- Team form: Both Red Bulls and Atlanta United have suffered defeats in their last five matches.
Red Bulls are struggling
New York Red Bulls come into this Saturday's match at Sports Illustrated Stadium in the US in poor shape, having lost four of their last five MLS 2026 games, including back-to-back 3-2 away defeats to New England Revolution and Nashville SC.
Michael Bradley has been the club's coach since 1 January 2026 and has steered them towards a more controlled version of their usual high-pressing 4-3-3, in which they press high, counter-press fast and win the ball back in a flash. The Red Bulls are 22nd in MLS 2026 with 39 points from 33 games and Atlanta United are 27th on 33 points from 33 matches, so there's plenty of poor form to go around.
Five Stripes are in a rut
Form and tactics
Gerardo Martino's men have been in a similar rut of late, winning two and losing three of their last five after following up a 3-1 home win over Toronto FC with defeats to Chicago Fire and New York City FC. The Five Stripes' 4-3-3 system relies on combinations, runs from midfield and sudden bursts into space to hurt opposing defences, but they have been less successful when the game is played at a tempo they can't control.
Key scorers
- Julian Hall leads the Red Bulls' scoring in MLS 2026 with 10 goals in 25 games and is getting back to his best with two goals in their last five.
- Aleksey Miranchuk is the most clinical finisher in Atlanta United's ranks with six goals in 25 appearances.
Home team to nick it
Both teams to Score – No, at 2.85, does have some appeal in this game if the hosts can keep Atlanta quiet. But Red Bulls to Win at 1.9 is the selection here as the home side are a little more consistent on their home turf with one win and one loss in their last two games.
Over 2.5 goals is a touch live at 1.4, however, and this could be an open, end-to-end clash if Bradley's side get on top in the chess match between their high-pressure game and Martino's creative 4-3-3.
