In a 2024 MLS Cup rematch, the New York Red Bulls are out for revenge when they host the LA Galaxy on Saturday in Harrison, N.J.
Los Angeles recorded a 2-1 win over New York in December’s MLS Cup final. Barely six months later, both finalists are far from championship form during the 2025 season.
New York (4-4-3, 15 points) has been inconsistent, with an 0-3-2 road record and a 4-1-1 home record. The Galaxy (0-8-3, 3 points) have been the league’s biggest shock, as the defending champions are just the fourth club in MLS history to start a season with an 11-match winless drought.
Last Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Sporting Kansas City saw Los Angeles make some dubious history as the first MLS team to ever lose without conceding a shot. Despite an 11-0 shots advantage, Maya Yoshida’s own goal was all Sporting needed for the unlikely result.
Galaxy coach Greg Vanney described the situation as “a character checkpoint” for his team, in “answering a difficult moment and being able to find solutions in this moment and be stronger when we come out of it. So that’s the work to be done.”
Ending the winless streak will be more difficult for the Galaxy without two lineup regulars. Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil will both miss Saturday’s match after sustaining hip injuries against Kansas City.
The Red Bulls’ last MLS match was a 4-1 loss against Inter Miami last Saturday. New York had to quickly pivot to U.S. Open Cup action and earned a 4-1 win over the USL’s Colorado Springs Switchbacks on Tuesday.
After “not the best moment” in Miami, New York coach Sandro Schwarz felt his team did well in bouncing back.
“New competition, we had to be focused there. New structure, same principles. This is what we have to do, and to do our job,” Schwarz said.
Daniel Edelman has missed the Red Bulls’ last four MLS matches due to a hamstring injury but is expected to be available Saturday after playing 30 minutes against Colorado Springs. Felipe Carballo is questionable to face Los Angeles due to a knee injury.
–Field Level Media
