With just three games left in the 2026 regular season, Red Bull New York sit in 9th place on 36 points. New York must get good results from their last three games to stay in the postseason; unfortunately, they finish the season against the top three teams in the Eastern Conference.
In a final stretch that includes Nashville SC, the New England Revolution and Inter Miami, Lionel Messi and company make their way to the Sports Illustrated Stadium first. For such an important game, amNY spoke with MLS analyst and former Portland Timbers fullback Keith Costigan to preview the match.
Slowing Down Messi?
The Inter Miami captain leads the MLS in both goals (25) and assists (15). In his long, successful career, no one has stopped him, but Red Bull will need to bother on Saturday.
“We’ve heard every coach talk about how do you stop Messi? I do think you have to make it uncomfortable for him. You have to get numbers around him and deny that space.” Costigan said.
“But I would start a little bit before then. I think the ability for Inter Miami to get the ball to Messi is a massive part of who they are. So, if you can deny him the service, if you can stop him receiving the ball in positions where we know he can really do damage, you give yourself an opportunity,” he added.
Messi will have an impact on this game, but if New York can prevent him from having an abundance of possession, they can throw a cog in Miami’s game plan.
Midfield Battle
With Messi floating in and around the center, coupled with Casemiro being able to step forward from the center-back position, Miami have a bolstered midfield. But the center of Red Bull’s setup is no slouch; anchored by Adri Mehmeti and Ronald Donkor, they are capable of causing issues for Rodrigo De Paul and other midfielders.
“Red Bulls are a dynamic team. You think of Donkor, you think of Mehmeti. I think they want to make it a high-tempo game. I think they want to make it quick. They want to be direct. They want to outrun Inter Miami in those areas. And I look back to the first game; it was 2-2, and it was a back-and-forth game. And yes, Inter Miami, you know, had their moments going forward, but the Red Bulls made it uncomfortable for them,” Costigan said.
Many of Miami’s prominent players are aging while New York have been relying on youth; they can utilize a high-tempo approach to gain an advantage against Miami.
Exploiting Miami’s Poor Defense
Inter Miami have conceded 51 goals this season, so Red Bull will have an opportunity to take something from this game; the key to doing so is their star, Julian Hall.
“They have one of the best young strikers in Major League Soccer, Julian Hall. I think Julian has to be a willing runner in behind. If you allow Casemiro to defend with everything in front of him, I think he’s a great reader of the game, but if you get him on the turn, if you make runs off his shoulder and in behind and you’re aggressive, it’s difficult for him. If he has to cover bigger spaces, all of a sudden he becomes a little bit more normal as a player, not that elite player,” He said.
“So, that’s what you have to do. You have to be willing to stretch. You have to be willing to get in behind. And I think that’s going to be an important aspect for Julian in the attack and the wingers as well, for the Red Bulls to do exactly the same,” Costigan added.
Focusing on Casemiro’s lack of pace and trying to find Hall in behind is the way for Red Bull to get on the scoresheet in this game.
Playoff Outlook
With Toronto, Columbus, NYCFC and DC United all within three points or less of New York, they would need a perfect final three matches to sneak their way into the postseason.
“Red Bull New York have made a commitment to play younger players this year; you’re going to have your ups and downs, but they’re seven points off the tally of last season’s teams that missed out. So, you’re talking about over the end of the season, two wins and a tie, and you still might miss out in the playoffs. So, it’s really difficult,” Costigan said.
“You look back to the DC loss, the Toronto loss; those are the ones that really hurt because those are games that Red Bull New York should be winning. I look at this game as almost a must-win for Red Bull New York. I think if you want to be in the playoffs,you have to take care of business at home,” He concluded.
In a congested Eastern Conference, there is still everything to play for. If Red Bull are to make noise in the playoffs, it starts Saturday night against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami.
