Five Games Red Bulls Fans Should Attend in 2025
The new year means a new season for the New York Red Bulls.
The 2025 regular season is already approaching, and RBNY kicks it off against FC Cincinnati on February 22.
PHOTO: New York Red Bulls
New York is coming off a chaotic yet successful year in 2024. It has a long road ahead, but the chance to build on that success and return to the MLS Cup is right there.
But the long season also has many games fans should be aware of. Here are five!
March 1 vs Nashville SC
Calling the 2025 home opener a game to “look ahead to” is sort of obvious. However, the game against Nashville does have a few extra bells and whistles. First, this will be the first game held at Sports Illustrated Stadium, formerly known as Red Bull Arena. The name change, which has been close to a decade in the making, has received mixed receptions from fans. Also, New York is still coming off an Eastern Conference championship.
There is a chance the organization will honor that with a ceremony before the game. Ultimately, we don’t know. But besides it being the first home game of the season, there is enough that people should be ready to brave the March weather and return to Harrison.
It was also last season against Nashville that RBNY captain Emil Forsberg made his MLS debut. Now, he starts the season at home against them, trying to build on what he started in 2024.
May 10 vs LA Galaxy
It will only be 77 days between the New York Red Bulls’ last official matches (not counting preseason friendlies). The loss to the LA Galaxy in the MLS Cup was heartbreaking. Though for many fans, the team’s underdog run to the final and capturing its first-ever Eastern Conference title was a joy to be a part of. Major League Soccer is a business, and a rematch in the regular season on the opposite coast is going to be huge.
LA, now with a sixth star on their jersey, will enter Sports Illustrated Stadium as probably the biggest villains the fanbase has had in a while. A different type of bad guy than the embedded hate of NYCFC or D.C. United. This is a game fans will want to be there in-person for.
Also, former RBNY midfielder Sean Davis joined the Galaxy in the offseason. It’s always fun to see a former fan favorite.
July 12 at Philadelphia Union
The only road game included on this list, but only a couple hours trip down I-95. The Philadelphia Union is in a transitional period of its history. The team, celebrating its 16th season of play, will be led by only their fourth-ever head coach. That name is a familiar one to New York Red Bulls fans; Bradley Carnell. The former assistant coach to Chris Armas and interim head coach during the COVID-19-affected 2020 season.
Since leaving RBNY, Carnell has led expansion side St. Louis City SC and assisted another former RBNY head coach, Jesse Marsch, with the Canadian Men’s National Team.
Outside of one preseason friendly last year, this will be Carnell’s first time playing against his former club. He will also return to Red Bull Arena for the first time on August 16, 2025.
July 19 vs Inter Miami CF
This is the last season of Lionel Messi’s original contract with Inter Miami and Major League Soccer. Barring something like the Leagues Cup, the U.S. Open Cup, or playoffs – this could be the last time the World Cup champion sets foot in Harrison for a professional soccer match. This game is slotted just after the CONCACAF Gold Cup, which has a FIFA international break, and a week after the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, which Inter Miami is part of. It’s unclear how roster management is going to happen here.
While personally I think Messi is signing an extension to play in Miami next year during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, you can’t pass this up. The tickets will be hard to get, and buying early runs the risk of him not being there. Still, circle the game.
August 30 vs Columbus Crew
The Red Bulls’ run to the MLS Cup Final started with a shock win over Columbus Crew in the First Round. The penalty kicks shootout in front of the South Ward and Carlos Coronel’s three straight saves are ingrained in team lore. The first time these two teams are scheduled to meet one another is in late August, with the playoffs creeping up on the horizon.
This game might mean nothing, depending on where the teams are in the standings. But Wilfried Nancy and his team have had a long offseason because of RBNY.
Considering the two teams will also meet on Decision Day, expect this game to be exciting.
PHOTO: New York Red Bulls
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