Head coaches tend to split seasons into phases. For Red Bull New York head coach Michael Bradley, the first third of the 2026 MLS season was the implementation stage and the middle portion was filled with season breaks and challenges.
With 11 matches left to play between today and the Red Bulls’ regular-season finale against Atlanta United FC on November 7’s MLS Decision Day, Bradley is hoping that his young squad can find consistency and upward progress.
Bradley, Red Bulls Look To Finish Strong in Final Third of MLS Season
“There’s a third of the season still left, so we are continuing to push ourselves to improve, to be better, to play better, to be more consistent, to find ways to take good performances and turn them into points,” Bradley said ahead of Wednesday’s road match against Los Angeles FC.
“So the work to become a real team, that process, that road is winding up and down, and not always perfect. From the first game this year, we have tried to balance the part of looking at how we play and looking at how we can improve and looking at the performance, but do it in a way where we set ourselves up for results.
“It’s never been about just the performance. We are competitive and doing everything that we can to accelerate the learning curve for this group, and so we feel good about the work, about the improvement, about the journey that we’re on as a team, but we understand that there’s more, and we have to continue to push ourselves to take all the things that we generally feel good about and make sure that we can, on even more days, walk away with the points that we deserve.”
Ethan Horvath, Defense Look To Continue Positive Trends
Last Saturday’s scoreless draw against Seattle Sounders FC at Lumen Field felt like a step forward for the Red Bulls. Goalkeeper Ethan Horvath made six saves to preserve a clean sheet.
“It was a fantastic performance as a group and as a team,” Horvath said. “We defended well. We were strong on set pieces. So from a personal level, a team level, yes, of course we want to win the games. But I think on a collective level, we can be very happy.”
The 31-year-old netminder was named to the MLS Team of the Matchday for Matchday 24 on Monday.
New York entered Wednesday in 10th position in the Eastern Conference, though that position could change before the Red Bulls kick off in Los Angeles depending on earlier results.
Bouanga, Son Pose Major Test For Red Bulls
Against LAFC, who entered the day in third place in the Western Conference, the Red Bulls will need to not only shut down the hosts’ high-powered attack — they’ll need to stimulate their own.
The Red Bulls have only scored three goals over their past five matches. Then, there’s the matter of keeping 12-goal scorer Denis Bouanga and South Korean star forward Son Heung-Min quiet.
“Yeah, obviously, a lot of star power, and over the years they have always been a tough team to play and it is also very hard to play them at their place,” defender Devin Padelford said of LAFC. “I think they do a great job getting their fans into games, so I think a great thing is just being able to weather the storm early on, trying to keep the game away from our net as much as we possibly can.
“They do a very good job in the transition. They have a lot of very dynamic attackers, so trying to limit as many transition moments would probably be best. In games that I have played them, that is where I feel they excel really well.”
Red Bull New York and Los Angeles FC Lineup and Injury News Ahead of Wednesday’s Match
Midfielder Ronald Donkor will miss Wednesday’s contest due to card accumulation.
It’s possible that recently-acquired midfielder David Ruiz could start his first match for Red Bull New York in place of Donkor. The 22-year-old Honduras international, who is on loan from Inter Miami CF, debuted for the Red Bulls in a 16-minute substitute appearance against Seattle.
Aside from Donkor, the Red Bulls do not have any additional injury concerns or suspended players.
Prior to tonight’s match, Red Bull New York added two players from Red Bull New York II on short-term agreements. Winger Dennis Nelich and midfielder Sekou Kone were called into Bradley’s squad.
Nelich will start on the wing, while Kone begins the match on the bench. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting will lead the line.
Red Bull New York announced the following starting XI and substitutes vs. Los Angeles FC:
Starting XI: Horvath, Nealis, Che, Bazan, Padelford, Mehmeti, Forsberg (C), Sofo, Cowell, Choupo-Moting, Nelich
Subs: McCarthy, Hall, Harper, Jimenez, Kone, Marshall-Rutty, Parker, Ruiz, Ruvalcaba Nelich will starts in his #RBNY debut.
Los Angeles FC will be without at least a trio of players. Thomas Hasal, Ryan Porteous and Timothy Tillman are ruled out ahead of Wednesday’s match. Defender Eddie Segura is listed as questionable due to a leg injury.
Los Angeles FC announced the following starting XI and substitutes:
Starting XI: Lloris, Hollingshead, Long, Tafari, Nielsen, Terry, Choiniere, Cheberko, Shaffelburg, Son, Bouanga
Subs: Jesus, Sieb, Palencia, Ebobisse, Boyd, Raposo, Carter, Diaz, Mihalic
OUT: Thomas Hasal (arm), Ryan Porteous (leg), Timothy Tillman (leg)
QUESTIONABLE: Eddie Segura (leg)
How to Watch Red Bull New York vs. Los Angeles FC: Time, TV and Stream Info
Wednesday’s contest at BMO Stadium is scheduled to kick off at 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
Max Bretos will call play-by-play of Wednesday’s match alongside Brian Dunseth in English, while Bruno Vain and Andres Agulla will provide Spanish commentary.
Fans can tune into Red Bulls Radio at 10 p.m. Eastern Time with Matt Harmon and Steve Jolley previewing the match with Countdown To Kickoff then calling all the action.
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