Mar 15, 2025; Harrison, New Jersey, USA; New York Red Bulls forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (13) in action during the first half against Orlando City at Red Bull Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
New York Red Bulls head coach Sandro Schwarz said New England Revolution's turf pitch will be in the back of his mind as his side travels to Gillette Stadium Saturday after picking up a number of injuries in the early weeks of the season.
The Red Bulls have taken eight points from their opening five games of the 2025 season but have accumulated a considerable injury list, with Lewis Morgan and Cameron Harper ruled out indefinitely after suffering injuries before and during the club's home opener against Nashville on March 1.
New signings Marcelo Morales and Wiktor Bogacz have also yet to feature for the Red Bulls as they recover from knee and back injuries respectively.
Speaking ahead of Saturday's trip to New England, one of six MLS clubs to use a turf field, Schwarz said the field will be on his mind, especially with four players returning from international duty.
"We have to be careful," Schwarz said Thursday. "Not only the turf, also our load, with some national players the last 10 days."
Bogacz, who signed from Miedz Legnica over the winter, appeared on the bench for the first time as a Red Bulls player during last weekend's 2-1 victory over Toronto and Schwarz believes that the 20-year-old Polish striker will be "ready" for Saturday's game in New England.
Schwarz said Bogacz is not ready to go directly into the starting line-up but added that the youngster may be in line to make his Red Bulls debut off the bench.
Schwarz also confirmed that Morales continues to recover from a knee injury that has kept him out of all five MLS games since moving to New York from Universidad de Chile during the transfer window, stating that the 21-year-old left-back will join first-team training next Tuesday.
"Hopefully, then as quick as possible, we see him on the matchday field," Schwarz said.
The German coach also talked up the importance of the warm-up ahead of Saturday's clash with New England in order for his players to adapt to the turf field.
The Red Bulls have been training on a grass field all week ahead of Saturday's game, with Schwarz emphasizing the importance of a "good warm-up" in order for his side to get a feel for the turf surface.
New England has taken just one point from their opening four games of the MLS season, scoring just once in that period - courtesy of an own goal against NYCFC. Schwarz said he is encouraging his players not to dwell on previous games this season and "be ready" with energy and intensity.
The Red Bulls have gone down to successive 1-0 defeats at Gillette Stadium in their last two MLS games at the venue and have lost five of their last games at New England in the league, winning just once there since 2017.
Red Bulls defender Sean Nealis outlined several factors for the club's poor form in New England, pointing to difficulties adjusting to the artificial turf at Gillette Stadium as well as difficulties adjusting to the size of the venue and the New England winds.
"(You're) trying to get your feet set, and then all of a sudden you're losing momentum in the game," Nealis said. "And I think we have to go out, have a great start, and then kind of build our momentum slowly but surely throughout the game."