New York Red Bulls v D.C. United: Bradley calls for more invention in final third

Michael Bradley wants his New York Red Bulls team to play with greater speed and incision, as they look to get back to winning ways against D.C. United on Wednesday.

The Red Bulls have enjoyed a generally positive start to Bradley’s first MLS campaign at the helm, but they followed up a creditable 2-2 draw with Inter Miami with a dismal 4-1 defeat to CF Montreal on Saturday.

They now sit eighth in the Eastern Conference after eight matches, one place and three points above D.C., who make the trip to Sports Illustrated Stadium in midweek.

And if Rene Weiler’s visitors arrive with a plan to sit in, Bradley wants his team to prove they have what it takes to break them down.

“We want to be able to play a little bit faster, to find different ways to get in the box. And even against a team that is deep, to still be able to play in tight spaces and then get the third guy running through,” Bradley said after the Montreal defeat.

“We had moments that were promising, but it was an afternoon where we lacked the final part, being able to get the ball across in the right way, or an extra pass to set up an even better shot, a recognition of how to make the last part of the move a little bit faster.”

Final. pic.twitter.com/TjyH2dKyRQ

— Red Bull New York (@NewYorkRedBulls) April 18, 2026

D.C. played out a goalless draw against the Philadelphia Union last time out, stopping the rot after a run of three straight defeats, including a penalty shoot-out loss to One Knoxville in the U.S. Open Cup.

Weiler was pleased with the way his team battled against the Union, saying: “It was a tough game. I knew it would be, but I saw a team with togetherness, and we have to bring this fighting spirit all the time on the field.

“We did it sometimes this season, not all the time, but we have to do this all the time. The team deserved a point because the fighting spirit was great.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

New York Red Bulls – Julian Hall

Hall is the Red Bulls’ leading scorer this season, netting five times in MLS, with three of those strikes opening the scoring.

He also has two assists, putting him joint-fifth among all players in the division for direct goal involvements (seven).

D.C. United – Tai Baribo

Baribo’s three goals this year are the most of any D.C. United player, with those efforts coming from just five shots on target.

D.C. have now gone four MLS games without scoring, though, so this would be the ideal time for the Israeli to rediscover his form in front of goal.

MATCH PREDICTION – NEW YORK RED BULLS WIN

D.C. have now gone four MLS games without a win, while their four goals scored in eight MLS matches this year are the fewest of any team.

They also boast the third-best defensive record in the East, though, conceding only nine times, which is in stark contrast to the back-and-forth games involving New York.

The Red Bulls’ games this season have contained 31 goals – Montreal and FC Cincinnati (both 32) are the only teams in the Eastern Conference to see more goals scored in their matches.

New York have won two of three games on their own turf this season, and the Opta supercomputer feels home advantage makes them favourites for this one.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

New York Red Bulls – 62.2%

D.C. United – 17.8%

Draw – 20%