It is very early in the MLS Season, and as the matches progress the quality of the Red Bulls is improving as they are getting to the point to where they play matches on their terms.

Overall though there is a ton of positivity around the team as they had into the latest match against FC Cincinnati, though this is going to be one of the toughest test of the 2026 Season.

That is something that Head Coach Michael Bradley reflected on During the team’s zoom information session held on Thursday.

“We use the international break in a really good way. Obviously we had a few guys off with national teams, but the big part of our group was here, and so we were able to really use the time to work and train and continue to move everybody forward. So we feel really good about that. Generally speaking, five games, a lot of things going in a good direction,” said Coach Bradley on what the team was able to do during the international break and the season. “I think we have established good starting points with who we are and how we want to play and what we want to be going forward. And there have been moments where we’ve rewarded ourselves, and moments where we have taken what we should and in other moments we have still paid a heavy price for not quite doing enough with our really good spells of football with our really good periods of controlling and dominating games. And then we get penalized in other moments. And so for me,it’s all part of a new group, a young group, continuing to understand how we can take what we’re doing and make it better and make it count for more, and continue to make the margins for ourselves that much bigger every weekend.”

Coach Bradley was joined by winger Cade Cowell to speak on what things were going to be like going up against Cincinnati and for Cowell what it is like playing with the team thus far.

The Red Bulls have themselves a strong record against Cincinnati in the NJ record, though during the 2025 Season it was FCC coming through with a 1-0 decision.

When it comes time for playing against the visiting side Coach Bradley had this to say, “I know Pat (Noonan) well. Pat was obviously a really good player, and has done a really good job in his time in Cincinnati. I think he has built something that is strong, and I think the success that they’ve had over the last number of years speaks for itself. It’s a team that has a real, clear identity in terms of how they play, certainly when you start to look at individuals, Evander in the period that he’s been in Major League Soccer has consistently been one of the best players in the league, one of the most dangerous players in the league. And so we will understand that a really important part of the game is making things very hard for him. (Kevin) Denkey is a really dangerous attacking, attacking player, strong and fast and has a real, real eye for the goal. And so that part of that part of their team complements the defensive part quite well. It’s a team that plays for the most part three or five in the back, they have a little bit of an ability to choose based on the game, based on who’s healthy available, how they want to use certain guys in which roles they think fit best for that game. But they have a number of guys who fill those roles in a good way. And the two midfielders who play in front of them are hard working, cover a lot of ground and also give them football. So it’s a physically strong team, it’s a well-rounded team, and it’s a team that has some dangerous attacking players. And so we’ve done a good job really looking closely at them and preparing our group for what to expect. And we’re excited to step on the field at home again and play in front of our fans.”

There are a ton of new faces now and concepts that Coach Bradley is bringing to the squad this season and that was all discussed when it came time for the expectations for the match on Saturday, as Coach had this to say, “What we hope to get out of our football and our attack and our wide attacking players, doesn’t really change based on the opponent. We try to put the game on our terms every single weekend, and take the ideas that we have and how we want to play, the football that we want to play, how we want to create chances. And we feel like, ultimately, if we do that really well, that is going to put us in a good spot every weekend, regardless of how the other team plays. Having said that as I said, I agree with you that Cincinnati are a team that play with aggressive wing backs and so our ability to make the game hard on them, will be important, and then in certain moments, if they have moved forward into the attack, the ability for Cade (Cowell) and Jorge (Ruvalcaba) and any of our wide attacking players then to take advantage of the space that they have left behind them, and now force their right and left center backs out to have to defend that can be a good thing for us. Having said all that, I would certainly expect them to have watched us and to know a lot of what is coming. And so they’ll also have their ideas about how they think they can put the game on their terms. So that’s football, and that’s what happens every week as you prepare for a game. And that’s still why we believe that if we can be a team that gets really good at what we want to do, how we want to play, the ideas that we have then that puts us in the best spot every weekend.”

As for Cowell he is excited for a chance to be able to show fans in the New York and New Jersey area what he can to do contribute for the team.

Thus far in matches played in four matches and is getting to the form in where he scored 12 goals during this career with the San Jose Earthquakes and Chivas/Guadalajara.

“I’m excited to be here and be a Red Bull and show what I can do. I feel like I’ve shown very little of what I can do. I have a lot left to prove and show throughout the year. And I think that’s coming. It’s only five games in, and I’ve played four so there’s still a lot of time in the season,” said Cowell as to what is means to be a part of the team. “Playing under Michael has been awesome. Teaches me a lot and gives me a lot of confidence to go out there and perform every day.”

So far with the matches being played at Sports Illustrated Stadium the guys have a 1-1 record with the lone victory thus far coming in February against New England.

This Saturday is going to be another chance for the guys to show that they are playing and implementing the style of soccer that they want from the start and to show the ideas and philosophies that Coach Bradley is brining thus far.

The match between the Red Bulls and FC Cincinnati is expected to be played at 7:30 p.m. With those wanting to watch the action can do so on the Apple TV live streaming platform.

For more information on the Red Bulls fans are encouraged to click on the link seen here: