It’s been five league matches since Red Bull New York have won a game in Major League Soccer (MLS) and Michael Bradley’s squad will be looking to do just that when they face Chicago Fire FC in the ‘windy city’ on Saturday.
Last weekend, the team honored legendary forward Bradley Wright-Phillips by adding his name to Legends Row at Sports Illustrated Stadium. However, Red Bull could not follow that emotional high with a win on the pitch and they lost their third straight match across all competitions 2-0 to FC Dallas, whom they hadn’t lost to since 2012.
Couple that loss on a special night for the fans and organization with being knocked out of U.S. Open Cup by arch-rival New York City FC on April 29 and it’s been a rough couple of weeks for Red Bull New York.
So, what need to be the cornerstones of grabbing a solid result tomorrow?
First and foremost is defense. Red Bull New York have surrendered the second-most goals (27) in MLS’s Eastern Conference this season. The only team that has given up more is Orlando City SC and they find themselves in 13th place– a place Red Bull could find themselves after Saturday if they’re not careful. Veteran goalkeeper Ethan Horvath will be key to instilling confidence in what has been a shaky Red Bull backline in 2026.
However, keeping Chicago from scoring will be no easy task. The Fire come into Saturday having scored the third-most goals in the Eastern Conference and their forward Hugo Cuypers is tied for the league lead with 10 goals on the season. Cuypers has done this despite missing three of his team’s 10 matches and is in fine form, having scored a brace in Chicago’s previous match against FC Cincinnati.
At their home field, Soldier Field, Chicago is 4-2-0 this season and has outscored opponents 13-5. On the other hand, Red Bull New York have just one road win this season from six matches (a 1-3-2 record).
As far as trying to crack a Chicago Fire backline and a goalkeeper in Chris Brady who has put up five clean sheets in 2026, Red Bull’s attacking players will have a tough time.
Eighteen-year-old forward Julian Hall paces all Red Bull players with six goals this season. He will need to be on his ‘A game’ as will those providing him service like Ronald Donkor and Cade Cowell to crack Chicago’s stout backline. Rookie midfielder, Adri Mehmeti comes into this match with the highest ‘phase of possession’ in MLS this season with an 816, which ranks meaningful forward passes and undoubtedly his orchestration in the center of midfield will be key to any buildup play that leads to offense on Saturday.
One concern for Michael Bradley’s team has been the play of their designated players. Captain Emil Forsberg has one goal contribution (an assist) in his last six matches across all competitions. Eric Choupo-Moting, who scored 17 goals last season, has been used sparingly as a substitute all season and his one goal this season came on March 14. Jorge Ruvalcaba who was brought in to be a shot-in-the-arm for this team’s attack, has no goal contributions in his last three matches and if not for scoring a brace against DC United on April 22, would have one goal this season.
Red Bull New York fans will find a familiar face on Chicago’s backline in left-back Andrew Gutman who played one season with New York in 2021. They will also find a familiar nemesis patrolling Chicago’s backline in center-back Jack Elliot. Elliot played for Philadelphia Union for eight seasons from 2017-24 and was part of two teams in 2019 and 2021 which knocked Red Bull New York out of the MLS Cup Playoffs. Senior New York defender Tim Parker is the only current member of the squad that played in that 2019 first round playoff game against Elliot and Philadelphia.
Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, with coverage available on Apple TV in English and Spanish.
