Bradley hails 'signs of a real team' as Red Bulls brace for first-ever clash with 16-game unbeaten St. Louis City
The New York Red Bulls have made it back-to-back wins in MLS, but head coach Michael Bradley believes the most encouraging sign is not the results — it is the collective character behind them.
Speaking ahead of his side's weekend clash with in-form St. Louis City SC, Bradley said he saw "the sign of a real team" in the Red Bulls' recent performances, which have delivered 1-0 victories over the Columbus Crew and rivals New York City FC.
Hall's heroics powering the Red Bulls
Julian Hall once again proved the difference-maker against NYCFC, scoring the lone goal in that 1-0 win. The goal was the 18-year-old's 10th of the season and his fourth match-winner — a haul exceeded only by Diego Fagundez, who struck five match-winning goals for the New England Revolution in 2013 as a player aged 18 or younger.
Goalkeeper Ethan Horvath backed up Hall's decisive strike with four saves against NYCFC, but Bradley was quick to credit the entire group rather than any individual.
"Ethan has been ready to make some big plays," Bradley said. "He's been there for us and the guys in the back, but in reality it's the guys in the back and the midfielders and the attackers coming back.
"There's a lot of guys who make some big plays, some big blocks, some really hard reactions.
"That's the sign of a real team."
St. Louis City arrive red-hot and uncharted territory awaits
The Red Bulls' reward for their mini-surge? A first-ever meeting with one of the league's hottest teams.
St. Louis City have not lost in any competition since May 3, a run that has lifted them to third in the Western Conference — just five points behind leaders the Vancouver Whitecaps — and carried them to the finals of the US Open Cup.
Their most recent outing was a 3-1 home win over Toronto FC, which extended their regular-season unbeaten run to 16 matches (W11 D5). That streak equals the 16-game run the Red Bulls themselves produced in 2016 and stands as the third-longest single-season unbeaten stretch in MLS history — behind only FC Dallas' 19 straight in 2010 and Columbus' 18 in 2004.
St. Louis' last away outing in MLS was a 2-2 draw with the Portland Timbers. Saturday's match will be the club's 148th in all competitions and 130th in the regular season, but its first against New York Red Bulls.
Players to watch
New York Red Bulls – Cade Cowell
With top scorer Julian Hall unavailable after being called up to the United States squad, Cade Cowell will look to step up for NYRB. The 22-year-old has scored twice in 2026 and registered six assists this term, with only Emil Forsberg (seven) posting more for the club.
St. Louis City – Simon Becher
Seven different St. Louis players have at least five goal contributions during the club's current 16-game unbeaten run, but it is Simon Becher who leads the way with nine (seven goals, two assists). In total, nine different St. Louis players have scored a match-winner during the streak, with Tomas Totland the only one to do so more than once.
Match prediction
This will be St. Louis City's 148th match in all competitions and 130th in the regular season, but their first-ever meeting with the Red Bulls — and the numbers suggest the visitors will be a stern test.
New York have posted back-to-back wins for the third time this season, but they have strung together three straight regular-season victories only once in the last three seasons, doing so in May 2025. St. Louis, meanwhile, show no signs of slowing down.
Prediction: St. Louis City win.
Opta win probability: New York Red Bulls 31.5% | Draw 25.2% | St. Louis City 43.3%