RBNY Offseason Update: Red Bulls Sign Che, Coronel Signs With Orlando City & More

Monday, Dec. 15 was a big day for Red Bull New York, as it announced the appointment of its new head coach, Michael Bradley. Outside of the former Metrostar's promotion from RBNY II, roster news and around the league and roster noise surrounding the Red Bulls continued to chug along. Here are some of the updates from today and earlier in the offseason in which Empire Soccer Report did not yet cover:

Carlos Coronel Signs with Orlando City

Former Red Bulls goalkeeper Carlos Coronel was reportedly in advanced talks to sign for Eastern Conference rival Orlando City S.C. on Monday.

Coronel, who played 180 matches for the Red Bulls over five seasons, will replace long-time Orlando keeper and Peruvian national team stalwart Pedro Gallese. 

At 28 years old, the Paraguayan international had reported interest from Sturm Graz in Austria around the 2023 MLS season but transfer talks fell through. With hopes to play with Paraguay at the 2026 World Cup, Coronel will remain in MLS where a starting role at the club level is ensured.

One of the best keepers in MLS since signing with New York in 2021, Coronel will be remembered alongside the pantheon of goalies in RBNY/Metrostars history, joining the likes of Tony Meola, Tim Howard and Luis Robles. 

Coronel's best moment for the club came in the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs in which he anchored the Red Bulls' defense to the final before losing 2-1 to the LA Galaxy. He was especially impressive in the Eastern Conference final triumph over his new club Orlando City, in which he posted a clean sheet in a 1-0 victory for New York.

RBNY's first match of the 2026 MLS season? Away at Orlando City, Saturday Feb, 21st.

Red Bulls Sign Defender Justin Che

Red Bull New York is reportedly finalizing a deal to sign American right back Justin Che from Brondby IF. The former FC Dallas academy product and USYNT defender has been out of favor in Denmark, having been loaned out of the club twice over the last two seasons and only once featuring for his parent club.

Che, a former Bayern Munich II loanee, received a U.S. national team call up in May of 2021 but was not capped. He was 10 appearances with the U.S. U-20s.

Interest from the Red Bulls around the 22-year-old was first reported by Daniel Rebain of Area Sports Network on Aug. 20 ahead of the 2025 MLS Transfer Deadline. Tom Bogert of The Athletic confirms the deal has resurfaced.

He will compete with right back Dylan Nealis for the starting job in the wide area of defense in Julian de Guzman and Michael Bradley's preferred possession style 4-3-3.

Red Bulls Reportedly Interested in Luca de la Torre & More

With players on their way out, RBNY has been busy behind the scenes looking for targets to integrate into the squad.

Some of the latest names to emerge include USMNT midfielder Luca de la Torre, who completed his season-long loan spell with San Diego FC at the conclusion of the 2025 season. The Southern California native will head back to his parent club RC Celta Vigo in La Liga but is expected to move before the conclusion of his contract at the end of the 2025-26 season as the player hopes to make a push for Mauricio Pochettino's 2026 World Cup squad.

De la Torre has 32 caps for the U.S. men's national team and was part of Gregg Berhalter's roster at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He was an important figure for SDFC through most of 2025, but fell somewhat out of favor in a crowded midfield as the season went on. 

The Red Bulls were also identified as one of many MLS teams interested in 26-year-old American holding midfielder Emeka Eneli of Real Salt Lake. As one of the top sixes in MLS, Eneli, is under contract through 2028 with RSL and the club would not move the player without a great offer in return.

While not indicative of any move pending, this does follow previous reports that the Red Bulls are looking to shop current holding midfielder Daniel Edelman. The homegrown Warren, NJ native joins veteran center back Sean Nealis on the list of tradeable assets for Julian de Guzman as the Red Bulls continue to navigate a tumultuous offseason.

SBI Soccer has also identified the Red Bulls as one of several teams interested in USMNT goalkeeper Ethan Horvath. 

The player will be moving from Sheffield Wednesday when his loan expires on Jan. 3rd and has expressed interest in a return to MLS after spending his entire professional career to this point in Europe.

The move would follow a similar pattern of U.S. national team caliber goalkeepers returning to MLS in recent years, with Horvath potentially joining the likes of Zack Steffen and Matt Turner.