Brampton’s Jacen Russell-Rowe named MLS Next Pro league MVP

Brampton’s Jacen Russell-Rowe has been named MVP of the MLS Next Pro league after helping secure a 4-1 win over St. Louis at the MLS Next Pro Cup.

Goals from Russell-Rowe and Mississauga’s Telfer helped Columbus Crew 2 win the inaugural cup on Saturday.

St. Louis outshot Columbus 7-5 in the first half but only put one shot on target compared to three for Crew 2 and went into the break down 2-0.

Columbus pulled ahead with two late goals in the first half, and doubled the lead three minutes into stoppage time when St. Louis goalkeeper Michael Creek fumbled his low cross at the near post.

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St. Louis was unable to stop Russell-Rowe as the 21-year-old from Brampton slotted the ball in the corner of the goal in the 58th minute.

Russell-Rowe was named the league’s MVP on Friday after winning the Golden Boot Award with 21 goals in 19 games.

Crew 2 defeated visiting Toronto FC II 4-3 after extra time in the Eastern Conference final last Sunday, and the team TFC ties.

Telfer and Russell-Rowe both spent time in the Toronto FC system, while Columbus president and GM Tim Bezbatchenko helped turn TFC around before leaving for his hometown club in Ohio in January of 2019.