p.m.
Fri, Oct. 16: (2) Portland Timbers2 vs. (7) St. Louis CITY2, 10 p.m.
Fri, Oct. 16: (3) Ventura County FC vs. (5) MNUFC2, 10 p.m.
Sat, Oct. 17: (4) Columbus Crew 2 vs. (5) New England Revolution II, 3 p.m.
Sun, Oct. 18: (2) Chattanooga FC vs. (6) NYCFC II, 5 p.m.
Sun, Oct. 18: (1) Crown Legacy FC vs. (8) Red Bull New York II, 7 p.m.
Sun, Oct. 18: (4) Houston Dynamo 2 vs. (6) LAFC 2, 7 p.m.
Sun, Oct. 18: (1) Austin FC II vs. (8) San Jose Earthquakes II, 8:30 p.m.
Austin FC II have home field throughout as the No. 1 overall seed. The MLS NEXT Pro Cup is the weekend of Nov. 6.
This is the league where the next Julian Hall plays right now. Adri Mehmeti won this title with Red Bull II last year. A year later, he's in the USMNT.
