It felt like Cade Cowell already had one foot out the door of Sports Illustrated Stadium when he met with the media following Red Bull New York’s 3-0 regular-season finale victory over Atlanta United FC.
Cowell did not issue a public plea to remain with the Harrison-based club. The 23-year-old winger is unsure where he will be playing his football next season.
“I can reflect on a lot of good things and come back for next year, wherever that is and do the same,” Cowell said.
Cowell scored four goals and registered nine assists during the 2026 MLS season after arriving at the Red Bulls from Liga MX side Chivas Guadalajara on a season-long loan in December 2025. The loan includes a permanent transfer option.
Cowell: ‘I’ll Let My Agent and the Club Do the Talking’
When asked directly about the state of negotiations, Cowell said that he expects his agent and Red Bull New York to soon begin discussions.
“Obviously, I’m sure the discussions will start now that we know the season is over,” Cowell said. “I obviously don’t know anything at the moment. So I’ll let my agent and the club do the talking with that.”
But it’s hard to envision those discussions leading to a permanent transfer that allows Cowell to remain with the Red Bulls. He is currently earning a reported $900,000 USD base salary with Chivas. His contract with the Mexican club expires on June 30, 2027.
The odds of him calling Sports Illustrated Stadium home in 2027 appear slim. Cowell will likely seek an increased wage based on his performances, along with a signing-on fee and bonuses. Then there’s the need for the Red Bulls and Chivas to agree upon a transfer fee.
It might be more cost-effective for the Red Bulls to look at other wing options.
If this is the end of Cowell’s time in Harrison, he’s thankful for the experience.
“Obviously, it was a really fun experience to live in the East Coast for the first time,” Cowell said. “I’m from California. It’s much different. I had a great time, my daughter was born here, there’s a lot of beautiful things that I can look back on. I’ll always remember this place.”
Red Bulls Have Several In-House Wing Options
Currently, the Red Bulls have an ample number of in-house options that can play either wing.
These include Cameron Harper, who is signed through 2027 with an additional one-year club option, Mohammed Sofo, whose contract expires at the end of 2026 but contains a two-year club option, Mijahir Jiménez, who is signed through 2028 with club options through the 2030-31 season and Rafael Mosquera, who is signed through 2028 with a one-year club option.
Michael Bradley has shown a tendency to fast-track reserve players into the first team.
Youth hopefuls Dennis Nelich, Tanner Rosborough, Christian Gallagher, Andy Rojas, Benny Rodriguez, Sean Baitinger and Pedro Castro could also figure into the first-team competition.
Pedro Castro Emerges as Intriguing Young Option for Red Bull New York
Castro joined Red Bull New York II on September 1 alongside full-back Kevin Wender on loan deals from Red Bull Bragantino through the end of 2026. The Red Bulls have the option to buy both players.
In a short amount of time, Castro demonstrated a high ceiling as an attacker with his rapid pace and trickery in 1v1 situations and was able to make two MLS appearances. He’s definitely a player to watch given his intriguing potential.
Red Bull New York will close out the 2026 campaign with a postseason friendly against Club América at Sports Illustrated Stadium on Saturday, November 14, at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
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