AJ Marcucci's 2025 Season Comes to a Devastating End

Photo Credit: Denny Quinteros (photosbydenny1)

Wednesday night in Philadelphia saw not only the New York Red Bulls eliminated from the US Open Cup, but their backup goalkeeper, AJ Marcucci, subbed off the field in the 93rd minute of the game with an apparent knee injury.

The worst possible outcome came to light when the Red Bulls announced that Marcucci had ruptured the ACL in his left knee. The West Chester, Pennsylvania, native's 2025 season has come to an end, and whether he'll be ready for the 2026 season is now up in the air.

This injury comes at a relatively bad time in Marcucci's young career. Carlos Coronel, who has been the starter for the Red Bulls for the last five seasons, is out of contract at the end of the season, and the pathway to the net for Marcucci was wide open.

Marcucci had become a steady and reliable goalkeeper for head coach Sandro Schwarz, being named the starting goalkeeper in Cup competitions, and has been a spot starter when Coronel has been injured or on international duty.

In six games this season, Marcucci was undefeated with a 4-2-0 record, with the two draws ending in shootout victories, and conceding just six goals.

With the trust he had gained these past 12 months from his 2024 loan in Finland and his performances this season, Marcucci was all but set to be handed the starter's net in 2026 once Coronel became a free agent. Now that time for the 26-year-old will be put on hold for the time being.

It will be an uphill battle for Marcucci to regain the momentum he had at this point in his career. For homegrown striker Roald Mitchell, it took more than a year to get back onto the field after tearing his ACL in early 2024. Especially for a goalkeeper, there's no telling when AJ will be 100% confident to push off and dive with his left knee.

With Marcucci out for the rest of the season, it opens the door for 17-year-old homegrown goalkeeper Aidan Stokes to get an extended look as the backup goalkeeper for Sandro Schwarz and maybe even grab his first senior start.

Check out my sit-down interview earlier this year with Aidan Stokes. A goalkeeper with a whole lot of potential

Down in MLS Next PRO, Stokes has an excellent second professional season. Stokes has been a leader from the back and has New York Red Bulls II currently sitting in first place in the Eastern Conference.

In 19 third-division matches, Stokes has been a calming presence for the baby bulls, making 45 saves, three penalty saves, and picking up four clean sheets. Stokes, by all accounts, can become the future number one goalkeeper for Red Bull in the coming years, so this promotion to the senior team could jump-start that process as soon as next season if New York believes that strongly in the U17 US International.

With only eight games remaining in the 2025 season, the New York Red Bulls are limping to the finish line. New midfield signing Gustav Berggren's visa hasn't been approved yet, Lewis Morgan is still rehabbing from his lower-body injury, and now Eric Choupo-Moting is dealing with a knee injury.

The Red Bulls' 15-year playoff streak is on the line as they currently sit in 10th place, tied with the Chicago Fire for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. If the team fails to make the playoffs, Sandro Schwarz, fair or unfairly, could be without a job in 2026.