Comparing the last time the Red Bulls missed the playoffs in the 2009 Season
The New York Red Bulls have two matches remaining in this 2025 season, and they are on the verge of finishing just outside the playoff line, as the Chicago Fire has a match in hand and a five-point lead for the final spot of the playoffs in ninth place. Back in the 2009 season, the Red Bulls also had a horrible season that ended with not making the playoffs.
Number of Clubs in MLS
In the 2009 season, Major League Soccer had 15 clubs; this season, the league has 30 clubs, including San Diego FC, the new expansion side that began play this season.
Results from both seasons
After reaching the 2008 MLS Cup Final, the team lost to the Columbus Crew. The 2009 season was horrible from start to finish. They only won five games, with multiple losses. qualified for the CONCACAF Champions League, falling to W. Connection of Trinidad & Tobago in the Preliminary Round. After a two-goal lead in away goals, they fell on aggregate 4-3 at Giants Stadium.
This season, the Red Bulls had a better home record while having a horrible road record. They were in a playoff position the majority of the season until the road match in Chicago, as they fell to the Fire by a goal to nil on July 26th. They were able to hang around, but it looks like the end is inevitable. They went deep in the US Open Cup, but fell to the Philadelphia Union in the Quarterfinals.
Injuries: Then and Now
In 2009, Forward Macoumba Kanji suffered a groin injury, and defender Carlos Johnson suffered a foot injury. This season, it was the speedy wingers in Scotland’s Lewis Morgan with a right leg injury, and Cameron Harper, who took a stomping studs challenge during the road match at Austin FC that ended his season.
The Head Coaches
Juan Carlos Osorio was the head coach after being the assistant for a few seasons. After reaching the 2008 MLS Cup Final, he managed the club to a horrible record and resigned his position on August 21st, 2009, allowing Richie Williams to be the interim head coach with eight matches left and earned a 3-2-3 record for 11 points.
Sandro Schwarz, last season, began with a strong start. With a foot injury to Emil Forsberg in the second half of the season, the club dropped its positioning in the Eastern Conference to 7th place, but they made their miraculous run to the final. This season has been self-explanatory, and Schwarz remains as head coach with two matches remaining.
First Time Sports Illustrated Stadium won’t have the playoffs
In 2009, the New York Red Bulls’ last match at Giants Stadium was a 5-0 victory over Toronto FC as they eliminated the Canadian side from reaching the MLS Cup Playoffs. Juan Pablo Angel scored two goals, and Matthew Mbuta was the last goal scorer for Soccer at that famed NFL Stadium. The transition to the new stadium and moving to Harrison from East Rutherford was the start of something magical.
For 15 straight seasons, this club has qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs, made solid runs, and won three Supporters’ Shields, twice at home. In the 2023 season, it looked like that streak was going to end until Luquinhas was tripped up inside the area at Nashville’s GEODIS Park. John Tolkin converted the penalty to continue the streak until the moment finally came.
What could’ve been different
In the 2009 season, it could’ve been better play. It could’ve been adjustments to the tactics that Juan Carlos Osorio could’ve made to make a better run to reach the playoffs. While this season, it’s more of a combination. Poor defensive moments on the road, some tactical decisions, but the worst of the worst was not fixing the scoring issues during the Summer transfer window and the injuries to both Harper and Morgan.
Now the fans are awaiting the final moments of this season to end. Without a doubt, they have been screaming for the club to be better. They thought this season would be another run for the MLS Cup Playoffs and to the MLS Cup Final again, but sadly, history has repeated itself from 2009. What will Red Bull do? Wait till after Decision Day to find out.
New York Red Bulls News:
- Red Bulls Edged by NYCFC, Playoffs are fading fast
- Hudson River Derby Preview: Red Bulls’ Playoff Lives Hang in the Balance
- Red Bulls Play a Complete Game Against Montreal, Sweeps the Series
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