Red Bull New York know how important Friday night’s game at Yankee Stadium is against rivals NYCFC. A win would see them climb back into the playoff picture as they sit just two points back of City for the last spot in the Eastern Conference. While motivation will be key for the club to succeed, there is also an acknowledgement of just how good the opposition is at the moment.
“We have big respect for them,” said head coach Michael Bradley when speaking about NYC. “They’re a good team with a lot of talented players and we’re excited for a big night.”
A “big night” is an understatement as this regular season clash, the lasts of the 2026 MLS regular season, has the feel of November playoff game. Both clubs enter this game off the back of dramatic road wins but have suffered since returning from the World Cup Break. Both clubs have just two league wins in that span and have had trouble reigniting the offense that helped to carry them through the the spring and early summer.
For Red Bull it will be about activating players. Ronald Donkor delivered in the biggest moment at Columbus while players like Mohammed Sofo showed just how much they still have to give with the club. Sofo in particular has found it difficult to get starting minutes. However, the recent fixture congestion has forced Bradley into a rotation that sees the young Ghanaian making the most of his opportunities.
“Sofo gave us a huge amount of everything against Columbus,” said Bradley. “He was all over the field, stepping up, pressing, coming back, getting the ball, making plays, running forward again. He had a really good game. Anybody who has been around him, you can’t help but feel happy for him because he’s a great kid.”
Those types of performances will be necessary on Friday night as Red Bull’s road form has been less than desirable. Last week’s win was just the fourth they’ve had away from SI Stadium all year. To make that back-to-back would be a monumental step in turning around a season that has seen leaps in player development but regression in the team’s overall standings. The playoffs are on the line and New York knows that the time for performance is done and results are what is necessary.
photo by Matt Kremkau