Your kickoff on Thursday: Can the New York Red Bulls break their MLS Cup curse?

Saturday. 4 p.m. ET. MLS Cup 2024 presented by Audi. (Apple TV – Free; FOX, FOX Deportes; TSN, RDS).

Seattle announces year-end roster changes

Star forward Raúl Ruidíaz is out of contract and leaving Seattle after seven seasons, opening up a spot on the Designated Player roster. The Peru international is the Sounders’ all-time leading scorer in all competitions (86 goals). Two other headlines: Seattle is in talks with out-of-contract midfielders João Paulo and Albert Rusnák about new contracts. The full list of moves can be found here.

We often have to look back to understand the future. The New York Red Bulls have been playing football since 1996. They are one of three MLS Originals without an MLS Cup. Columbus, DC United, Colorado, Sporting KC, San Jose and of course the Galaxy all have at least one. New York, New England and FC Dallas don’t have any.

What sets New York apart in this trio is its unique level of playoff futility. This season, the club has reached the Audi MLS Cup playoffs in 25 of its 29 seasons. This also includes her current run. They have only made it to the Conference Finals/MLS Semifinals five times. They have only made it to the MLS Cup once, this year they made it twice for the 25th time.

They finished first in their conference six times during that time. None of these teams made it to the MLS Cup.

In 2000, the MetroStars reached the MLS semifinals before losing to the Chicago Fire by six points to three in a three-game series. (The first team to five points wins. No, really). They were tied in the final moments of the third game before Ante Razov scored the goal in the 88th minute.

The 2010 team stumbled out of the gate, losing 3-2 on aggregate to San Jose after winning their first game 1-0 on the road. New York’s Juan Pablo Ángel made it 2-2 in the 78th minute of the second leg, but Chris Wondolowski put the game away three minutes later.

In 2013, the Red Bulls, who won the Supporters’ Shield, met Houston in overtime in the conference semifinals. Omar Cummings scored for Dynamo in the 104th minute of the second leg to send New York home. In 2015, the Red Bulls team that won the Supporters’ Shield with 60 points made it to the Conference Finals, conceding, no joke, a goal to Justin Meram in the first 10 seconds of the first leg and falling 2- 2 Total 1. It was (and most likely still is?) the fastest goal in MLS playoff history.

Then there’s 2018. The best Red Bulls team of all time set a points record, won the Supporters’ Shield and seemed almost unstoppable for most of the year. Then, under head coach Chris Armas, they inexplicably changed their high-pressing setup in the conference finals in Atlanta. New York defeated the Five Stripes in both regular season games that year. But on this night, Atlanta United took full advantage of the Red Bulls’ big change and won 3-1 on aggregate.

And these are simply the best Red Bulls teams. The 2008 team finished fifth in their conference before making it to the MLS Cup. They tied the score at 1-1 in the 51st minute, but Columbus scored two minutes later and never looked back for a 3-1 win. The 2014 team made it to the conference final against the Revs, but a brace from Charlie Davies in the second leg sent them home.

Now we are here. With New York just one win away from doing what 24 other playoff teams failed to do. We are witnessing the first real curse break in MLS history. A win on Saturday wouldn’t make any of that worth it, but it would make a win the most liberating moment in league history.

There are fans who have been following this team since 1996. Even those who haven’t been around for that long have experienced some level of athletic pain. It’s built into the DNA of the Red Bulls fandom at this point. They may not know what to do with themselves if New York actually pulls it off. But once they get over the initial shock, they’ll be fine. A little more than okay.

We are about to see something special. And shockingly, it’s not one of the best Red Bulls teams to ever come close to a title. It’s a team that had terrible results down the stretch, finishing seventh in the conference. Hot at the right time seems to be an understatement. But man, whether it’s a few breaks, a throwback to normality, or divine intervention, it’s time for some things to take their course. Maybe it’s the first time that everything goes well in the last game of the year.

Good luck out there. Give every moment the reverence it deserves.