Columbus Crew 2 returned to the MLS NEXT Pro Cup Final for the second straight year, facing off against Austin FC II on Sunday at Lower.com Field. Despite the Black & Gold taking the lead in the second half, Austin came away with a 3-1 victory to be crowned 2023 MLS NEXT Pro champions. 

The first half played out evenly, with the Crew 2 edging possession with 51.5 percent of the ball. Although possession was fairly even, Columbus created the most danger with four shots on goal to Austin’s two.

In the fourth minute, Black & Gold midfielder Thomas Roberts looked to break open in the center of the field, but Austin defender Joe Hafferty was able to make the tackle and break up the play. Hafferty was shaken up on the tackle and required attention from the training staff. Due to MLS NEXT Pro rules, Haffery had to leave the field for a minute.

Crew 2 looked to attack, having a man advantage. In the seventh minute, midfielder Taha Habroune was able to push the ball out wide to wing back Noah Fuson, who then crossed the ball into the penalty box. Fuson’s cross created havoc as forward Mateo Bunbury and goalkeeper Damian Las went up for the ball and Las could not come down with clean possession. The danger quickly subsided as Austin was able to clear the ball off the parry from Las.

In the 17th minute, midfielder Christo Vela got a chance for the visitors after a Crew 2 turnover in the midfield. Vela ripped a shot from long range, forcing goalkeeper Stas Lapkes to fully extend to his left and knock the ball away. Lapkes could not clear the ball far and had to scramble to jump on it as Austin crashed the 18-yard box to try and keep the chance alive. 

The Black & Gold had the first clear chance in the 27th minute when Lapkes played the ball forward to Habroune, who could not get to the pass, but the ball continued on to forward Gibran Rayo. Rayo dribbled the ball at the defense, committing players toward him before laying the ball off to Roberts toward the center of the pitch. Roberts calmly found wing back Clay Holstad, who was unmarked running into the penalty box. Holstad’s shot was on target but blocked by Las. 

In the 36th minute, Columbus midfielder Marco Micaletto went down in the 18-yard box after taking on a defender. Referee Calin Radosav deemed the ball got away from Micaletto and that he went down too soft. Micaletto got another chance in the 38th minute after Habroune settled a cleared cross outside the penalty box. The teenager found Micaletto, who smashed a shot at goal, but Las put out a strong right arm to knock the ball away from goal. 

Crew 2 continued to pressure after halftime, winning a corner kick in the 47th minute. The set piece did not create any immediate danger but Rayo was able to hold on to possession in the 18-yard box after a couple blocked shots. Rayo found Fuson, who put a move on defender Cheick Toure, who then stuck a foot out and took Fuson down. Roberts stepped up to take the penalty kick and sent Las, the MLS NEXT Pro Goalkeeper of the Year, the wrong way, putting the Black & Gold up 1-0 in the 49th minute.

Forward Mateo Bunbury was off to the races in the 55th minute down the left flank, beating his defender and running toward goal from midfield. Bunbury decided to take on the goalkeeper by himself, ignoring the wide-open run by Roberts. Bunbury nearly dribbled around Las but was unable to put the ball in the net. 

Austin pulled level through a penalty kick in the 68th minute when Columbus defender Abdi Mohamed was deemed to clip midfielder Valentin Noel in the penalty box. Midfielder Alonso Ramirez stepped up to take the penalty and sent Lapkes the wrong way via a stutter step. After the match head coach Laurent Courtois said he did not think it was a penalty. 

Noel got his goal in the 77th minute after receiving the ball at the top of the 18-yard box from winger CJ Fodrey. The right-footed shot from outside the penalty area was lasered in, not giving Lapkes any chance. 

Three minutes later, Austin added a third goal when Fodrey sent a cross into the six-yard box. Lapkes could not claim the ball and defender Diego Almeida attempted to clear the ball but sent it in his own net. Forward Sebastien Pineau was lurking behind Almeida. 

Holstad got another chance from way outside the 18-yard box after Las punched a ball out and away. Holstad attempted to loop the ball over everyone but was off target. 

Austin’s staunch defense shut down any further chance from the Black & Gold besides a stoppage time chance from forward Coleman Gannon. 

A successful season of youth development

Over the last few weeks, Courtois has echoed how proud he has been of his team and that they have exceeded expectations. After the match, Courtois said, “Win or lose the final, it doesn’t change that it has been incredible”. 

Columbus reached this final much differently than last season. Of the 47 players that saw the field for Crew 2 this season, 14 were from the club’s academy. Courtois considered the league positively, saying it enriches an MLS Pro side. “We think we did everything we could in order to provide a better academy kids to the next level. This is what this platform is about.” 

The starting 11 for this season’s MLS NEXT Pro Cup Final was almost two and a half years younger on average than last year’s group. With an average age of 20.81, Columbus had five teenagers start, three were from the Crew Academy.