Red Bulls Host FC Cincinnati Sat. Oct. 4, ’25 @Fan Night Showdown

On Saturday, October 4, 2025, the New York Red Bulls will host FC Cincinnati in what promises to be one of the more festive matches of the season: Fan Night, at Sports Illustrated Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m., with gates opening at 6:00 p.m.

As part of the festivities, Red Bulls supporters in attendance (while supplies last) will receive a reversible bucket hat, a nod to the club’s effort to engage and reward its fan base.

In the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer:

• FC Cincinnati sit near the top — they have compiled a 32-game record of 18 wins, 5 draws, and 9 losses, which puts them at 59 points, good for 2nd place overall in the league standings.
• New York Red Bulls are positioned farther down the table with 12 wins, 7 draws, and 13 losses (43 points).

In conference alignment, the Red Bulls are 10th in the Eastern Conference as of current standings. Meanwhile, Cincinnati occupies one of the top spots in the conference, competing strongly in the playoff race.

Thus, while Cincinnati enters the match in strong form and playoff contention, the Red Bulls are fighting to climb toward respectability in the latter stretch of the season.

Match Preview & Key Storylines

This game will mark the 15th regular-season meeting between the two clubs. New York holds the edge in the series, with a 7–4–3 advantage.

For Saturday’s match, head coach Sandro Schwarz has named Dennis Gjengaar and Marcelo Morales to start in attack and defense, respectively.

• In attack, Gjengaar will be paired with Emil Forsberg, Mohammed Sofo, and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. Forsberg comes in riding momentum: he scored his 11th MLS goal of the 2025 season in New York’s previous match (on September 27). That brings his two-season total to 20 MLS goals — tying Clint Mathis for the most by a Red Bulls midfielder in their first two seasons with the club.
• In defense, Morales joins Alexander Hack, Dylan Nealis, and Tim Parker. In goal, Carlos Coronel will man the net.
• The midfield sees a pairing of Gustav Berggren and Ronald Donkor anchoring the center of the park.

Of note: the last time these two teams met at Sports Illustrated Stadium, New York secured a 3–1 victory over Cincinnati — a result the Red Bulls will hope to replicate.

Given the gap in form and position, Cincinnati arrives with external expectations, but New York’s home crowd and the Fan Night energy could be a wild card.

Logistics & Fan Info

• Gates open: 6:00 p.m.
• Match begins: 7:30 p.m.

In addition to the on-field action, fans should be aware that the Harrison Police Department is expected to release a traffic bulletin ahead of the match. Local residents and attendees are urged to plan ahead, allowing extra time for arrival and departure, and to stay alert for road closures or detours in the immediate vicinity of the stadium.

With Fan Night incentives, a storied rivalry match, and playoff implications at stake, this Saturday’s clash between the Red Bulls and FC Cincinnati promises to be one of the season’s pivotal games.

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