Red Bulls Host 1st Place Union Sat.8/16/25 @Sports Illustrated Stadium

The New York Red Bulls return home this Saturday, August 16, 2025, for a high-stakes clash against the first-place Philadelphia Union at Sports Illustrated Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m., and Toyota will present the match. Fans will also be treated to a post-game fireworks display sponsored by Audi.

Red Bulls Riding Home-Field Momentum

New York (10-10-6, 36 points) has been dominant at home this season, boasting a 9-2-2 record in MLS play at Sports Illustrated Stadium — their best home mark since 2019. Saturday’s match will mark the club’s 48th all-time meeting with the Philadelphia Union. While Philadelphia leads the all-time series 22-16-9, the Red Bulls have the edge at home with a 10-6-5 record in Harrison.

A victory would give New York its 150th career MLS win at Sports Illustrated Stadium, a milestone that would energize a playoff push.

Philadelphia’s Challenge

The Philadelphia Union (15-5-6, 51 points) arrives in Harrison atop the league standings and carrying a 6-4-2 road record. Philadelphia has not lost at Sports Illustrated Stadium since 2019, a streak New York will be eager to end in front of their home crowd.

Stars in Form

Captain Emil Forsberg and striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting have been central to the Red Bulls’ attacking success.

• Forsberg has recorded seven goal contributions in his last seven MLS appearances, including an assist in the club’s August 10 home match. He has also tallied a goal contribution in four straight games at Sports Illustrated Stadium, bringing his season total to 17.
• Choupo-Moting leads all MLS newcomers with 15 goals this season, tied for third in the league overall. He has been particularly lethal at home, netting eight times in his last six matches in Harrison.

Defensively, Sean Nealis reached a major milestone by surpassing 15,000 minutes played across all competitions for New York, becoming just the seventh player in franchise history to do so. Nealis could continue to climb the club’s all-time appearance ranks with another start or appearance on Saturday.

Game-Day Logistics

The Harrison Police Department has issued a Traffic Bulletin for the match, advising of road closures around the stadium. To minimize disruption to nearby residents, the department provides escorts to residents to allow access for those living in the residential community directly across from the venue, and where there are street closures.

With first place on the line for the Union and a chance for the Red Bulls to hit a historic home win milestone, Saturday night’s match promises to be one of the most electric atmospheres of the season, capped off by fireworks over the Harrison Skyline courtesy of Audi.

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