Bradley Preaches Pushing “To the Bitter End”

Red Bull New York didn’t let up last weekend, leaving it to the final kick of the game in order to salvage a point against Toronto FC. The club struggled at times but were able to find their moment in a tough environment. That grit is something that new head coach Michael Bradley admires in his players. It is also a trait that he showed in his own playing style and is now pushing it as a coach.

“To be able to just keep going and keep playing and keep pushing until the bitter end, that part was really important,” said Bradley during training on his team’s perseverance. “We said to the group after the game that the mentality of players, the mentality of a team to step on the field every single weekend and regardless of whether it goes your way or doesn’t go your way, or whether you get the first goal or you concede the first goal, to just play and give everything you have and just keep going and going until they say you can’t go anymore. That part is the quality of a really good team.”

Red Bull has certainly shown that effort is not an issue in 2026. The club has pushed forward with young, dynamic players. What they’ve lacked in creativity, they’ve made up for in brute force. Veteran players like Emil Forsberg and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting have provided that last spark to push the club over the line. Through four games the club is now 2-1-1, a record that may surprise some pundits but is not a surprise to Bradley or Red Bull brass.

New York came in to 2026 as one of the younger clubs. Their first two games saw teenagers take center stage. Julian Hall, Matthew Dos Santos and Adri Mehmeti have quickly endeared themselves to supporters. While, expectations are certainly raising quickly, it’s also important to remember that they are young players and development does come with road blocks along the way.

“I think all the guys in training have been pushing me in a great way that I can have that confidence,” said Mehmeti. “When I go into games, I give everything I have and I don’t shy away from the moment. Again, every game is a learning experience and a moment to grow. Just taking it game-by-game, minute-by-minute, and trying to make the most out of every game and give everything I have.”

They’ll have to continue that effort this weekend as the club travels to Bank of America Stadium to play Charlotte FC. The North Carolina club has not lost at home this season, putting on a dominant performance against Austin FC and dragging a point out of Messi and Inter Miami last week. Expectations are that Cade Cowell, who missed last week’s game for the birth of his child, will return to the line-up, adding a bit more fire power to the offense.