Season Two For MLS Next Pro Is In The Books
MLS Next Pro has started its history off really well. Its first season in 2022 could not have gone better for the league as a team with deep history within the United States’s 2nd team was able to take home the title. Then, that team moved a ton of players into MLS and their first team and playing key minutes. That same team, Columbus Crew 2 made it to back to back finals this season, hosting Austin FC II. However, things did not go great for Columbus, but did for the “Baby Verde”.
MLS Next Pro saw Austin FC II take down the Columbus Crew 2 in the 2023 version of the MLS Next Pro Cup. Led by eventual MLS Next Pro Cup MVP Valentin Noel, Austin FC II took home some silverware in their first year of existence. We should get used to seeing this over the next few years of the USA's newest 3rd division league. There is a lot of talent within the U.S. and many of these young players just need minutes/opportunities to succeed. We saw the talent that Austin FC has within their system after this team went on the road for ALL of their MLS Next Pro Cup Playoff games and took down Columbus Crew 2 by the score of 3-1 in the final.
Columbus Crew 2 did get the game started though, shortly after the half when Thomas Roberts put home a penalty kick past Damian Las. Crew 2 had the lead for about 20 minutes, and probably felt pretty good about things. But, in the 70th minute another PK was set up… this time for Austin FC. Alonso Ramirez would hit a slow roller past Crew 2 keeper Stanislav Lapkes to tie things up 1-1. Austin FC II would be on the attack from this point on. Only 7 minutes later, captain Valentin Noel would be given space at the top of the box and hit home a goal past the diving keeper. THEN, only another 3 minutes later, Austin FC II kept the pressure on and fed balls into Crew 2’s box. A ball that was crossed in by winger CJ Fodrey would end up finding a Crew 2 defender trying to clear it… but unfortunately finding the back of his own net. Austin FC II would ride this game out to the final whistle, and end up raising the trophy.
Their captain Valentin Noel was easily their best player this season, combining for an 8 goal & 4 assist season. The 24 year old was drafted by Austin FC in the MLS SuperDraft this season, but eventually signed a one year deal with Austin FC II. Scoring the game winning goal in this final, this is a clear case that he (and obviously others on this roster) could make an impact on the 1st team. It wouldn’t surprise me if we saw players like; Valentin Noel, Damian Las, Joe Hafferty, and David Rodriguez bulking up an Austin FC roster in MLS.
I want to congratulate Austin FC II on being champions of the MLS Next Pro in 2023. Also, a congratulations to Colorado Rapids 2 on taking home the MLS Next Pro Regular Season title as well. Jumping from year one to year two, we saw the amount of young talent in MLS systems flourish. And I can only imagine that going into year three, we will get to know even more of the young stars within Austin, Colorado, Columbus, and even more clubs around the United States.
