New York Red Bulls have only seven games left in the 2025 MLS season and are currently sitting in 10th place, tied on points with the Chicago Fire. While no point in the season is easy for clubs, Red Bulls have a particularly difficult schedule approaching with all but one game against teams above the playoff line. Head coach Sandro Schwarz knows that his team will have to turn some of their recent luck around in order to keep the team’s playoff streak alive.
“We have to be very aggressive,” said Schwarz about his team’s mentality. “That’s important because they (Philadelphia Union) have quality with set pieces. Tomorrow’s a new game against Philly. We have to be ready against them in our stadium and that is what we want to show.”
Just days ago, New York battled the Philadelphia Union in the quarterfinals of the US Open Cup, falling short on a late goal. While it was a difficult fixture, the team showed how impressive they can be against top competition. Currently, the Union are the best team in the league, leaving Saturday’s game to be one of the most important while also being one of the most difficult.
Red Bulls will have to go into this game at less than 100 percent. Back-up goalkeeper AJ Marcucci suffered a major knee injury, sidelining him for the rest of the season, and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting also left with a knee injury but is listed as questionable for Saturday’s game. More than likely, this means a rotated squad with players like Wiktor Bogacz, Omar Valencia and Wiki Carmona being just as important as designated players like Emil Forsberg.
“Now we play with a whole confidence,” said Schwarz about his team’s mentality after Leagues Cup. “To believe in ourselves and our quality tomorrow. To show we can bring this performance against a good team again.”
A win over the Union is not something that has come easily. It has been years since the club has bested their nearest non-city rival. The previous game on Wednesday showed just how close they can come while shifting focus from the late collapse that saw their exit from the Open Cup. Now, all focus goes to MLS where New York hopes to course correct with little time remaining.
“It’s important that we take every single game one at a time,” said midfielder Peter Stroud. “Every game is so important on this run in. Timing in soccer can change quickly. You can have a tough period for a while but I think it’s a perfect opportunity for us now.”
photo by Matt Kremkau