New York Red Bulls Fall Short in MLS Cup Final, But Their Journey Inspires Hope for the Future
CARSON, Calif. — Let’s take a moment to appreciate the New York Red Bulls. When the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs kicked off back in October, few believed the Eastern Conference’s No. 7 seed would make much noise. Yet here we are, reflecting on a playoff run that defied all expectations and nearly delivered the franchise’s first-ever MLS Cup title.
It all started with a stunning upset over the 2023 champions, Columbus Crew, in the opening round. That alone felt like a miracle. But the Red Bulls weren’t done. They followed it up with a conference semifinal victory over their bitter rivals, New York City FC, and then edged out Orlando City SC in the conference final. This improbable run made them the lowest-seeded team in MLS history to reach the championship match. Talk about rewriting the script!
Fast forward to Saturday at LA Galaxy’s Dignity Health Sports Park, where 2,200 Red Bulls fans made the cross-country trek to witness history. The energy was palpable. Could this be the day the Red Bulls finally lifted the MLS Cup? For fans like Eric Vividor, who traveled from the Bronx, the anticipation was overwhelming.
“There’s something different in the air, it smells different, it tastes different,” Vividor told ESPN during a spirited half-mile march to the stadium, complete with smoke bombs and deafening chants. “If Red Bull picks up that cup title, you’re going to see a lot of grown men cry.”
A Legacy of Heartbreak
For Red Bulls fans, the journey to this moment has been anything but easy. From the MetroStars era of the 1990s to the modern-day rebranding under Red Bull ownership, the club has endured its fair share of playoff heartbreaks. Despite the financial backing of Red Bull Global, fans like Vividor feel the team has often fallen short of its potential.
“We’ve asked for more growth since before we got into the playoffs,” Vividor said. “We’re an original team, we’ve been rebranded, we’re part of a system that has money. Why are you not investing more in us?”
To their credit, Red Bull Global did cover tickets for fans who provided proof of travel to Saturday’s game. But for Vividor and the sea of red in the stands, the ultimate prize remained elusive.
The Final Showdown
In a hard-fought match, the LA Galaxy emerged victorious with a 2-1 win. The Red Bulls, known for their high-pressing and aggressive style, were caught off-guard by the Galaxy’s decision to mirror their tactics. Missing their injured star Riqui Puig, the Galaxy packed the midfield with pragmatic players who outpaced and outmuscled the visitors.
“We weren’t that aggressive as we should be, maybe not that clever with the ball [during] the first 15 minutes,” admitted Red Bulls playmaker Emil Forsberg after the match. “But as well, we played against a very good team, they’re gonna create chances, they scored two good goals.”
The Galaxy struck first with goals from Joseph Paintsil and Dejan Joveljic. But the Red Bulls clawed their way back into the game when defender Sean Nealis capitalized on a scrappy corner to cut the deficit in half. The 28th-minute goal sent the Red Bulls faithful into a frenzy, with one fan waving a “Believe” sign inspired by the hit TV show Ted Lasso.
Second-Half Resurgence
At halftime, Red Bulls head coach Sandro Schwarz rallied his team. He called for higher pressing, tactical adjustments, and a renewed sense of urgency. “We lost the first 15 minutes of the game,” Schwarz said. “But now it’s possible to change the result and to believe.”
The Red Bulls responded with a stronger second half, doubling their shot tally from three to six. Full-backs and midfielders pushed forward, forcing a couple of saves from Galaxy goalkeeper John McCarthy. But despite their efforts, the equalizer never came.
Lessons Learned
As the final whistle blew, the Red Bulls were left to reflect on what might have been. Their playoff run was remarkable, especially considering their regular-season record of 11 wins, 14 draws, and 9 losses. Forsberg, who missed part of the season due to injury, acknowledged the team’s struggles to finish games earlier in the year.
“The guys played very good games,” Forsberg said on Friday. “We just couldn’t finish them.”
That sentiment rang true on Saturday. But despite the heartbreak, Schwarz remained proud of his team. “What I can say is always the same, I love these guys, how the reaction was [in the second half],” he said. “Now they are in the locker room. For sure, some guys they are crying … sometimes it’s tough when you lose the final but also [we need] to use this experience to create the next energy, the next intensity.”
Looking Ahead
For the Red Bulls, this playoff run could be a turning point. They proved they can compete with the best, even as underdogs. With the right investments and a renewed sense of purpose, 2025 could be the year they finally break through and claim their first MLS Cup title.
As Vividor put it, the Red Bulls sometimes feel like the “ugly stepchild of Red Bull Global.” But if this year’s run is any indication, the team has the potential to shed that label and become a true powerhouse. For now, the fans will keep believing—and maybe, just maybe, the tears of heartbreak will turn into tears of joy.
Originally Written by: Cesar Hernandez
