Match Preview - Toronto FC vs. New York Red Bulls | OneFootball

When: 1:00 pm Kickoff

Where: BMO Field, 100 Princes' Blvd, Toronto, ON

Where to Watch: Apple TV+, TSN 1 & TSN 3

Who Are Ya? - New York Red Bulls

The Red Bulls arrive in Toronto after suffering a 3-0 humiliating loss to a mediocre CF Montreal team. Despite winning their first two regular season matches, New York seemed to be listless and unable to generate any offense whatseover despite having 67% possession and 12 total shots.

CF Montreal midfielder Wiki Carmona, recently traded from the Red Bulls, led the team to victory with a brace - scoring two goals in each half. The Venezuelan international had revenge on his mind after being unceremoniously shipped out of New York right before the start of the regular season.

Prior to the loss, New York had been riding high with two victories over Orlando and New England. Michael Bradley's side looked cohesive and hard to play against in these wins. However, there is an important caveat - Orlando and New England have yet to record a point in five matches between the two clubs. Perhaps we should temper our praise for Bradley's tactical genius so far as his squad has faced some pretty soft opposition.

Opposing Players to Watch

Emil Forsberg - He is the tactical centre of this New York side. The Swedish international is a master of finding pockets of space between the lines that can pull a defense like Toronto’s out of shape. His vision and delivery on set pieces are world-class. Toronto needs to be wary of his quick, vertical passing style to catch defenders flat-footed.

Cade Cowell - The addition of Cowell on loan from Chivas has given the Red Bulls a terrifying dimension of raw, vertical speed. Cowell is the type of winger who loves to isolate fullbacks in 1v1 situations, using a 30-yard burst that can turn a routine clearance into a breakaway in seconds. For TFC’s backline—which has struggled with recovery speed in the past—containing Cowell requires a collective effort to double up on the wings and deny him the space to knock the ball past the last man and run.

Julian Hall - The 17-year-old homegrown phenom is arguably the most "in-form" player coming into this matchup. Hall has been clinical in the early stages of the 2026 season, recently netting a brace and showing a predatory instinct in the box that belies his age. He isn't just a "prospect" anymore; he is a primary goal-scoring threat who thrives on the Red Bulls' signature high-press system. If TFC is sloppy playing out from the back, Hall is exactly the type of opportunistic finisher who will punish a turnover within two touches. Keeping him quiet will require the center-backs to stay physically tight and not give him a second of breathing room in the "danger zone."

The TFC Connection

The connection between Toronto FC and the New York Red Bulls has never been more intertwined than it is heading into tomorrow’s clash. With legendary figures returning in new roles and young talents swapping sides since 2007 the revolving door between these two Eastern Conference rivals adds a fascinating layer to the matchday drama.

Michael Bradley - The headline of the weekend is undoubtedly the homecoming of Michael Bradley, but this time he’ll be wearing the coaching whistle rather than the captain’s armband. After ten seasons as the heartbeat of TFC's midfield, Bradley returns to BMO Field for the first time as the Head Coach of the New York Red Bulls. Since retiring in 2023, his coaching ascent has been rapid—moving from an assistant role in Norway to leading NYRB II to a title, and finally taking the reins of the senior team this season. Seeing the man who lifted the 2017 MLS Cup trophy in Toronto now orchestrating the high-press of a rival team will be a surreal moment for the fans in the South End.

Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty - The most recent chapter in this cross-border connection involves JMR, who made history as TFC’s youngest-ever signing at age 15. After a winding journey through Montreal and Charlotte, the 21-year-old Brampton native was traded to the New York Red Bulls in February 2026. This move reunited him with Michael Bradley, his former captain and mentor, who now looks to mold the young wingback into a key piece of the New York system. Marshall-Rutty has already secured a starting spot in his first few matches for the Red Bulls, and tomorrow’s game offers him a chance to show his former club exactly how much he has matured since his teenage debut at BMO Field.

Raheem Edwards - On the Toronto side, Raheem Edwards represents a rare "double-return" storyline. A product of the TFC Academy and a member of the historic 2017 treble-winning squad, Edwards spent the 2025 season with the Red Bulls before being claimed off waivers by Toronto just last month. His move back to his hometown club brings his career full circle once again. Known for his versatility and high-energy play on the left flank, Edwards now finds himself tasked with defending against the very same Red Bulls system he was a part of just a few months ago. His intimate knowledge of New York’s tactical setup could be a secret weapon for TFC as they look to exploit gaps in the Red Bulls' defensive transition.

Derrick Etienne Jr. - Rounding out this group of connections is DEJ, a player whose roots are firmly planted in the New York Red Bulls Academy. After signing as a Homegrown player in late 2015, Etienne spent four seasons in Harrison, where he was a key part of the 2018 Supporters' Shield-winning squad. Now a seasoned MLS veteran, he recently re-signed with Toronto FC through the 2026 season after a strong start to the current campaign, including a goal in the season opener against FC Dallas. For Etienne, facing the Red Bulls is always a full-circle moment, as he looks to use the very same high-energy, vertical attacking style he learned in New Jersey to help the Reds secure three points in their home opener.

Let's TF-See - Toronto's Current Form

Toronto earned their first points of the season last weekend with a surprising 1-0 win over FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium. Many were not expecting the club to put in such a positive performance against a Cincinnati squad who had a strong 2025 campaign. New signing Daniel Salloi slotted home the team's only goal in the victory. Loanee Benjamín Kuscevic made his TFC debut and looked solid in the backline. Additionally, Luka Gavran earned the clean sheet by making two important saves.

Toronto's record-signing Josh Sargent is expected to make his TFC debut on Saturday. While he may not play the full 90 minutes, it is expected that Sargent will see some playing time. He is arriving in Toronto with high expectations for marquee performances. One can assume GM Jason Hernandez's fortunes, along with Robin Fraser's job, is going to be tied to Sargent's ability to adjust to MLS.