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Alright, the Philadelphia Eagles are champions—we’ll have to live with that. But what really matters is that MLS season is fast approaching, and the New York Red Bulls are set to play their fifth preseason match this Wednesday (12). Their opponent? Real Salt Lake, marking a reunion with forward Elias Manoel, who was part of the Red Bulls until December.
To wrap up their preseason preparations, Sandro Schwarz’s squad will take on San Diego FC, before heading to Ohio on Saturday (22) for their MLS season opener against FC Cincinnati.
New York enters this match with three wins and one draw in preseason friendlies. While results aren’t the main focus, Schwarz is using this period to experiment with tactics and formations, ensuring he maximizes the depth of his squad.
A Different Preseason for the Red Bulls
It’s rare to see the Red Bulls so well-prepared during preseason. Typically, player signings are still happening at this time of year, but 2025 feels different. Right after their MLS Cup defeat to LA Galaxy, the club’s front office moved quickly to overhaul the squad.
Several key players departed:
• Dante Vanzeir returned to Belgium
• Cory Burke was released
• Andres Reyes moved to San Diego FC
• Elias Manoel left
• Fan-favorite John Tolkin transferred to Germany
To replace them, the Red Bulls secured notable reinforcements:
• Éric Choupo-Moting, an experienced striker with spells at Chelsea and Bayern Munich.
• Alexander Hack, a Bundesliga-experienced center-back.
• Wiktor Bogacz, a promising young Polish forward.
• Marcelo Morales, a 19-year-old Chilean left-back.
• Tim Parker, returning after four seasons to strengthen the defense.
• Raheem Edwards, a versatile Canadian defender with vast MLS experience.
Additionally, promising talents from New York Red Bulls II have been promoted. While Adri Mehmeti and Tanner Rosborough may not feature regularly, they will gain invaluable first-team experience, much like Julian Hall did in 2024.
Jurgen Klopp’s Surprise Visit
A special guest made an appearance in Whippany: Jurgen Klopp, the legendary Liverpool manager who now holds a leadership role within the Red Bull organization.
In a video released by the New York Red Bulls, Klopp was spotted wearing the club’s new away jersey for the upcoming season.
📹 Watch it here: New York Red Bulls Tweet
At first, the jersey design seemed unusual, but it’s already growing on me.
Lewis Morgan Signs Contract Extension
With 31 goals and 10 assists in 79 matches, Lewis Morgan has cemented his importance to the squad. The Scottish winger has signed a contract extension through 2026, with renewal options for 2027 and 2028.
Although he won’t be classified as a Designated Player, his new contract certainly comes with a well-deserved salary increase. If there’s anyone in this squad who’s earned a reward, it’s Morgan.
Predicting the Red Bulls’ Starting XI
While Sandro Schwarz knows his squad best, here’s my prediction for the Red Bulls’ ideal lineup:
Carlos Coronel; Sean Nealis, Alexander Hack, Noah Eile; Felipe Carballo, Daniel Edelman; Cameron Harper, Emil Forsberg; Raheem Edwards; Lewis Morgan, Éric Choupo-Moting.
