After nearly eight long and confusing months, the Major League Soccer (MLS) season for the New York Red Bulls will finally conclude. No one expected what has transpired the past few months for New York and for everyone’s sake, the misery is over. With the Red Bulls missing the postseason for the first time since 2009, Saturday’s match vs the Columbus Crew is basically meaningless.
As a sports aficionado, however, no game is truly meaningless. While a win can’t magically put the Red Bulls in the playoffs, this is still an important match for the players and manager Sandro Schwarz.
Many have questioned Schwarz’ job security in recent weeks and while his future is uncertain, he still has a job to do on Saturday. His job, to assemble a good starting eleven to take down a playoff bound Columbus squad.
Now with that being said, the players have to go out there and do their jobs and perform at a high level. Fans know players like forward Eric Choupo-Moting and captain Emil Forsberg will play relentlessly, there’s no doubt about that. But for others, some are playing for a spot in the 2026 campaign.
When dissecting the roster for the Red Bulls, fans are aware that youth is prominent in this club. Guys like Julian Hall, Daniel Edelman, and Mohammed Sofo have been featured in many matches this season and have made their fair share of great plays.
For a youngster like Hall, if he were to conclude Saturday with an excellent performance, it would be a great sign entering next season. The kid has potential to become a terrific performer for New York and the club should elevate him to a bigger role in 2026. Clubs internationally, though, have expressed interest in him so Saturday will be other clubs’ last chance to evaluate him this season.
The same can be said for Edelman. It tended to be a mixed bag for the 22-year old midfielder this season and talks have been made about a departure for him this offseason. It would be an interesting decision for the club to make given that he has represented the team and his home state well.
Moving to the backline now, a few players have club options for 2026. From Kyle Duncan to Sean Nealis to Tim Parker, Saturday might be a make or break match for them.
Parker still showed he was a capable defender this season, but he is getting up there in age at 32. Nealis has been with the club since 2019, but will he be back next season with the Red Bulls? Does Duncan make a case to stay with a good performance on Decision Day after his interesting Red Bulls tenure?
Looking in net, it was confirmed by Schwarz on Thursday that recently acquired goalkeeper, John McCarthy, would earn the start Saturday. What does that mean for Carlos Coronel? It most likely means his time with New York is coming to a close.
Coronel’s contract wraps up at the end of this season and if he doesn’t sub on Saturday, his last match would have been vs FC Cincinnati on October 4. While it’s disappointing Coronel likely won’t get one last shot, he has proved to the Red Bulls faithful that he has been an excellent goalkeeper for them. Whether other clubs are interested remains to be seen, but there should be a market for him in free agency.
Obviously, New York wishes they were in the postseason. This doesn’t mean, though, that Saturday’s match is a wash. This is the last opportunity for many players to show why they belong and why they should be in the club’s plan going into 2026.
Kickoff for Saturday’s match against the Columbus Crew is set for 6 p.m. on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
