KEYS TO THE GAME, pres. by Toyota: Nashville SC vs. New York Red Bulls

The New York Red Bulls (0-0-0, 0 pts.) will open the 2024 Major League Soccer season on Sunday, February 25 against Nashville SC at GEODIS Park. 

Here are the Keys to the Game, presented by Toyota: 

Emil’s Entrance

Swedish star Emil Forsberg will make his debut in Major League Soccer when the Red Bulls take the pitch in Nashville on Sunday. Signed as the club’s latest Designated Player, Forsberg will assume the captain’s armband for his first match in Tennessee. 

Forsberg made 325 appearances across all competitions for RB Leipzig, while recording 71 goals and 68 assists. Forsberg has made 86 international appearances for Sweden, where he has scored 21 goals.

Durable Defense

New York is returning all of their defensive line from 2023, which ranked as one of the best in the league. The Red Bulls only allowed 39 goals last season, which was tied for the seventh lowest in MLS.

The Red Bulls led MLS in aerial duels won (688) and recoveries (2206) last season. New York will look to keep Nashville off the board, with Carlos Coronel turning in a clean sheet in three of his four appearances against the TN team.

Cup Clashed

Nashville participated in the Concacaf Champions Cup, emerging victorious over Moca FC on Thursday night, 3-0, in the Dominican Republic. Hany Mukhtar, Sam Surridge and Tyler Boyd got on the board for Nashville, but both Mukhtar and Surridge were subbed off during the match with injuries.

NSC feature three former Red Bulls in Sean Davis, Alex Muyl and Dru Yearwood, all who played on Thursday night, as well. New York might hope to blitz a team coming off short rest. 

Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. ET with coverage on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV in English and Spanish and New York Red Bulls Radio, the New York Red Bulls app and NewYorkRedBulls.com.