After defeating rival New York City FC 2-0 at Citi Field last weekend, the Red Bulls head to Florida to take on the Orlando City SC on Saturday, Nov. 30 with all eyes on the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Final.
This is the Red Bull’s first Eastern Conference Final appearance since 2018 and a win will advance them to the MLS Cup Final for the first time since 2008. If Orlando SC is victorious, it will be the club’s first time ever making it to the MLS Cup Final.
The Red Bulls (W11-L9-T14; 47 points) record against Orlando City SC (15-12-7; 52 points) stands at 1-0-1, including a 1-0 win June 1 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison.
Captain Emil Forsberg, in his first season with the Red Bulls, tallied 10 goals and six assists. Lewis Morgan is the club leader in goals (13) and assists (10).
Head Coach Sandro Schwarz marks his first season with the Red Bulls, now the fourth coach in franchise history to lead the team to the Eastern Conference Final in as a first-season coach, the Red Bulls said in a statement.
The Eastern Conference
The Eastern Conference Final at Inter&Co Stadium in downtown Orlando begins at 7:30 p.m. EST. Fans can tune in on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV in English and Spanish, and New York Red Bulls Radio in English via the New York Red Bulls app and online at NewYorkRedBulls.com.
A viewing party is being held at Mulligan’s Pub in Hoboken starting at 6:30 p.m., with trivia, giveaways, a DJ and other fun. Some other watch parties happening in the area include: Varitage Brew Works in Bloomfield, Scots American Club in Kearny, Celtic Corner in Hawthorne, and 1 Republik in North Arlington.
The MLS Cup Final Final is Dec. 7 and will be hosted by the winner of the Western Conference, LA Galaxy versus Seattle Sounders FC, with seven MLS Cups combined between the two teams. The Western Conference Final takes place on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 10 p.m. EST.
Who is Favored to Win?
According to MLS and IMG Arena, the odds favor a MLS Cup Final pitting the New York Red Bulls against the Seattle Sounders FC. However, experts weighing in have a wide range of analysis and expert opinions pointing to different case scenarios.
ESPN journalist Jeff Carlisle said the Red Bulls fan base deserves the trophy, because in the club’s 30-year history, the team made it to the finals just once — and didn’t win. The Red Bulls also suffered numerous brushes with championships that ended in disappointment.
He favors Galaxy vs Red Bulls for the final because “you’ve got the team with the most MLS Cup wins against an MLS original that has never won it.” These two teams have a “fascinating contrast in styles” that will make for “compelling viewing.”
