MLS NEXT Pro Conference Semifinals: Four Spots, Eight Dreamers, One Goal

The road to the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Cup is heating up — and the Conference Semifinals are about to deliver chaos, goals and drama. Four matches spread across Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 25–26) will decide who moves one step closer to lifting the trophy.

Due to the league’s unique Pick-Your-Opponent format, the top seeds had the power to choose their destiny. In the West, St. Louis CITY2 — the league’s top overall seed — picked Minnesota United FC 2, while over in the East, New York Red Bulls II chose to take on Chicago Fire FC II. The rest? Pure firepower waiting to clash as we break down the conference semfinals.

Eastern Conference: Heavy Hitters & High Scoring Chaos

Saturday, Oct. 25 – Subaru Park, 6 p.m. ET
It’s a matchup between two of the stingiest defenses in MLS NEXT Pro. Philadelphia Union II (No. 2) boasts the league’s second-best defensive record, while Huntsville City FC allowed the fewest goals in the regular season (32). Their lone 2025 meeting ended 2-2 — with Huntsville edging Philly on penalties. Expect a tactical chess match with playoff nerves at max.

Philadelphia will expect a big game from 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan, who has already broken through the youth ranks and is making waves in the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro season. He’s made 13 appearances so far, registering 6 goals and 5 assists, showcasing his knack for finding the final pass as well as the finish. 

Sunday, Oct. 26 – MSU Soccer Park, 7 p.m. ET
If you love goals, don’t blink. The top two scoring teams in the league go head-to-head as No. 1 Red Bulls II host No. 6 Chicago Fire FC II. Chicago actually outscored New York this season (69 to 68) — and even dropped a 9-2 bomb on them in July. Red Bulls took the series 2–1 overall, but the Fire come in red-hot and ready to shock the East again.

Western Conference: Goals, Grit and Revenge

Sunday, Oct. 26 – Energizer Park, 6 p.m. ET
St. Louis City is the definition of dominance — an 18-match unbeaten run and a plus-23 goal differential prove it. They’ve handled Minnesota United all year (two wins, one draw), and will look to keep that streak alive. But Minnesota already pulled off one road upset in Round 1, and they’d love nothing more than to silence the top seed again.

Sunday, Oct. 26 – PayPal Park, 9 p.m. ET
Two of the league’s most dangerous finishers face off — Billo Diop (Rapids 2, 14 goals) and Nonso Adimabua (Town FC, 13 goals). The Town handled Colorado 3-0 in their only regular season meeting, but the playoffs bring pressure. This one’s got “late-night goal fest” written all over it.

What’s Next

After this weekend’s slate of playoffs, the Conference Finals (Oct. 31 weekend) and the MLS NEXT Pro Cup Final (Nov. 7 weekend) will switch to a standard bracket. St. Louis CITY holds home-field advantage all the way to the title match if they can survive the semifinals since they're the top-seeded team.

Get ready for drama, dubs, and destiny — because the MLS NEXT Pro Cup chase is about to hit another level.