Red Bulls fail to make MLS playoffs for first time in 15 years

The longest active playoff streak in North American professional sports is over. 

The Red Bulls were eliminated from playoff contention on Tuesday night thanks to the Chicago Fire’s 5-3 win over Inter Miami, ending their 15-year run of making the postseason and rendering their final two matches of the season meaningless.

The Red Bulls needed the Fire to lose to keep their slim playoff hopes alive after losing to playoff-bound rival New York City FC over the weekend. 

In an odd coincidence, the last time the Red Bulls missed the postseason (in 2009), it came the year after the club had reached the MLS Cup Final. 

The Red Bulls had made a surprise run to the championship game last year, setting up lofty expectations for the club this season, only to see them come crashing down during an ugly 2025 season. 

“I know everyone is disappointed to maybe not have the qualification for the playoffs. I’m the first one about that,” Red Bulls head coach Sandro Schwarz said about the team’s situation after the loss to NYCFC. “But I would say, [there] was some injuries and without some moments…[the current situation] for me is not the biggest surprise right now. But what I can say is we are trying everything until the end.” 

The Red Bulls did not find the same magic that they had in 2024, which propelled the club to the MLS Cup Final against the Los Angeles Galaxy. 

Injuries have played a part in the team’s struggles this year, including the loss of star Lewis Morgan, who has been sidelined since June with a quad issue. 

Despite a clear need for help on the field, the club didn’t make a splash during the summer transfer window, and the one target they were linked to — RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner — failed to materialize.

The club will have one final home game on Saturday against Cincinnati and then close out the season on the road in Columbus.