Photo credit: Daniel Rebain
Last season saw the beginning of the Sandro Schwarz era in New York and Red Bull went on to make their first MLS Cup Final since 2008, losing to the LA Galaxy 2-1 in heartbreak fashion.
This winter, Red Bull underwent a total re-tooling under Head of Sport Jochen Schneider, with some big faces shipped out of town, and some even bigger names brought in to get Red Bull back to the ultimate prize in 2025. Here's everything that went down the past couple of months at Melanie Lane.
Incoming Transfers (Total Expenditure $2,300,000)
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, 35 (03/23/1989), Striker
Team: Bayern Munich (Germany)
Fee: FREE
Contract: Signed through 2026, option for 2027
Fans have long called for reinforcements to the striker room at the newly named Sports Illustrated Stadium for a couple of years now, and the front office finally went out and got themselves a proven goal scorer in Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.
As a free agent after the last European season, Choupo is coming off four seasons with the Bundesliga record champions, Bayern Munich, after two seasons in Paris. The biggest signing this winter to date for Red Bull, Choupo brings 16 years of professional experience to a team that has lacked consistency and production since the departure of the franchise's leading goal scorer Bradley Wright-Phillips in 2020.
In four seasons in Munich, Choupo scored 38 goals in 122 games, mainly as a backup to the legendary Robert Lewandoski. When the Pole left the club in 2022, Chupo took over as the starter and scored 17 goals in 30 games in all competitions before a knee issue hindered the end of his season. Choupo looks to improve a striker room that scored 21 goals last season. Along with Lewis Morgan and Emil Forsberg in attack, Red Bull now has a formidable trio leading the line.
A guy like Choupo, who has 457 senior appearances to go along with 73 international caps with Cameroon, will also be a major influence on Red Bull's young strikers like Julian Hall, Wiktor Bogacz, Roald Mitchell, Serge Ngoma, and the newest homegrown striker Tanner Rosborough while producing on the pitch, as Red Bull looks to get back to MLS Cup for a second consecutive season.
Wiktor Bogacz, 20 (07/14/2004), Striker
Team: Miedz Legnica (Poland 2)
Reported Fee: ~$2,000,000
Contract: signed through 2028, option for 2029
Speaking of Bogacz, the only signing that cost Red Bull a transfer fee this winter was Polish second-division striker Wiktor Bogacz. This was a massive signing for Red Bull, not because you beat out a club like Juventus for the player's signature, but because you also bring in quality depth to push the homegrown attackers like Julian Hall, and Serge Ngoma, who are also looking to take that next step in their careers.
For his size, standing at 6'4, Bogacz has excellent acceleration and pace. He’s rapid and very good at getting in behind the defense, similar to how Manchester City's Erling Haaland plays.
Bogacz still needs to develop in other parts of his game, but he will now get to learn under Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who has played professional soccer since 2007. Bogacz would have been three years old when Choupo made his debut for Hamburg against Hannover 96.
The path to the starting XI is right in front of Bogacz. With Red Bull selling designated striker Dante Vanzeir and trading Elias Manoel, minutes will be available for the young pole to grab a hold of, especially with the history of Lewis Morgan's hip and Choupo-Moting set to turn 36 in March.
Alexander Hack, 31 (09/08/1993), Center Back
Team: Al-Qadsiah (Saudi 2)
Fee: FREE
Contract: Signed through 2026, option for 2027
A big theme of the offseason for Red Bull was to bring in more experienced players, and Alexander Hack checked that box. Playing under current Red Bulls head coach Sandro Schwarz at Mainz, Hack has 254 professional games under his belt throughout the German pyramid over ten years. After multiple phone calls from Schwarz in September, Hack was convinced of the opportunity in MLS with Red Bull and he signed with the club a couple of months later.
Hack has played for 15 coaches in his career, but he's played the most under Schwarz, playing 68 games between both Mainz and Mainz II. A flexible center back, Hack has seen time in both three-back and four-back defenses in his career. At least to begin, Red Bull seems to be favoring three at the back with the left-footed Hack playing at left center back. Hack also brings an excellent aerial presence to the team, especially on set pieces, scoring twice this preseason off of corner kicks.
