New England Vs Ny Red Bulls: Matthew Dos Santos Added on Short-Term Agreement Ahead of Home Opener
Red Bull New York have added RBNY II defender Matthew Dos Santos on a short-term agreement ahead of the club's home opener in new england vs ny red bulls, a roster move that brings a young, in-form option into the senior squad just before kickoff. The timing matters as both teams look to recover and build after opening-day action.
New England Vs Ny Red Bulls: Dos Santos Available for Home Opener
Dos Santos, 17, will be available for the Red Bulls' home opener with kickoff set for 2: 30 p. m. ET. The short-term agreement elevates a player who has already made his Major League Soccer debut and first MLS start this season, and it injects youth and recent competitive postseason experience into the matchday group for new england vs ny red bulls.
Dos Santos' Rise and RBNY II Credentials
The defender made his MLS debut and first career MLS start in New York’s 2-1 road win over Orlando City SC, becoming the ninth youngest player to start an MLS match for the club at 17 years, 261 days old. He spent the last two seasons with RBNY II in MLS NEXT Pro, where last season he made 21 appearances and recorded three goals and three assists.
Dos Santos played in all four matches in the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs, delivering two postseason assists — the most by a defender in club history. He also tallied the match-tying assist in the 2-1 win over Philadelphia Union II in the Eastern Conference final, and was part of the RBNY II side that captured the club’s first-ever MLS NEXT Pro Cup title. Earlier in his development, he was a member of the 2023 U-15 MLS NEXT Cup championship team and began in the club's pre-academy at age nine in 2017.
Match Implications and What to Watch
The addition of Dos Santos on a short-term agreement changes the immediate depth chart for the Red Bulls ahead of the home meeting. His recent first-team minutes and playoff contributions for RBNY II offer a coach a youngster who has shown both attacking end-product and postseason composure from the backline. For new england vs ny red bulls, that profile matters in a fixture described as a mirror match between sides that both brought in youthful personnel and new coaching leadership.
On the opposing side, the matchup narrative highlights progressive offensive intent and early season adjustments. The opening rounds produced notable attacking displays, including a match where a 17-year-old striker recorded a brace and a 16-year-old midfielder supplied an assist while an experienced playmaker set up the early goal. Those developments underscore why team selection and in-game management will be decisive in this fixture.
With kickoff at 2: 30 p. m. ET, the short-term promotion of Dos Santos gives the Red Bulls a fresh option who has recent competitive momentum. Expect the coaching staff to weigh his readiness against the need for immediate defensive stability and the tactical plan set for new england vs ny red bulls.
Details of broadcast and radio coverage are available through team channels. The short-term agreement and Dos Santos' availability are confirmed for the squad list on matchday; further roster moves would be announced by the club if they occur.
