Jorge Ruvalcaba is growing in confidence with every passing game for Red Bull New York.
The 24-year-old forward scored the opening goal that helped the Red Bulls to an impressive 3-1 road victory against Chicago Fire FC at Soldier Field on Saturday.
His 45th-minute goal was his fourth of the season and also his fourth goal over his last six MLS appearances.
Ruvalcaba’s four goals between MLS Matchdays 7 and 12 are tied for fifth most in the entire league over that span – and among MLS newcomers, he is tied for third in goals.
Alongside center forward Julian Hall and right-winger Cade Cowell, Ruvalcaba is one-third of an exciting attacking trident that forces opponents to backpedal.
When the trio are all at the top of their game, they’re hard for opponents to slow down.
Michael Bradley Seeing Positive Growth From Red Bull Attack
Head coach Michael Bradley has demanded a brand of fast, aggressive, front-footed football from his young Red Bulls — and Ruvalcaba, Cowell and Hall possess the required pace and energy to play his system.
“When your starting point is 4-3-3, which ours is, certainly you’re going to ask a lot of your wide attackers in terms of what they’re able to do,” Bradley explained during Monday’s press conference.
“In terms of, with the team being dangerous and scoring goals, Julian’s gotten off to a really good start and has been very dangerous and has really helped us get goals and set up plays in other moments. Cade and George have had really, really good games and really good moments to go with that.”
After 12 MLS matches, the attacking trio seems to be finding their cohesion.
“Obviously, it took them both a little while, but now in this last stretch, George has four goals, Cade gets his first goal in Chicago,” Bradley mentioned. “So there are positive signs there for sure.”
Crucial Stretch Awaits Red Bulls Before World Cup Break
As a whole, it feels like the Red Bulls are trending in the right direction, especially after recent improved defensive displays. The positive steps will need to continue on Wednesday when the Red Bulls host the Columbus Crew.
“The mentality of the group, the way that we were able to take some of the things that we have talked about a lot and worked on over this last period, and really apply them in a good way,” Bradley said of the club’s recent performances.
“We were really hard to play against [in Chicago]. We didn’t give away very much at all, and so those things were really positive, and we made sure the group felt really good about that.”
Starting with Wednesday’s 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time meeting with Columbus, the Red Bulls have three more matches between now and the 2026 FIFA World Cup break.
A massive test awaits the Red Bulls on Saturday when rivals New York City FC visit Sports Illustrated Stadium, and an away trip to Sporting Kansas City on May 23 closes out their pre-World Cup schedule.
This feels like a defining stretch for the Red Bulls and one where we’ll learn what this team is truly capable of.
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