MLS
Union’s playoff push arrives at rival Red Bulls
The Union continues its road trip this weekend, much closer to home against Red Bull New York. The Boys in Blue travel up I-95 on a six-match unbeaten streak. This weekend presents a foreign concept to the U this season: a chance at a playoff spot.
For the first time since the start of the 2026 campaign, the Union is just three points out of a playoff position. The match comes against a Red Bull side that has struggled since returning from the World Cup. They’re winless in three and slowly sliding down the Eastern Conference table. Let’s break down the rivalry matchup heading into the weekend.
Young Red Bulls Aim to Turn the Tide Against Union
The Red Bull New York grabbed an important point against the Chicago Fire last weekend, drawing 1-1 with the third-place team in the Eastern Conference. After dropping matches to Atlanta and Nashville prior, the Red Bull locker room sees this as a step in the right direction.
RBNY sits eighth in the Eastern Conference with 26 points. They met the Union right out of the World Cup break back in July, losing 3-1 off a second-half surge from the Philadelphia Union.
Now, Red Bull are starting to find form in their youth. Most prominently, 18-year-old American Julian Hall. Hall, who has nine goals on the season for RBNY, just inked a four-year deal with the club, solidifying his development within the Red Bull system.
Alongside him are youngsters Cade Cowell (22) and Mijahir Jiménez (19), each with two goals this season. The Red Bull system plays fast and free, looking to launch lethal counterattacks to catch teams off guard. Cade Cowell netted a goal against the Union in the last match in this fashion, and it will definitely be a concern for a Union backline that’s conceded in their last 12 away matches.
At the center of the puzzle for Red Bull is veteran midfielder Emil Forsberg. The Swedish Leipzig product has three goals and four assists on the season, but much of the play from New York flows through him. Expect him to be the most dangerous part of the midfield in Red Bull’s 4-3-3 formation.
However, New York’s defensive woes continue. They’ve conceded 43 goals this season. If the Union can exploit Red Bull’s defending and capitalize on mistakes, they can outscore New York and grab all three points in this one.
Rivalry matches against New York never disappoint. With each time fighting through the bottom of the playoff pool, expect both sides to be fighting for all three points in this pivotal matchup.
Keys to Success
Red Bull’s attack is lethal when they click, and the Union backline continues to allow goal after goal this season. If they can get on the board early and defend soundly, I would expect New York to win this one. Although if the Union score first, don’t count them out. Red Bull has scored in the 70th minute or later in four of their five draws this season.
Union’s Playoff Push Reaches a Critical Point
The Union sits just a win out of a playoff spot. With 21 points on the season, the playoff line sits at 24, with the Union having a better goal differential than two of the three teams ahead of them. Is this the weekend we finally start calling the Union a playoff team?
That question starts with analysis of a wonky game against Austin. The Union looked anything but convincing, but there were moments of brightness from the side. Cavan Sullivan finally found the scoresheet off a beautiful set piece from the training ground, and the Union looked sound defensively after a collapse just after they took the early lead.
Most importantly, the Union is finding goals without strong play from their forward, Milan Iloski. He is now goal-less in three MLS games. This is after going on a five-game scoring streak out of the World Cup break. I would love to see him break out against a struggling Red Bull defense, and it’s likely.
Additionally, while he hasn’t scored goals, he’s been involved in the last nine games. Milan Iloski has a goal contribution in each. With this Union team, goals aren’t everything.
Looking at the rest of the squad, the midfield will decide this match. One of the most important pieces is the battle between Jesus Bueno and Jovan Lukic. Bueno received the reps in the last two matches, but neither has looked convincing.
With fewer minutes and starts, Bueno has the slight edge in my book based on goal impact, but Jovan has provided greater durability with his defensive workload. The match will come down to what the team needs most in the moment, but I would bet on Lukic grabbing the start on the road.
Defensively, Nate and Neil are continuing to blend and build chemistry. The centerbacks are an essential piece if this team wants to compete in the postseason, and Neil gets better with every rep.
Keys to Success
If the Union can keep New York off the board. They are the better team of late, and if they play as they did against NYCFC, they should walk away with all three points and, if they’re lucky—a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
You can catch the match on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on Apple TV+.
