October 28 – The New York Red Bulls and LA Galaxy of Major League Soccer were supposed to ride the crest of the wave after their respective journeys to the 2024 MLS Cup Final. Instead, both clubs stumbled through 2025 and missed out on postseason play with predictable consequences.
Last season, the Red Bulls were making a mesmerising run through the Eastern Conference, but this season missed the playoffs for the first time in 15 years. That collapse led to a shake-up as manager Sandro Schwarz was given his walking papers, and sporting director Jochen Schneider resigned to return to Europe for family reasons.
“We are deeply grateful for all that Jochen has brought to our organisation during his time here,” said club president Marc de Grandpré. “His leadership was instrumental in assembling a team that competed at the highest level… but we respect his decision and wish him and his family all the best.”
Schneider called his time in New York “an incredible privilege,” adding, “Mentoring Julian [de Guzman] has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my time here.” De Guzman, who led the reserve side for two seasons, now steps up as the new sporting director.
Ironically, LA Galaxy, winners of last year’s final, fared even worse, finishing just two points from claiming the wooden spoon. Their 2025 campaign unravelled spectacularly, and it took 17 matches until they notched their first win in the 2025 league campaign.
Former NYRB player and US International, Michael Bradley, son of former USMNT head coach Bob Bradley, is widely rumoured to be in the running for the vacant position.