Red Bull New York Introduces New Leadership Era
In the first official press conference under the new leadership of Michael Bradley and Julian de Guzman, the two emphasized a strong vision for revitalizing Sports Illustrated Stadium.
Since the disappointing conclusion to their 2025 season, Red Bull New York, which underwent a rebranding at the year’s start, has significantly revamped its team. Many familiar faces are gone, and there’s a clear focus on integrating younger players into the lineup.
“The style of play we aim to adopt is essential. Change is needed, plain and simple,” de Guzman stated during the event announcing Bradley as head coach.
Recently, the club has traded longtime player Sean Niels, star forward Lewis Morgan, and promising talent Peter Stroud.
Veteran goalkeeper Carlos Coronel also exited after last season, marking the end of the team’s MLS playoff streak that lasted 15 years.
De Guzman mentioned that they are “very close” to addressing their goalkeeping situation following Coronel’s departure. Furthermore, they have signed winger Cade Cowell from Chivas and defender Justin Choi from Brøndby IF.
“It’s crucial to bring in youth and energy,” de Guzman added. “Cade Cowell exemplifies the direction we want to head. He’s made his mark at a top club like Chivas during his early days. He’s keen on playing football and aligns with our identity at Red Bull. This is the kind of player we wish to continue investing in.”
Bradley, who is the son of U.S. soccer legend Bob Bradley, was named head coach on December 15. Since then, he’s engaged in several discussions with team members.
He highlighted the connections he’s fostered at the club’s training facility during his time coaching Red Bull II, noting, “I have relationships with many players, as several have trained with the second team at some point. Often, relationships begin with simple interactions, like having coffee or just passing by each other.”
Red Bull New York is under pressure following a challenging 2025 season, which saw them miss the playoffs and part ways with head coach Sandro Schwartz, who had led the team to its first MLS Cup final since 2008 just a year prior.
While Bradley has a distinguished playing career with the USMNT and internationally, his coaching experience is more limited.
He worked as an assistant to his father in Norway and had brief roles with Jesse Marsh and the Canadian national team earlier this year.
Bradley came aboard to coach the Red Bull’s second team, leading them to the MLS NEXT Pro Cup last fall.
He expressed his commitment to the forthcoming challenges, stating, “This is what I’m dedicating my life to. It’s about building a team that our fans can take pride in and representing the club and community in a way that fosters a sense of belonging for everyone who visits our stadium.”
