The wait for the new MLS season comes to an end in February. Last season saw the New York Red Bulls come close to winning the MLS Cup, losing in the final to LA Galaxy. Can they go one better this season?
Although they have the name ‘New York Red Bulls,.’ they have been playing home games at the Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey since 2010. The long wait for their first MLS Cup triumph is still continuing, though.
Last season saw them finish seventh in the Eastern Conference, a place and three points behind New York City. That took them into the playoffs, and two wins over Columbus Crew (the home leg via a penalty shootout) saw them into the play-off quarter-finals and a blockbuster away semi-final against New York City.
Two first-half goals took the Red Bulls into the Conference Final against Orlando City, with Andre Reyes (now with San Diego) scoring the only goal of the match. That took the Red Bulls into the MLS Cup final against LA Galaxy
The dream of finally winning the MLS Cup didn’t get off to a good start, though, as they went 2-0 down inside 13 minutes. Sean Nelis pulled a goal back before the break, but they ended up losing 2-1. Will 2025 be the year they finally lift the trophy?
They have been busy strengthening their squad for the new MLS season. Defender Tim Parker is back at the club and has signed a one-year contract with the Red Bulls, though if all goes well, he could be with them in the 2026 season, too.
Parker (who celebrates his 32nd birthday in late February) previously played for the club between 2018 and 2020 and 2022 and most recently was with New England Revolution. He was a member of the squad that won the Supporter’s Shield in 2018 but lost in the Conference final. He’ll hope for similar success this season.
Another defender joining the Red Bulls is the 21-year-old Chilean Marcelo Morales. He’s been signed by Universidad de Chile and has signed a contract until 2027. Alexander Hack has arrived from Al Qadsiah FC.
The 31-year-old center-back previously played for Mainz in the German Bundesliga. 20-year-old Wiktor Bogacz has joined from Miedź Legnica in Poland. It’s hoped the new signings will boost a defense that conceded 50 goals in the main MLS season last year.
Up front, the Red Bulls have signed Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. The 35-year-old (36 in March) has had great success in Europe and has been signed by German Bundesliga side Bayern Munich.
The Cameroon international (he also played for Germany at the youth level) has also played for several other German clubs, such as PSG in France and Stoke City in the English Premier League. He can certainly add some fire upfront for the Red Bulls.
As well as the departure of Reyes, the Red Bulls have also transferred Elias Manoel to Real Salt Lake, and John Tolkin is now playing for Holstein Kiel in Germany.
Betting on the MLS is incredibly popular, and the Red Bulls are the sixth favorite to win the MLS Cup this year. Current favorites with New York gambling websites listed on this site are Inter Miami FC who won the Eastern Conference last year with 74 points but then lost in the play-offs to Atlanta United.
The Red Bulls are the fourth favorite to win the Eastern Conference, with Inter, of course, being the bookmakers’ choice to win the conference title again.
Early season games see them away at Cincinnati and Atlanta with home fixtures against Nashville, Orlando, and Toronto.
It’s going to be another exciting year for soccer in the US. There’s not just the MLS season to look forward to. In June and July, the revamped FIFA Club World Cup takes place in the US, with both Inter Miami and Seattle Sounders taking part.
The month-long tournament featuring top club sides from around the globe will certainly grab the interest of gamblers. The hope for the New York Red Bulls is that one day they will be in the tournament.