The only question mark of Hack's game this preseason is a combination of his recovery speed and the team's high line. This was highlighted after expansion side San Diego FC torched Red Bull's defense 6-0 in the team's final preseason game. Schwarz said the team has identified what the problems were defensively in California and adjustments would be made for the season opener against FC Cincinnati.
Marcelo Morales, 21 (06/06/2003), Left Back
Team: Club Universidad de Chile (Chile)
Fee: FREE (Reported $500k payment to U. de Chile)
Contract: Through 2027, option for 2028
With the departure of John Michael Tolkin from the club, there was a major void at the left-back position at Red Bull for the first time in almost 20 years. Keeping with the mantra of finding young talent all over the globe, Red Bull found their heir to JMi's position in 21-year-old Chilean left back Marcelo Morales.
Born in San Miguel, Chile, Morales made his debut for Club Universidad de Chile in 2020 and in 2021 became the starting left back for the club, eventually making 110 appearances scoring twice and recording 16 assists in all competitions. Morales is a modern wingback who likes to get into the attack dribble past his opponents and use his excellent left foot to whip crosses into the box and create offensively. But there's a difference between Tolkin and Morales, being that Morales is much more involved defensively and is a more "complete" wingback.
Despite just being 21, Morales has already made his debut with the Chilean National team, making two appearances in CONMEBOL's FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Brazil and Colombia in October. Morales is capable of filling the shoes of a former fan favorite and could be the next great Red Bull wingback transferred to Europe following the footsteps of JMi, Kemar Lawrence, and Michael Amir Murillo.
Raheem Edwards, 29 (07/17/1995), Left Back
Team: CF Montreal
Fee: FREE
Contract: through 2026, option for 2027
Adding more depth to the roster was a big key for Red Bull this offseason and to go along with the Morales signing, New York signed free agent Raheem Edwards. The Canadian spent the last two seasons with Montreal after stops with Toronto, Chicago, Minnesota, and both LA teams. Edwards is a veteran in MLS with 174 games in the league, winning both the 2017 Supporters Shield and MLS Cup with Toronto.
By trade, Edwards is more of an attacking wingback who likes to join the attack, while excelling with his technical ability and supreme IQ in the final third. In his professional career in North America, Edwards has amassed 16 goals and 29 assists in his ten-year career. With Red Bull set to play more three at the back in 2025, Edwards is also a big scheme fit for Sandro Schwarz and the rest of the coaching staff.
With New York, Edwards gives Schwarz a safety blanket for Marcelo Morales if he gets off to a slow start after receiving his visa late into the preseason and just arriving in the United States. Bringing in Edwards also allows him to be a mentor for all the young wingbacks in the organization, including Morales.
Tim Parker, 31 (02/23/1993), Center Back
Team: New England Revolution
Fee: FREE
Contract: through 2025, option for 2026
Along with Alexander Hack, Red Bull added a second veteran center back this winter, this time bringing home an old friend in Long Island native Tim Parker. After four seasons apart, Parker returns to the club where he had the most success in his career, winning the 2018 Supporters Shield with the Red Bulls.
Parker brings with him 321 MLS games under his belt and will be a major veteran influence in the locker room alongside other Long Island native Sean Nealis, Carlos Coronel, Emil Forsberg, and Eric Choupo-Moting. Bringing in a player like Parker helps the depth in the center back room, especially with the team set to play three at the back more than usual in 2025, and at the very least increases the competition at training for a guy like Noah Eile and pushes him to get better in his second season in MLS.
A.J. Marcucci, 25 (07/31/1999), Goalkeeper
Team: IF Gnistan (FIN)
Returning From Loan (12/31/24)
A familiar face returning to New York in 2025 is A.J. Marcucci who was on loan for the second half of last season in Finland. On his loan, Marcucci was uber-successful, allowing just 17 goals in 14 starts and recording five clean sheets. Marcucci also helped a bottom of the table Gnistan side out of relegation and almost into European competition.
Returning to New York in 2025, A.J. is the new backup at Red Bull with the retirement of Yonkers native Ryan Meara. Marcucci should see some games in the US Open Cup and will also be between the pipes whenever Carlos Coronel goes off to National team camp with Paraguay.
