Red Bull New York managed to pull a point away in Toronto with the last kick of the game thanks to Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. The veteran German international scored 17 goals in 31 starts for Red Bull in 2025. Despite that success he found himself on the outside of new head coach Michael Bradley’s selection. Julian Hall may have started three of the first four games, but Choupo-Moting still has the ability to turn a game around in a single moment.
“We’re all really, really happy for Choupo today,” said Bradley after the game. “His experience, his quality his ability to score goals is at such a high level. He gives us so much. He and Emil both as designated players, their presence, their leadership, the way they treat their teammates, they’re so important and such good guys.”
Choupo-Moting feels as if he is from a bygone Red Bull era. The 36 year-old is a reflexion of the old guard management. Brought in by Jochen Schneider and Sandro Schwarz, the veteran was meant to be the missin piece that drags the club to their ultimate goal of winning MLS Cup. While he did solve the goal-scoring problem, the team regressed, missing the playoffs for the first time in over a decade.
Now, Red Bull is taking a proactive approach to bring in the next generation of the club’s potential stars. Hall has scored two goals already and Matthew Dos Santos quickly made himself an important new player to Bradley and the coaching staff.
“Never give up, always believe,” said Choupo-Moting about his tenacity. “I gave everything in this duel. It was like a slow motion goal, a little bit, but a nice one.”
Choupo-Moting now gives Bradley much to contemplate. The young coach will need to grapple with youth vs. experience. Hall could be a starter next week against Charlotte FC. While Choupo-Moting works as a supersub off the bench, starting him next to Hall may be a true future for the club’s attack.
photo by Matt Kremkau