- Team form: RBNY's recent form has been mixed (W2, L3) but they are on a losing streak of 2 and have lost their last 2 at home (0-3, 0-3). SDFC are winless in their last 5 (D2, L3), but have drawn back-to-back games. SDFC's games generally feature fewer goals than RBNY's and their 1.15 goals per away game (15 road goals) is average in the MLS in 2026.
A 100% home run for San Diego
Two teams that have both endured miserable MLS 2026 campaigns will meet at the Sports Illustrated Stadium, USA, on Saturday in what looks to be a tight, but lively game on the East Coast.
New York Red Bulls are 17th on 33 points from 27 matches and San Diego FC are 22nd on 32. It's a bottom-half battle in name only, really, as both sides have some way to go before they're back in the business end of the competition.
Michael Bradley took over RBNY from 1 January 2026 and has maintained the club's hallmark style of play, keeping the high press high and the counter-pressing high in a 4-2-3-1 system. Bradley's team have won four, drawn three and lost six of their 13 home games in the MLS 2026, so it is no surprise that they are the underdogs at 2.5 in the game odds on Saturday.
Can San Diego FC keep up with RBNY’s press?
Form and odds
SDFC, who have won two, drawn five and lost six on the road, will be a touch of a wager at 2.42 but we like the visitors to give New York Red Bulls a good game.
Manager and statistics
Mikey Varas took charge on 18 September 2024 and his side's average of 1.15 goals per away game in MLS 2026 is slightly above the league average – although his team has been on a five-game winless run of late.
Tactical approach
Varas has maintained the same possession-first system and blueprint of an attacking blueprint that was in place at the time of his arrival. SDFC line up in a 4-3-3 and will try to dominate territory and possess the ball, which should lead to a very interesting contrast of styles on the day as RBNY's all-action game is designed to make it difficult for teams to build up.
Match scenarios
If RBNY can force San Diego into a turnover high up the field, they will be able to attack a side that aren't prolific finishers. But if SDFC can get the ball into the last third and beyond RBNY's first press, there is the possibility they could open up the game – particularly if RBNY go all in.
Goals at both ends seem likely
Our selection of Both Teams To Score – Yes is based on the possibility that San Diego's defence will get caught out a few times by RBNY's pressure, but also because we feel that RBNY's defence is capable of conceding a few too.
Over 2.5 goals at 1.38 looks too short, but Both Teams To Score – Yes is also a shade too short at 1.33. But there's definitely a chance for both attacks to get a few shots on goal in this match.
- RBNY have conceded 26 goals in 13 home matches and, while that's not a bad record for a team of their standing, it does suggest that there will be chances for the visitors in the Hudson River cauldron.
- Julian Hall leads all scorers for RBNY with 10 goals in 25 MLS 2026 matches, so he is the best option to benefit from the pressing game if they get the chances to finish.
- And Marcus Ingvartsen has been the most prolific for San Diego FC with 12 in 23, so we will take him to be the sharpest route to goal during San Diego's mini-resurgence of two draws.