Omar Valencia, 20 (06/08/2004), Left Back
Team: New York Red Bulls II
Contract: Signed thru 2027, option for 2028
A senior Panamanian international, Omar Valencia finally inked his name on a first-team contract after two and a half seasons with Red Bull II. In 42 games with the second team, Valencia consistently showed his quality at left-back, proving to be one of the team's best players the past couple of seasons. Under Ibrahim Sekagya, Valencia improved in every facet of his game from defending, crossing, and his overall positioning.
With John Tolkin finally departing for Europe, Valencia has had the opportunity to show Sandro Schwarz why he deserves time with the first team alongside Chilean international Marcelo Morales.
At the international level, Valencia has already made his debut with the senior "Los Canaleros", making three appearances. The future is bright for Valencia and could follow in former Panamanian Red Bull, Micheal Amir Murillo's footsteps to Europe in the next couple of years.
Tanner Rosborough, 16 (03/21/2008), Striker
Team: New York Red Bulls II
Contract: Signed thru 2028, option for 2029
After making his professional debut in 2023 with Red Bull II, Tanner Rosborough signed a homegrown contract with the first team starting in 2025. Last season with the second team, Rosborough was a consistent at striker for Ibrahim Sekagya with Roald Mitchell missing most of the season with a torn ACL. As a 16-year-old, Tanner scored seven goals and collected four assists in 23 matches. Expect Tanner to lead the line for RBII in his second full professional season.
This preseason, Tanner was called up to the USYNT U17's for the first time and helped the US qualify for the U17 World Cup in Qatar with a four-goal performance against Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Adri Mehmeti, 15 (04/06/2009), Defensive Midfielder
Team: New York Red Bulls II
Contract: Signed thru 2028, option for 2029
One of the biggest American prospects in the 2009 class, Adri Mehmeti put pen to paper on his homegrown contract this past December and joins the likes of Julian Hall as one of the best teenagers in MLS. Possibly the best midfielder talent from the Red Bull academy since Tyler Adams, Mehmeti is an all-tool player from the "6" position. Adri made his professional debut with the second team last May and then was a consistent player in the squad for the rest of the season under Ibrahim Sekagya, making 15 appearances and recording one assist.
The Albanian-American will be a big part of the second team's starting lineup in 2025, but don't be shocked to see the soon-to-be 16-year-old make his MLS debut at any time this season. The US Open Cup and Leagues Cup will also be avenues for first-team playing time for Mehmeti.
Aiden Jarvis, 18 (11/14/2006), Defensive Midfielder
Team: New York Red Bulls II
Contract: Signed thru 2028, option for 2029
The third homegrown signing in the 2025 class is Adien Jarvis, an Antigua and Barbuda U20 international. Aiden arrived at the Red Bull Academy from the Barcelona Residency Academy in Arizona and has since played 35 games over two seasons with New York Red Bulls II, 23 games coming last season. Jarvis has one professional goal, scoring against the Hudson Valley Hammers in the opening of the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
To start preseason, Jarvis joined the first team while the team was down in Florida and on their trip to California. Aiden drew major praise from Head coach Sandro Schwarz and was "excited" to reward him with a first-team contract. Still, expect Jarvis to spend most of his time with Red Bull II in 2025, playing next to Mehmeti in midfield.
Two International Slots
Team: Seattle
Fee: $350k GAM ($300k in ’25 & $50k in ’26)
One International Slot
Team Montreal
Fee: $275K GAM ($225k in '25 & $50k in '26)
Outgoing Transfers (Total Income: $7,300,000)
John Michael Tolkin, 22 (07/31/2002), Left Back
Team: Holstein Kiel (Bundesliga)
Fee: ~$3M + Sell on %
Dante Vanzeir, 26 (04/16/1998), Striker
Team: KAA Gent (Belguim)
Fee: ~$3M + Sell on %
Andres Reyes, 25 (09/08/1999), Center Back
Team: San Diego FC (MLS)
Fee: $800k GAM ($600k in ’25 & $200k in ’26)
Elias Manoel, 22 (11/30/2001), Striker
Team: Real Salt Lake (MLS)
Fee: $700k GAM ($550K in ’25 & $150k in ’26)
Cory Burke, 33 (12/28/1991), Striker
Team: Lexington Sporting Club (USL)
Fee: Released
Aidan O'Connor, 23 (10/07/2001), Center Back
Team: New York Red Bulls II
Fee: Released
Ryan Meara, 34 (11/15/1990), Goalkeeper
Team: Retired
