New York Red Bulls coach Sandro Schwarz is urging his team to move past their US Open Cup loss to the Philadelphia Union and concentrate on their upcoming MLS match. Despite a tough league run, Schwarz is optimistic, praising young players and stressing focus. The Union, leading the Eastern Conference, pose a challenge, but key players like Choupo-Moting for the Red Bulls and Baribo for the Union could be game-changers. Historically, Philadelphia has dominated, but the Red Bulls’ home record is strong. Opta predicts a Red Bulls win, highlighting their determination to rebound and fight for a playoff spot.
New York Red Bulls head coach Sandro Schwarz is calling for his team to put their recent US Open Cup exit behind them and focus on the challenges ahead. Following a 3-2 defeat at the hands of the Philadelphia Union in the quarter-finals, Schwarz emphasized the importance of looking forward, especially with another match against the Union looming this weekend in the MLS.
The Red Bulls' current form in the league has been inconsistent, with only two wins in their last nine matches. This leaves them in a precarious position, sitting 10th in the Eastern Conference and just outside the playoff places on goal difference. Despite the setback in the US Open Cup, Schwarz remains optimistic about his team's potential and their ability to turn things around.
"We have to look forward," Schwarz stated. "I said this to our players, when you are playing such a [big] fight with all these games on Thursday, Sunday, Thursday, I can’t be angry. Of course we are disappointed with the result, but the way we played with all these young guys in the starting lineup who came from the academy or the second team in Philly was really, really good."
Schwarz acknowledged the disappointment of the loss but highlighted the positive performance of the younger players in the squad, particularly those who have come through the Red Bulls' academy system. He stressed that now is not the time for dwelling on the defeat but rather for maintaining focus and preparing for their next match.
"You know me. I normally can analyze everything and go into detail, but now it is not the moment. It is not the moment now to be angry or anything like that, it is more important to have focus. Clear focus [on the] next target. Now our schedule is good. Next is Philly in our stadium, and we will see what happens on Saturday," he added.
Their upcoming opponents, the Philadelphia Union, are currently leading the Eastern Conference, having enjoyed a five-match unbeaten run in the league. Despite a late setback in their recent match against Toronto FC, where they conceded a late equalizer, the Union remain two points clear at the top of the table. This sets the stage for a challenging encounter for the Red Bulls as they seek to bounce back from their cup defeat.
Key players to watch in the upcoming match include Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting for the New York Red Bulls and Tai Baribo for the Philadelphia Union. Choupo-Moting has been a standout performer for the Red Bulls this season, leading the team with 15 goals, which places him among the top goalscorers in the league. His recent match-winning penalty in stoppage time demonstrated his importance to the team.
On the other side, Tai Baribo has been a consistent threat for Philadelphia, also netting 15 goals this season, including several match-opening goals. Baribo's performance in the US Open Cup match against the Red Bulls, where he both scored and assisted, underscores his potential to make a significant impact in the upcoming league game.
Looking at the historical context, Philadelphia has dominated recent encounters against the Red Bulls, remaining unbeaten in their last 12 regular-season matches since 2020. This represents the Union's longest unbeaten run against any opponent in their MLS history. However, the Red Bulls have a strong home record this season, with nine wins in the regular season, which equals the highest in MLS along with the Union, Nashville SC, and Charlotte FC.
In terms of recent form, the Red Bulls have managed two wins, one draw, and three losses in their last six league matches, while Philadelphia has secured three wins, two draws, and one loss. Despite Philadelphia's recent dominance in head-to-head matchups, the Opta win probability favors the New York Red Bulls with a 41.2% chance of winning, compared to the Union's 32.1%, with a 26.7% chance of a draw.
As the Red Bulls prepare to face the Philadelphia Union once again, the focus remains on overcoming their recent disappointment and capitalizing on their home advantage. Coach Schwarz's call to "look forward" encapsulates the team's determination to refocus and compete for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.