St. Louis visits Red Bull NY in playoff-push showdown

Dustin Judge
Red Bulls, St. Louis

St. Louis CITY SC visits Red Bull New York on Wednesday with a Western Conference playoff spot and momentum both on the line. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, with the match streaming on Apple TV.

St. Louis arrives unbeaten in its last five league matches and sits fifth in the Western Conference at 12-8-6. Red Bull New York, at 9-6-11, has been streakier over its last five and currently ranks seventh in the East. According to the Houston Chronicle, the Red Bulls enter having posted back-to-back shutout wins, a sign the home side may be finding its footing at the right time.

St. Louis CITY SC at Red Bull New York game information

  • Date: Wednesday, Sept. 30
  • Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Venue: Sports Illustrated Stadium, Harrison, New Jersey
  • TV/Streaming: Apple TV

St. Louis CITY SC outlook

St. Louis has averaged 6.9 goals per match over its last 10 games, per the Houston Chronicle. The recent five-game stretch includes a 4-2 win over Minnesota United, a 3-0 road victory at Colorado and a 3-1 win over Toronto FC.

Forward Simon Becher leads the club with eight goals and four assists. St. Louis holds a 32-0-1 record in games it scores at least three goals.

St. Louis is 4-4-5 away from home this season, a mark that will be tested against a Red Bull New York side that has tightened up defensively of late. The Houston Chronicle lists Palmer Ault, Brendan McSorley, Damion Downs, Celio Pompeu, Kyle Hiebert and Timo Baumgartl as not expected to play for St. Louis.

Red Bull New York outlook

Red Bull New York has won back-to-back shutouts, 1-0 over Columbus Crew and 1-0 at New York City FC, after a scoreless draw at Seattle. Julian Hall leads the club with 10 goals but is not expected to play, per the Houston Chronicle.

Jorge Antonio Ruvalcaba Castro has scored seven goals for New York this season and figures to carry a heavier attacking burden with Hall unavailable. The Red Bulls are 4-5-3 at home this year and carry a -14 goal differential, reflecting an inconsistent campaign now seeking late-season form.

Key matchup

St. Louis’ high-volume attack meets Red Bull New York’s recent defensive tightness: the visitors average 6.9 goals per match over their last 10, while the Red Bulls have posted back-to-back shutouts. Containing Becher and limiting St.

Louis’ scoring chances remains crucial for New York’s stretched roster. high-volume attack faces Red Bull New York’s tightened defense: the visitors average 6.9 goals per match over their last 10, while the Red Bulls have posted back-to-back shutouts. If New York slows Becher and limits chances, Ruvalcaba Castro’s counterattacking threat grows more dangerous.

If St. Louis maintains its attacking tempo, New York’s depleted roster could be overwhelmed.

What to watch

St. Louis sits fifth in the Western Conference with 44 points, holding a playoff spot with a plus-9 goal differential. Red Bull New York is seventh in the East at 33 points, fighting for a playoff berth.

A St. Louis win extends its unbeaten streak and secures its postseason position. A Red Bull New York victory yields three straight wins and a crucial boost in the Eastern Conference race.

Reporting from ESPN, Yahoo Sports, Houstonchronicle and Reuters contributed to this story. Official statistics: ESPN (official league data).

Dustin Judge is the Founder and CEO of Total Apex Media, bringing more than 20 years of writing and editorial experience to the company's growing network of digital publications. He specializes in sports, sports betting, fantasy sports, and digital publishing, with a focus on producing accurate, timely, and engaging content for readers. Dustin oversees editorial strategy, content development, and publishing operations across Total Apex Media while remaining actively involved in sports, betting, and fantasy sports coverage.