Red Bulls earn Historic Win in MLS Cup Rematch

Published: Sunday, May 11, 2025

by Thomas Kvalo

HARRISON, N.J. --- In a rematch of last season’s MLS Cup, the New York Red Bulls (5-3-4) pummeled the reigning champion Los Angeles Galaxy (0-3-9) on Saturday by a score of 7-0.

The Red Bulls were in control of the game early, constantly pushing forward down both flanks. After applying early pressure, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scored the first goal for the Red Bulls, giving them a 1-0 lead in the seventh minute of play.

The Red Bulls kept attacking, as they found their second goal in the sixteenth minute. Omar Valencia lobbed a pass to Emil Forsberg, who scored from slightly inside of the penalty area.
 
Although the Red Bulls dominated the match, the Galaxy had many scoring chances of their own. New York’s goalie Carlos Coronel displayed a number of terrific saves, with a notable one coming in the twenty-fourth minute. Coronel leaped to the top right corner of his net, barely getting a hand on the ball and keeping the Galaxy off the board.

The scoring continued for the Red Bulls when Choupo-Moting netted his second goal of the night. With Forsberg assisting yet again, the duo allowed the Red Bulls to extend their lead to 3-0.

Shortly after halftime, Forsberg scored his second goal of the night as well. This time on a free kick, the New York Captain got creative to continue the onslaught of scoring in the fiftieth minute for the Red Bulls.

Around the middle of the second half, New York coach Sandro Schwarz emptied some of his bench, which paid dividends nearly immediately. Cameron Harper scored after only a minute on the field, capitalizing on a Dennis Gjengaar deflection in the sixty-eighth minute.

Gjengaar was able to work his way into the box score shortly thereafter, as he found the back of the net in the eighty-seventh minute of play. And continuing to apply pressure until the very end of play, the Red Bulls forced an own-goal on the Galaxy in the final seconds of added time, making the final score 7-0.

This was a historic night for the Red Bulls, with their margin of victory being the largest since their move to Sports Illustrated Stadium in 2010. Notably impressive performances came from stars Choupo-Moting and Forsberg, as they each scored 2 goals. In addition, Forsberg was involved in four out of the seven Red Bulls goals, which is his best tally in a single game since his arrival in New York.

The Red Bulls will be back in action on Wednesday at 8:30 P.M. when they look to build on Saturday’s momentum against Nashville on the road.

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