Red Bulls facing the Consequences of Failing to Continue their Playoff Streak

The Red Bulls have two matches remaining before the regular season comes to an end

East Hanover, NJ – After the Chicago Fire made up their match against Inter Miami and took down the South Beach side to officially clinch the last playoff spot, knocking out the Red Bulls and ending their 15-year consecutive playoff appearance streak in North American Sports. Now facing the reality that their last two games against both Ohio clubs in FC Cincinnati and the Columbus Crew, both matches will be for pride.

Sandro Schwarz addresses the media

When the press conference started at the Red Bulls Training Facility, the sound of his voice was somber. He came to the reality of the failed season, they put themselves into with two matches remaining, as they couldn’t fight for the chance to knock off the Chicago Fire.

“I can 100% understand the question because from the Tuesday game with the result from Chicago, of course, it’s now the final decision that we don’t reach the playoffs, so that’s now a clear situation. And of course, yesterday when we met the first time here in our facility for the training session, of course, it was not the. best atmosphere then, and everyone was disappointed about that.

But on the other side, we had a meeting yesterday about the situation right now, and what I can say right now is I can find so many reasons that it makes sense to be successful on Saturday. And it’s not only because we are professionals or something like that; this is because it’s our last game in our home stadium.

Last year we got 47 points; this year we have right now, with two games to go, 43 points. It makes sense for us to have this goal to reach more points than last season. And so many things in our group that make sense to keep the energy until the end. Of course. We don’t have the headline with the playoffs, and we are very disappointed.”

Emil Forsberg explains the disappointment

The Captain of the Red Bulls Swedish International Midfielder Emil Forsberg, came to talk with the media. He discussed the players’ anger and frustration over why they couldn’t get the job done to continue the streak for 16 consecutive seasons to qualify for the playoffs.

“I think everybody coming in on, Wednesday evening coming in Thursday, it’s been a big disappointment in the team, of course, not making the playoffs. I think it’s a big disappointment for us. And in that way, we have to show a reaction in those two games coming up, even though it’s about nothing. It’s about pride, it’s about our fans, about every supporter for ourselves, to show how disappointed we are at ourselves, enough to win these games, to put pressure on ourselves to win these games. I think that’s our responsibility, and that’s what we’ve got to go out and do, and that’s the goal.

Forsberg and the team are angry and frustrated

While Forsberg did have a better season in 2025 than 2024 when he suffered his foot injury during international duty, he felt the disappointment of the current season. His numbers doesn’t mean anything unless the team is doing well and creating success to reach the playoffs.

“Yeah, for me, my numbers don’t matter if we don’t succeed as a team. I think it’s disappointment. We wanted more; we didn’t achieve that. So, for me, it’s the first time I’ve experienced something like this— not achieving a playoff run. We had it last year, which was fantastic. So, for me, it just feels—yeah, I’m mad at us, but at the same time, we didn’t do good enough.

But now, like I said, we have to create energy inside the team and win those two games. And then, next year has to be much much better. But yeah, that’s a discussion for after the season. As of now, we have to focus on these two last games and win those games. And that’s the only key point here.”

Lewis Morgan is officially done

With two matches left, the hope of Lewis Morgan making another return has ended. His injury filled season once again has sidelined him for good until 2026. For two of the these three seasons Lewis Morgan has been plagued with lower body injuries since the 2023 season. No matter how many times he has recovered and returned in the middle of the season, he continues to get injured.

No playoffs at Sports Illustrated Stadium

It’s a bit surreal that the New York Red Bulls for the second time they reached the MLS Cup Finals in the previous season has failed to make the playoffs the following season. In 2009 it was the final year at Giants Stadium before making the transition to play their matches at the Cathedrial of Football.

The 2010 season felt like a brand new era of change and a breath of fresh air when everyone left the Meadowlands of East Rutherford for the confines of Harrison. Once the new stadium opened up a different feeling was felt around the stadium.

For the very first time, this will not happen. No extra match or two after decision day. No glorious run to make a repeat apperance to the MLS Cup Final, the doors will officially close after the final home match this weekend against FC Cincinnati and two weeks after decision day, the Stadium will be locked shut until the new season comes next year.

New York Red Bulls News:

• Red Bulls’ Unveil Hype House: Sports Illustrated Stadium’s First Social Club Redefines MLS Matchday Experience
• Similarities and Differences in Red Bulls’ Missing the MLS Cup Playoffs
• Red Bulls Edged by NYCFC, Playoffs are fading fast

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