New York Red Bulls head coach Sandro Schwarz knows what is on the line on Saturday night against CF Montreal. The playoffs hang in the balance and every point will be crucial towards the club extending their 15-year playoff run. Pressure is something the team has managed in the past, specifically last year when they made a deep run in the MLS Cup Playoffs. Now, with just four games remaining, they will need to pull from that same mentality.
“We can talk a lot in video meetings or on the training pitch but when it kicks off, then you have to show the intensity,” said Schwarz about his team’s mentality heading into the game. “That’s, every time, the answer. What you can give on the field and not to talk too much before the game.”
New York’s actions on the field have been loud and clear in 2025. At home, they are one of the best team’s in the league. The club has only dropped nine points at Sports Illustrated Stadium, grabbing 10 of their 11 wins in Harrison. However, their road form has been the exact opposite. The team has only garnered one win away from home, showing the inconsistent nature of their season.
CF Montreal represents a major point in the season. The club has two remaining road games with the Canadian club being the first. A win puts the pressure back on Chicago Fire, who have their own difficulties with games against Minnesota, Columbus and Inter Miami on the horizon. While that sounds intense, Red Bulls will need to put the pressure on by beating one of the worst teams in MLS.
“Our focus is clear,” said Schwarz. “When you are playing well, when you are playing very intensely, then you want the result in the form of three points. It’s very important to have a clear focus and concentration on our identity. And also a clear, clear focus, clear concentration on on the results as well.”
Red Bulls travel to CF Montreal with their eyes also on next week’s big Hudson River Derby against NYCFC at SI Stadium. A win for New York and dropped points from Chicago will see them grab the last playoff spot heading into one of the biggest clashes of the calendar in 2025.
photo by Matt Kremkau