Schwarz Shares Pride in Club After Tough May

New York Red Bulls had a difficult month of May, playing nine games over 31 days, and ending with three consecutive wins to put the team on a strong path heading into the summer. It hasn’t been an easy start to 2025 as head coach Sandro Schwarz has had to juggle major injuries to players like Lewis Morgan while also navigating multiple competitions. In the end the club ended up in sixth place in MLS and in the quarter finals of the US Open Cup.

“I’m very proud of the whole group,” said Schwarz to the media after his club’s win over Atlanta United. “We are going all together in the same direction and, when you have some difficult moments in the season, it’s normal that we are able to answer directly in how we want to play.”

Red Bulls’ style of play is something that cannot be denied. Despite formation changes and player skills that differ from the direct nature of years past, the club still relies heavily on high-energy pressing and intense movement on and off the ball. Rotation was key over the last month as Schwarz had to rest some of his more veteran players while also relying on unproven talent to get results.

Midweek against Charlotte FC showed that the club is able to manage those roster changes as Wiktor Bogacz erupted for his first goal and bench players like Wiki Carmona showed their desire for more sustained minutes. Combined with defensive rotations between Sean Nealis, Alexander Hack, Noah Eile and Tim Parker, the club was able to plot a positive course in their completion of half of the MLS schedule.

“We have a lot of great center backs in the club,” said Eile. “You have to stay on top of every single game and out at training sessions. I try to do that and then just enjoy playing and keeping a smile on my face.”

The team will certainly smile about the current international break. The club will return to action on June 14th, on the road, against Austin FC, a club that New York has little history against. Red Bulls won’t return home until the end of the month when they host Minnesota United at SI Stadium on June 28th.