Former Toronto captain Michael Bradley returns to BMO Field at Red Bulls' helm

Toronto FC midfielder Michael Bradley reacts after tying the Orlando City FC 1-1, in MLS soccer action in Toronto, on Saturday, August 10, 2019. A home playoff game is on the line as Toronto FC, unbeaten in nine league games (3-0-6), looks to beat Columbus Crew SC and climb past the New York Red Bulls and D.C. United in the Eastern Conference standings as the MLS regular season come to a close Sunday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

TORONTO — Former Toronto FC captain Michael Bradley returns to BMO Field on Saturday, this time as coach of the New York Red Bulls.

For the 38-year-old Bradley, it’s familiar ground having made 308 appearances across 10 seasons with Toronto before retiring after the 2023 campaign. Only current captain Jonathan Osorio, at 398, had made more appearances for the franchise.

“I’m excited to come back to Toronto,” Bradley said. “A lot of good people there, a lot of good people in and around the club, BMO’s a great stadium. It’s their home opener. So I think it will be a great afternoon.”

“l’ve said this a lot of different ways, a lot of different times — I gave everything I had in my time in Toronto, from the second I got there until the second I left,” he added. “And I think what we did and what we were able to accomplish was pretty unique and pretty special and ultimately speaks for itself.”

Bradley is part of TFC history, having led the club to the treble in 2017 when it won the Supporters’ Shield, MLS Cup and Canadian Championship. And he was hard to miss, the first player to survey the playing surface before every game at BMO Field.

“A little bit weird for him on the other side but I’m sure he’s going to be very warmly welcomed by the fans and everybody,” said Osorio.

The stadium looks different these days, with temporary stands for the World Cup looming at the north and south ends. Weather could be a factor with snow forecast for Friday and a high of 1C on Saturday.

Toronto (1-2-0) looks to build on a 1-0 victory over FC Cincinnati, its first-ever win at TQL Stadium, while the Red Bulls (2-1-0) hope to bounce back from a 3-0 loss to visiting CF Montreal.

Saturday could well see the debut of Josh Sargent, Toronto’s newly acquired designated player.

“Josh is eligible and I probably think we’ll see him for some minutes,” said head coach Robin Fraser.

The 26-year-old U.S. international last played Jan. 4 for Norwich City in a 2-0 loss to Stoke City in England’s second-tier Championship. He was subsequently relegated to training with Norwich’s under-21 team as his transfer to Toronto — worth up to US27 million — slowly progressed.

Bradley is well acquainted with Fraser, his Toronto counterpart, given Fraser served as an assistant coach under Greg Vanney during TFC’s glory years.

“We spent a lot of good days together, had a lot of success together … Robin is a good man,” said Bradley.

“Michael eats, sleeps and breathes soccer,” said Fraser. “There was no question he was going to coach. And there’s no question he’s going to be a good coach.”

The Red Bulls arrive riding a 13-game unbeaten run (9-0-4) against Toronto, which is looking for its first win against the New Yorkers since a 3-0 decision July 2019 at BMO Field. The Red Bulls hold a 24-9-11 edge in 44 regular-season meetings with TFC.

Teenage forward Julian Hall leads the Red Bulls with three goals. The 17-year-old scored both goals in New York’s season-opening 2-1 win at Orlando, becoming the fifth player in MLS history to record multiple goals in a game at the age of 17 or younger. Hall had the lone goal in the subsequent 1-0 victory over visiting New England.

Bradley also gave starts to 16-year-old midfielder Adri Mehmeti and 17-year-old defender Matthew Dos Santos against Orlando, making the Red Bulls the first team in MLS history to start three players aged 17 or younger in a regular-season match.

Both the Red Bulls and Toronto are works in progress, with Bradley in his first year at the helm and Toronto looking to blend in new talent.

“Like everywhere we continue to try to see the best way to put the pieces together,” said Bradley. “The football that we are playing is different this year … And we’re still in the early days, so we’re trying to figure out what our best group is.”

The Red Bulls roster includes former TFC defender Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty.

“I know Jahkeele well and I know firsthand what he brings to a group,” said Bradley. “So we’re really excited to have him here … I think he’s had a strong start to the season.”

Toronto’s Raheem Edwards and Derrick Etienne Jr. both had stints with the Red Bulls.

Toronto, celebrating its 20th season, is looking to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2020.

“The fans are hungry for something good,” said Fraser.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 13, 2026.

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press