RBNY Stumbles Through Torneo De Tejas, Back-To-Back 3-2 Losses to Atlanta United and Houston Dynamo

Red Bull New York concluded its preseason slate of matches with a pair of losses to Atlanta United and the Houston Dynamo, respectively.

On Wednesday, Feb. 11, RBNY fell 3-2 to Atlanta in a preseason match in Frisco, Texas before suffering a defeat to the Dynamo at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston on Saturday, Feb. 14 by a score of 3-2.

Atlanta United 3 - 2 Red Bull New York

In front of a limited audience on Wednesday, Michael Bradley trotted out a mixed-strength starting eleven and New York found success early in the match. 

Notably, newest Designated Player signing Jorge Ruvalcaba opened the scoring in the 17th minute of the match, an improvement from his early dismissal in the previous preseason match against FC Dallas.

New York continued their dominance in the first 45, adding a second goal through Julian Hall in the 36th minute for the homegrown's third goal of preseason. 17-year-old RBNY II left back Matty Dos Santos assisted Hall on the goal in the first of two starts for the Sandy Hook, CT native.

Dos Santos may have a bigger role than previously expected in the 2026 MLS season as the club is rumored to be buying veteran full back Raheem Edwards out of his contract. The move would leave Omar Valencia as the senior team's lone natural left back, although Marshall-Rutty can provide coverage on the left, as well.

Things took a turn for New York in the second half, however. Bradley opted to swap out all ten field players while Tata Martino's Atlanta side turned up the heat. The lead would slip away from the Red Bulls with the Five Stripes scoring three goals in a 13-minute span.

To make matters worse, two of the three goals were self-inflicted errors, coming last off of RBNY defenders before hitting the back of the net.

Houston Dyanmo 3 - 2 Red Bull New York

In their final preseason match on Saturday, Red Bull New York suffered an third consecutive 3-2 defeat to the Houston Dynamo in front of season-ticket only crowd at Shell Energy Stadium.

Opting to start with Dos Santos and Marshall-Rutty in the fullback positions and natural right backs Justin Che and Dylan Nealis in the center of defense, New York conceded early. In the eighth minute, Houston DP attacking midfielder Guilherme scored on an untouched deep free kick that confused RBNY keeper Ethan Horvath.

It would be the first of three to complete a hat-trick for Houston's marquee signing of the season, as he added another deep strike and a penalty in the second half.

The Red Bulls would not go quietly, though, as they were able to level the score at halftime on a lovely strike from Ruvalcaba for his second in as many games off a feed from Cade Cowell, who continued to compile assists through preseason.

New York would claw back with a consolation goal in the 83rd minute from DP striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, but it would not be enough as the Dynamo went on to win the game and, ultimately, the exhibition tournament.

RBNY midfielder Gustav Berggren did not play in the final preseason match as he returned home to his family for the birth of his second child.

Overall, New York finishes its preseason with two wins and four losses, including three consecutive losses at the Torneo de Tejas. Against MLS opposition, they managed to defeat St. Louis City but lost to Dallas, Atlanta and Houston. They opened up preseason with a worrying loss to USL League One side (third division) Sarasota Paradise but followed it up with a resounding 5-0 victory over Hartford Athletic of the USL Championship.

In their six preseason matches, the team conceded 13 goals and scored 15 (although two of those came in the additional 45 minutes that were played against FC Dallas). Excitingly, young attacking talent showed why the club is changing direction with its first team, as Costa Rican winger Andy Rojas and Hall led the team in preseason goals with three each, while new signing Cowell tallied five assists that we know of, perhaps more.

Of course, the main concern with the team lies in the center of defense, but the matches won't count until this coming Saturday when RBNY officially kicks off the 2026 MLS season on at Inter & Co. Stadium against conference foe Orlando City.