MIAMI – Red Bull New York (3-2-1, 10 pts) travels to the brand new Nu Stadium Saturday night to face Inter Miami CF (3-1-2, 11 pts). New York will look to earn their first road win against last season’s MLS Cup winners since 2023.
With the FIFA World Cup two months away, the next few weeks for Red Bull will be packed with fixtures across different competitions. For head coach Michael Bradley, a congested match schedule is nothing new to him, especially in his playing days. But, as a first-time head coach in Major League Soccer (MLS), it’s another challenge for him to embrace.
Over the next few weeks, Bradley’s squad will likely have two matches per week the rest of April. Pending a victory against USL Championship side Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC in the U.S. Open Cup next Wednesday, April could see New York play a total of seven matches.
Depth and fitness levels will be something for Bradley to monitor throughout the weeks to come. With a younger roster, the next couple of contests will be opportunities for players to step up. That of course begins when New York travels to the league’s newest venue, fittingly named Nu Stadium to face a star-studded Miami side.
The defending champs of the league need no introduction at this point. No matter how much attention is directed towards Miami, most fans can agree that their success has brought more casual viewers to the league. For a club that only started playing at the beginning of the decade, they have become one of the most recognizable clubs in the sport.
It is now time to mention the reason why they have become a juggernaut in the league and it’s really because of Lionel Messi. When the greatest player in the history of the sport arrived in Florida in 2023, it sent shock waves throughout the soccer world.
For years, no one ever expected that Messi would come to what has been jokingly called a “retirement league.” Well, one can argue that he has single handedly changed the perception of the league. Remember, the Argentine arrived to MLS a few months after his historic World Cup victory over France in 2022.
Messi’s signing was a major moment in the league’s history and Bradley addressed his thoughts on the forward in the pre-match press conference Thursday.
“Like anybody who loves football and loves the game and anybody who has watched him so closely over the last 20 years, you see, for me, the best player of all time,” Bradley said Thursday. “You see a player with so much quality, skill, ease to just do anything that he needs to on the field.”
When Bradley was on the US men’s national team (USMNT), the former midfielder faced Messi in the Copa América Centenario in 2016. Answering the same question regarding Messi, Bradley quickly responded when he addressed the tactical aspect of Saturday’s match. Coaching against him, did Bradley think he might have an advantage against Messi in the tactical department in regards to how he wants his team to play versus Miami?
“No, not really. I don’t think there’s any huge advantage there.”
Communication will be key for New York, especially on the backline in a hostile environment. In their previous two road trips to face Miami, Red Bull have conceded a whopping 10 goals. New York also allowed five goals at home last July to a visiting Miami side.
With New York feeling great after their 4-2 win last Saturday over FC Cincinnati, they hope that the good times can continue with a statement win on the road.
Kickoff for Saturday’s match is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Apple TV.
